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9-1-2006Read:

St Patrick’s SummerDei Verbumdo questionnaire

Catechesis: what’d they say?Matt 28:16-20 the Great Commission; go make disciples of all the nations; the Church

passes on the Deposit of Faith1 Corinthians 12:27 first apostles, second prophets, third teachersJames 3:1 not many should become teachers; we will be judged more strictly (because

of our added responsibility of those we teach)Matt 18:6 whoever causes one of these to sin, it would be better to be cast into the sea

w/a millstoneEternity is at stake!Catechesis: katechein: to echo or pass down; we got it from Greek; Acts 18:25 and Gal

6:6 “instruction in the Way”Catechesi TradendaeCatechetics: the science, skill, or discipline related to handing on the FaithCatechetical: of or having to do with CatechesisCatechist: one who hands on the FaithCatechism: an instrument of torture for catechetics students... no, it’s an instrument

used for handing on the FaithCatechumen: one to whom the Faith is being handed on; specifically, one who is unbap-

tized and is preparing for baptism; one who is already validly baptized and is pre-paring to become Catholic is not a Catechumen, but is a candidate for completion of initiation, such as Confirmandi; a la RCIA

Catecumenate: process or institution by which catechumens are prepared for the Sacraments of Initiation (RCIA)9-4-2006

next time: Dei Verbum quiz questions 27-50

St Patrick Ch 3Catechumenal Process: a model for catechizing within which all catechetical teaching

should take place; It is a pastoral process, a liturgical process, and a catechetical process (the content of the Deposit of Faith is delivered in an organic way)

One of the weaknesses of this program is the lack of field experience, and the lack of catechesis opportunities for small children. There is an internship available (CAT 400). Ask Candice? Suzanne Louis (Lewis?) is the coordinator

Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation: Dei Verbum Vatican Council 2: 1962-1965, Pope John XXIII and Pope Paul VI (also Bishop Carol Wojtyla); Liturgy: Sacrosanc-tum Concilium; Church in Modern World Gaudium et Spes (Joy and Hope); Church - Lumen Gentium

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9-8-2006History of Catechesis: questions we should consider on behalf of our students

1. Why does this matter to me?2. What does it have to do with catechesis today?

in the begginig, there was fish...beginning of catechesis: Revelation: Mediator and Fullness: Jesus, first catechist

of the Catholic Church; before He left, He left some instructions for His apos-tles (MT 28:16-20, the Great Commission)

Guard the Deposit: the job of the Church throughout historyApostolic Succession: 1 Timothy 6:20, 2 Timothy 1:6

Age of the Martyrs: what does it have to do with us today? What do the martyrs confront in today’s culture? INDIFFERENCE. Martyrs were accused of many things, but indif-ference was not one of them.

Catechumenate of the Fathers313: Edict of Milan; really good news, but it brought with it some difficulties.

9-11-2006Forgot the reading log. In fact, I haven’t read at all this week.

The Edict of MilanDark Ages; result from the secular events surrounding the collapse of the Roman Em-

pireFaith preserved through:

Monasteries in the European wildernessFamilies

MendicantsSt Francis, FranciscansSt Dominic, Dominicans“given to begging”

ScholasticsUniversitySt Thomas AquinasSt BonaventurePassed on the Faith through a focus on the union of faith and reason

Protestant ReformationSola Scriptura - Scripture aloneSola Fides - Faith alone“Political expediency”: German princes wanted to be “independent” of Rome

Counter (Catholic) ReformationSt Ignatius of Loyola (Jesuits, or SJ)Theresa of AvilaBorromeo SJCanisius SJCardinal Robert BellarmineFrancis Xavier

Enlightenmentsocial troubles of the time were not properly addressed by the Church

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Atheistic philosophy, Rationalismoften associated with the American and French Revolutionsthis era also eventually gave rise to communism

Nineteenth CenturyVatican Icritical methods Biblical scholarship

20th centuryPope St Pius X: great battle with modernism1914 WWI1917 Russia, Ireland, Fatima1929 Depression, crash, Black Thursday33 Hitler39 WWII; Holocaust; Communism1950 Assumption1962 Vatican 2

Modernism resurfacesGabriel Moran - denying Revelation as we know itThomas Groome - attacks traditional methodology of the Church, replaces

with “Faith sharing”1968 Encyclical by Pope Paul VI: Humanae Vitae

prohibition of artificial means of contraceptionnot well received, because:sexual revolutionvietnamrace riotsthere was an aura of revolt about the country

Charles Curran - CUA - Catholic Univ. of AmericaMsgr. Eugene Kevane - support of the Church cost him his job

1970 - est. Notre Dame Catechetical Institute in northern VAFr. Michael Scalan at College of Steubenville1980 - Sr. Johanna studies under Kevane1990 - Barbara Morgan to NDI1993 - Morgan invited to FUS to establish a Catechetics program1995 - former jet pilot and mech. engineer studies under Morgan, then gets sent

off to Peoria2000 - Sr Johanna comes from Peoria to attend to the needs of growing number

of Cat students2002 - CAT becomes its own major2004 - Bolster2006 - us?

9-13-2006Msgr. Eugene Kevane

Love of WisdomJesus the Divine Teacheret al

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Feast of St. John Chrysostom, golden-mouthedgrading questionnaire today (Teaching the Catholic Faith Today, Introduction)CCD - Confraternity of Christian DoctrinePSR - Parish School of ReligionCatholic School

9-15-2006On Catechesis in Our Time CT 1-20Catechesi Tradendae JP2 1979

9-18-2006On Catechesis in our Time (Catechesi Tradendae) 1979 JP21. What is Christocentricity?

