ANNUAL MEETING OF CATECHETICAL MINISTERS IN GENERAL SANTOS CITY

THE DELEGATES TO THE ANNUAL MEETING OF CATECHETICAL MINISTERS FROM THE DIFFERENT DIOCESES OF THE PHILIPPINES

THE NORTHERN LUZON DELEGATES

Fr. Fredel, COAT Director, and Sr. Auria, COAT Coordinator, with Fathers Floro Bautista of Bangued and Crispin Reyes of San Fernando, La Union during a session of the Annual Meeting of Catechetical Ministers.

Sr. Auria with Sr. Vangie of Laoag and Fr. Crispin Reyes.

SACRAMENTUM CARITATIS AND CATECHESIS

Liturgy guru, Fr. Anscar Chupungco, OSB, gave the second session of day 2 of the Annual Meeting of Catechetical Ministers at the Family Country Hotel in General Santos City on July 8, 2008. The afternoon session was dedicated to the study of the Post-Synodal Exhortation of Pope Benedict XVI, Sacramentum Caritatis. He emphasized that the exhortation does not treat directly the task of catechists but it contains points that need to be implemented through catechetical activity. Quoting Sacramentum Caritatis, n. 19, he reminded us that all the celebration of the sacraments are venues of catechesis. The Pope stresses in the document: "Receiving Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion are key moments not only for the individual receiving them but also for the entire family...". Fr. Chupungco reminded us the need to involve the parents in the pre-sacramental celebration. There is a need to emphasize on adult confession to prepare not only the children but also the parents who are in need of the gift of reconciliation. We are to catechized not only the children but also their parents so that they can make a good confession. He also told us that first communion should take place in the parish, not in schools. The catechesis on the pastoral care of the sick, the Sacrament of Holy Orders and the Sacrament of Marriage were also contained in his talk.

CATECHETICAL MINISTERS GATHER IN GENSAN

ECCLESIA DE EUCHARISTIA AND CATECHESIS

Fr. Anscar Chupungco, OSB gave the first session on Ecclesia de Eucaristia and Catechesis at the second day of the Annual Meeting of Catechetical Ministers in General Santos City. In his introductory remarks he insisted that catechists should learn liturgy since catechists are liturgists. Good liturgical celebrations are catechesis in action (Evangelium Nuntiandi, n. 47). Quoting John Paul II, he read: "Catechesis is intrinsically linked with the whole of liturgical and sacramental activity, for it is in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, that Christ Jesus works in fullness for the transformation of human beings" (Catechesis Tradendae, n. 23). He also quoted the General Catechetical Directory of the Congregation for the Clergy which states: "One task of catechesis is to foster active, conscious, and genuine participation in liturgical celebrations, especially the Eucharist; catechesis is at the service of the Vatican II's liturgical program of active participation" (n, 97). He emphasized on the need to read the general instruction of the liturgical books in order to explain properly the liturgical symbols used in the sacraments and other liturgical celebrations. Centering on John Paul II's Ecclesia de Eucharistia, he said that for catechists the method used by the Pope is a challenge to explain the meaning of the Eucharist in a more meditative and exhortative manner. Catechists are to possess a Eucharistic spirituality inorder for them to go beyond doctrinal exposition on the Eucharist. Catechists are to live the Eucharist - they have to have a personal experience of Jesus Christ. He reiterated the sacrificial aspect of the Eucharist and the social dimension of the celebration. Fr. Chupungco said that catechists have the task to promote not only active participation in the Eucharistic celebration but also personal adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. The task of catechists is closely related to the preaching ministry of priests. Catechists are to promote communion among the faithful since the Eucharist pressuposes the existence of communion in the Church (cf. Ecclesia de Eucharistia, n. 35). Catechists are to promote and catechize the faithful to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation so that they can fully participate in the Eucharist. We also have to promote the dignity of the Eucharistic celebration. Therefore, catechists are to help in the careful preparation of the sacred vessels, linens, vestments, and other liturgical objects used in the celebration of the Mass. Culminating his talk, he urged catechists to lead the faithful to learn at the school of Mary how to nurture the gift of Christ's body that they receive in Holy Communion.

COAT DIRECTOR AND COORDINATOR IN GENSAN

The Catechetical Director, Fr. Fredel Agatep, and the Catechetical Coordinator, Sr. Auria Arabit, SDP, of the Catechetical Office of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao (COAT), are attending the Annual Meeting of Catechetical Ministers in the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, General Santos City, from July 7-11 at the Family Country Hotel. This annual convention is convened by Bishop Socrates Villegas, Chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education. This gathering of catechetical ministers centers on the theme: "Catechesis in the service of the Eucharist." Among the invited speakers are Fr. Anscar Chupungco, OSB, Fr. Genaro Diwa and Fr. Gerry Santos.

THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Gifts of the Holy Spirit enable us to live a holy Christian life. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are:

Wisdom - the desire for the things of God, and to direct our whole life and all our actions to His honor and glory.

Understanding - enables us to know more clearly the mysteries of faith.

Counsel - warns us of the deceits of the devil, and of the dangers to salvation.

Fortitude - strengthens us to do the will of God in all things.

Knowledge - enables us to discover the will of God in all things.

Piety - enables us to love God as a Father, and obey Him because we love Him.

Fear of the Lord - makes us to dread sin and fear of offending God.

THE VOCATION OF A CATECHIST

Catechists are those who are called to serve through teaching, witness, prayer, service and building community. Catechists minister to adults, youth and children in a variety of locations and programs: parish faith formation & religious education programs, youth ministry programs, sacramental preparation, family programs, Scripture study, and more. Through word and example, catechists teach the Catholic faith and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Catechists have a vocation...a calling from the Lord rooted in Baptism to carry out His mandate to teach the Gospel.

The call and response to become a catechist is recognized in the local Church by the bishop. The response to this call includes willingness to give one's time and talent, not only to catechizing others, but to one's own growth and understanding of the faith. The call to this ministry often comes through the parish priest, catechetical leader, a church worker, or another catechist.

Catechists must possess and exhibit qualities or characteristics necessary to give credible witness to the Gospel. A catechist must: be a model of Catholic Christian faith and lifestyle; participate in the spiritual, theological, and methodological training and formation provided by the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao; and give sufficient preparation time for the catechetical task.

If you are interested and convinced that you have a calling to be a catechist of children, youth, or adults in the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao, contact your parish priest or Fr. Fredel Agatep, Director of the Catechetical Office of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao.