On the way to Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" After the disciples enumerated some of the people's understanding, Jesus asked them a more personal question, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter responded for them, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God." (Matthew 16:13-16) However, affirming a personal relationship with God " so precious a gift " begets a great responsibility. Jesus later would mission them: "go and make disciples of all nations." (Matthew 28:19)
We are all invited into this personal relationship with God so that we, too, can carry forth the "Good News to every sector of the human race" (Evangelium Nuntiandi, No. 18), for the Church "exists in order to evangelize." (EN, No. 14) We evangelize by bringing the hearts of all people to a personal relationship with God as our Lord and Savior, Jesus, the Son of the Living God. The General Directory for Catechesis states that the process of evangelization has several "'essential moments:' missionary activity directed toward nonbelievers and those who lie in religious indifference; initial catechetical activity for those who choose the Gospel and for those who need to complete or modify their initiation; pastoral activity directed toward the Christian faithful of mature faith in the bosom of the Christian community." (GDC, No. 49)
Our diocese clearly expresses this mission to evangelize in the pastoral initiatives of the Third Diocesan Synod. I am particularly pleased that we have a broad, shared concern for the ongoing Christian instruction and formation of our Catholic faithful In line with the Synod's initiatives and the direction called for in the National Directory for Catechesis, we have made some changes in the Secretariat for Pastoral Ministry. We brought together the Department of Catholic Faith Formation and the Office of Evangelization to form the new Department of Evangelization and Catechesis. This change will give us a broader vision, help focus our ministry and direction as we continue to respond to the priorities of the Synod.
Dear friends, I urge us all to encourage and help each other to promote and deepen our knowledge of the faith. Let us be creative in engaging people of every age, gender, ethnicity, and cultural background. (Synod, p. 6) The Church uses tools such as Little Rock Scripture Study, Disciples in Mission/Journey, as well as the Basic Catechist Certification classes offered at several sites by our Lay Formation Institute. As we lead our people to "the gradual grasping of the whole truth about the divine plan," (DCG, 1971, No. 24) we also bring them to a fuller, more conscious and active participation in the liturgy, especially in the Eucharist.
We celebrate National Catechetical Sunday on September 17. This is an opportune time for all of us to reflect on our personal role in the teaching mission of the Church. What are we doing "to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ?" ("Catechesi Tradendae," No. 5) Let Jesus' final mandate to his disciples echo in the hearts of all of us, "Go and make disciples of all nations."
