While a dynamic retreat can be a powerful experience in the life of a teenager, perhaps no greater influence exists than the place of the catechist in the life of a young person. While a one-time speaker can be witty, inspiring and even challenging to an audience, he/she lacks some fundamental gifts that the ongoing catechist can offer.
First, the catechist offers a certain “witness of life”, which Pope Paul VI proclaims is of vital importance in the authenticity of one’s message. In Evangelization in the Modern World, Paul VI speaks of the need for many different mediums to get across the message of Christ. First and foremost: personal example. If your life backs up what you are teaching in the classroom or home-setting, you will certainly, if slowly, get across your message.
Second, the ongoing catechist has the privilege of getting to know the students with whom he/she works. There is nothing better than greeting a teenager with an acknowledgement of their name. “I can’t believe you remembered my name!” I’ve often heard teens say this and it reflects a certain missionary mindset that each catechist can develop over time. Being willing to invest a portion of our lives into those of adolescents, we receive tenfold the blessings from God. The other benefit is that the kids can develop trust in you and your work, so that each week and month becomes easier and more rich.
Thirdly, the catechist has the opportunity to develop a curriculum or series of programs which specifically and realistically meet the needs of your audience. The speaker or presenter has his/her own talk already prepared. A good speaker can adjust on the fly but a great catechist has flexibility in his veins, providing the grease for the engine of God to operate by. There is certainly going to be a set of goals or topics (perhaps given by the Diocese, etc.) but the atmosphere and culture of catechesis can provide the environment of true learning. The structure or outline of each session is merely a backbone for you to shine as a catechist and for kids to truly come to know not only their faith, but also the One who makes faith possible.
(Michael K. St. Pierre is a teacher of theology at Oratory Prep School in Summit, NJ, and co-founder of CatholicVentures.com.)
