The committee assists the bishops, both collectively and individually, in fulfilling their role as evangelizers and chief catechists in their dioceses by addressing all aspects of evangelization and catechesis for adults, youth, and children.
A series of six podcasts that brings bishops and young adults into real, honest conversation, going to young people where they are, highlighting the diversity of the Church and responds to the hopes, questions, and longings shaping a new generation...
Below is an excerpt from his address to catechists:
"...Evangelization is essential to the missionary call of proclaiming the faith, involving the invitation to conversion and relationship with Jesus Christ. Catechesis proceeds from the evangelizing efforts of proclamation, witness and this two-fold invitation. Though distinct, evangelization and catechesis are necessarily dependent upon one another."
Archbishop Charles Thompson speaks about the ongoing work of the Committee for Evangelization and Catechesis.
*Los subtítulos en español están disponibles en el vídeo.
*Spanish subtitles available on video
I am pleased to welcome you to the website for the Secretariat of Evangelization and Catechesis!
*Desplácese hacia abajo para ver este mensaje en español
I am pleased to welcome you to the website for the Secretariat of Evangelization and Catechesis!
The work of the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis assists the bishops, both collectively and individually, in fulfilling their role as evangelizers and chief catechists in their dioceses by addressing all aspects of evangelization and catechesis for adults, youth, and children —inviting people to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, forming them as missionary disciples, and then sending them on mission. Pope Francis teaches in Evangelii Gaudium (n. 164): “We have rediscovered the fundamental role of the first announcement or kerygma, which needs to be the center of all evangelizing activity and all efforts at Church renewal….On the lips of the catechist the first proclamation must ring out over and over: ‘Jesus Christ loves you; he gave his life to save you; and now he is living at your side every day to enlighten, strengthen and free you’.” As Saint Paul says, “For we do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord” (2 Cor 4:5).
Indeed, rooted in the vision of the Second Vatican Council and subsequent teachings of the Papal Magisterium, the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis has crafted the following description of this kerygmatic approach to catechesis. “At the heart of the Church’s mission to all people, an evangelizing catechesis seeks to deepen a personal encounter with Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit:1 It proclaims the core message of the Gospel, the kerygma2 it accompanies people to a response of faith and conversion to Christ;3 it provides a systematic exposition of God’s revelation within the communion of the Catholic Church;4 and it sends out missionary disciples as witnesses to the good news of salvation5 who promote a new vision of life, of humanity, of justice, and of human fraternity.”6
If unity is the condition of mission, love is its essence. The Good News that we are sent to proclaim to the world is not an abstract ideal; it is the Gospel of God’s faithful love, which became flesh in the face and life of Jesus Christ.
For the 100th World Mission Day, Pope Leo XIV reminds us,
The mission of the disciples and the Church as a whole is to continue the mission of Christ in the Holy Spirit: a mission born of love, lived in love, and leading to love. In fact, the Lord himself, in his great prayer to the Father before his Passion, after invoking unity among his disciples, concludes: “so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them” (Jn 17:26). Impelled by the love of Christ, the Apostles then went out to evangelize for Christ (cf. 2 Cor 5:14). In the same way, throughout the centuries, multitudes of Christians — martyrs, confessors and missionaries — have given their lives to make this divine love known to the world. Thus, guided by the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of love, the Church’s evangelizing mission will continue until the end of time.”
On these web pages we aim to provide a variety of resources infused with the vision for an evangelizing Church, as well as information to assist you in your pastoral ministries. These pages are updated periodically with new materials; older materials may be found in our archives by using the search feature. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact members of our staff at @email.
Thank you for your ongoing “yes” to the Lord, and please pray for the work of the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis.
In Christ,
Archbishop Charles C. Thompson
Chairman
Evangelization and Catechesis Committee Mandate
¡Me da gusto darles la bienvenida a la página web del Secretariado de Evangelización y Catequesis!
El trabajo del Comité de Evangelización y Catequesis encuentra su centro en la visión kerigmática del Papa Francisco—invitar a las personas a un encuentro renovado y personal con Jesucristo, formándolos como discípulos misioneros y luego enviándolos a la misión. Como escribe el Santo Padre en el Evangelii Gaudium (n. 164): “Hemos redescubierto que también en la catequesis tiene un rol fundamental el primer anuncio o «kerygma», que debe ocupar el centro de la actividad evangelizadora y de todo intento de renovación eclesial...En la boca del catequista vuelve a resonar siempre el primer anuncio: «Jesucristo te ama, dio su vida para salvarte, y ahora está vivo a tu lado cada día, para iluminarte, para fortalecerte, para liberarte»”.
De hecho, inspirado por la visión del Santo Padre, el Comité de Evangelización y Catequesis ha elaborado la siguiente definición de este enfoque kerigmático de la catequesis. “En el corazón de la misión de la Iglesia hacia todas las personas, una catequesis evangelizadora busca profundizar un encuentro personal con Jesucristo a través del poder del Espíritu Santo:1 Proclama el mensaje central del Evangelio, el kerigma;2 acompaña a las personas a una respuesta de fe y conversión a Cristo;3 proporciona una exposición sistemática de la revelación de Dios dentro de la comunión de la Iglesia Católica; 4 y envía discípulos misioneros como testigos de la buena nueva de la salvación5 y que promueven una nueva visión de la vida, de la humanidad, de la justicia y de la fraternidad humana.”6
En estas páginas pretendemos proporcionar una variedad de recursos infundidos con la visión de una Iglesia sinodal, así como información para ayudarle en sus ministerios pastorales. Estas páginas se actualizan periódicamente con nuevos materiales; se pueden encontrar materiales más antiguos en nuestros archivos utilizando la función de búsqueda.
Si tiene preguntas, no dude en ponerse en contacto con miembros de nuestro personal usando @email
Gracias por su continuo “sí” al Señor y por favor oren por el trabajo del Comité de Evangelización y Catequesis.
En Cristo,
Arzobispo Charles C. Thompson
Presidente
Evangelization and Catechesis Committee Mandate
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Living as Missionary Disciples provides dioceses, parishes, and other Church ministries with a road map to "new paths for the Church's journey" of evangelization. It is not intended to provide a ready-made program for a parish to follow or a detailed strategic plan to implement. Rather, it offers principles that dioceses and parishes can apply to their efforts in evangelization and missionary discipleship.
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