Passing down the Faith
(Excerpt from The Catholic Miscellany)
According to St. Thomas Aquinas, “To teach in order to lead others to faith is the task of every preacher and every believer.” In reality, all of us are catechists, because spreading the Gospel and the faith is technically everyone’s responsibility. Every baptized individual is called to “ECHO” God’s word and to build up the kingdom of God.
The requirements to become a Catechist in the Diocese of Charleston are:
- Active Catholics in good standing with the Church.
- Approved by the pastor and parish director of religious education.
- Pass a background check.
- Complete the VIRTUS training program required of all catechists and volunteers who potentially work with children.
Other important aspects are living their faith in a vibrant and visible way, and show why Church teaching (doctrine) is meaningful in their personal life. You do not need to be an expert in theology or Church doctrine. You need to have a willingness to be trained, to committee the time to plan classes, and to seek out resources.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Catechism of the Catholic Church, Multiple versions available
United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
YOUCAT, Ignatius Press
The Catholic Source Book, Brown-Roa/Harcourt Brace Co.
A Well Built Faith, by Joe Paprocki, Loyola Press
A Compact History of the Catholic Church, by Alan Schreck, St. Anthony Messenger Press
Invitation to Catholicism, by Alice Camille, ACTA
Saint of the Day, St. Anthony Messenger Press
Catholic Study Bible, Oxford University Press
The Catholic Children’s Bible, St. Mary’s Press