GDC 98 (CT 5) fundamental taskCT 5 definitive aim of CatechesisCT 6 teacher & taughtGDC 53 conversion to JesusSheed - an influence on St. Patrick’s Summer; indispensable minimum: devotion

to Jesus Christ: THIS IS WHAT WILL MATTER! how many did you lead to Him in your Catechesis career?

Prologue of CCC1 Cor 2:2 Jesus Christ Crucified

2. How do we make our catechesis Christocentric?What does this have to do with Jesus?If it’s not clear to you, it’s not gonna be clear to your students.

five-page paper (at least 5, no more than six) due a week from Wednesdayquestions to answer:

what is Christocentricity?quoted sparingly, cited heavilymay be relatively informaldon’t need works cited, cuz we know what docs to citethis will demonstrate that we can articulate a fundamental aspect of catechesis

(bulk of grade)what does the Church say about it?why does this matter?how do I make my teaching Christocentric?What do the dinosaurs have to do with Jesus?In short, they are the gasoline we expended to come here to learn about Jesus.

9-20-20063. Jesus is the Teacher and the Taught

ideally, He teaches through us, about who He iswe teach on His behalfwe teach Jesus, and everything in reference to Himintroduce them to the One Teacher

4. Relationship with Christ is necessary for a Christocentric Catechesis (CT 9)

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If you’re going to introduce them to the One Teacher, you’d do well to know Him yourself

GDC 142: teachers must be disciples

9-22-2006Aims of CatechesisCatechesi Tradendae 1979 JP2

CT 1: Catechesis is one of the Church’s primary tasksand so is making disciples (CT 1)

CT 4 Mystery of Christ in the WorldCT 5 Primary and essential object (more Scripture!)

Mystery: God can be known with certainty through the natural order in the light of human reason

There are other things (Revelation) which we could not know without His having told us

It makes senseWe can understand it, but not fullyWhat we teach is what Christ taught; if we cannot teach Mystery to the satisfac-

tion of our students, the fault is with us, not with Christ’s teaching.Communicating the Person of Jesus Christ is our primary task as Catechists.

Jerusalem Bible: Church is the Dispenser of the Mysterieson a gumball machine: “Mysteries: 1¢”

Col 1:26-27: Christ in you

Aims of Catechesis: CT 20: The aims of catechesis include developing an understand-ing of the Mystery of Christ in light of God’s Word

He lives within us, and thus He changes usWe teach for conversion

9-25-2006Fri CT 35-55CT 21: need for systematic catechesisCT 22: orthopraxis and orthodoxy: practice and beliefSystematic Catechesis is the solution to many of the failings in catechesis today, esp. in

the high school classroomCT 32c: an ecumenical element is expected in your catechesis, but only with a very del-

icate balance; it must never mean a reduction to a minimum

9-29-2006Monday: GDC 1-33; St Patrick 14Wednesday: CT 56-73; St Patrick 15

Hell in engineering terms: T & P increase until all hell breaks loose; or, T & P decrease until hell freezes over

Catechesis of adults is the primary age groupHow are we going to catechize adults?

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Catholic adults are in dire need of being catechized on a great many topics concerning the Faith

10-2-2006GDC dated 1997; ‘97 was a good year in the Bolster familyCatechetical institutesPromulgator is Congregation for the ClergyWhy would they promulgate something of this sort? The clergy have primary responsi-

bility for the catechetical work; we represent the clergy when we teach in the name of Jesus and his Church

GDC was revision of the General Catechetical Directory, 1971.National Directory for Catechesis, 2005; revision of National Catechetical Directory,

1977 (Sharing the Light of Faith)National directories follow their universal counterpartsBy nature, a catechetical work must be adapted to its audience

Confer Directory to CatechismCCC: a statement that answers the “What” of catechesis: contentGDC: the “How” of catechesis: method, addresses and discusses the audience, ad-

dresses and discusses the catechistGDC 120: the two are distinct but complimentary instrumentsbasic principles of pastoral theology; methodological norm for the application of

the teaching71-97: Why a revision?

1. Inculturation: a very fine Balance; GDC 202-2142. Catechism had been promulgated; GDC 121ff3. Evangelization: Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi, 1975

Audience for catechesis is usually also in need of evangelizationGDC 60ff

4. Catechumenal model: restoration of the ancient catechumenate, RCIA 1972 - GDC 88ff

reflection on this by the Church recognizes that, because of the culture, all catechesis must be conducted within a catechumenal model

5. Formation of Catechists (233ff)needs to consider as its primary task the preparation and formation of cat-

echists6. Correction of errors - address challenges which the Church encounters in the

field and a gentle correction of those errors

10-4-2006GDC 33; CT 73St. Patrick’s Summer paper due Oct 20th, if you so choose to write. Otherwise, Yes or

No? on Dec 1.Perfect Joy: Little Flowers of St Francis

CT: I didn’t read it, and could not have, if I had remembered.

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For each class gives me so much work to do that when I try to do it, I am left with no time to do that of any of the others, let alone itself.

“Theology is an invention by those who no longer believe in order to teach what they no longer believe and still remain employed by the Church.” - Bolster’s pastor

CT 69 We must provide a moral structure without forcing it upon our studentsWe are not merely a group of people who share common theological questions, but we

have the same answers, too!Bishops as primary catechistsIt is true that catechesis can be given anywhere, but I wish to stress, in accordance with the desire of very many Bishops, that the parish community must continue to be the prime mover and pre- eminent place for catechesis.Living, pliant instrument of the Holy Spirit

10-6-2006Sr. Johanna is lecturing in Prof. Bolster’s stead today.Why is Revelation so important? Catechetics transmits Revelation; we hand on God’s

RevelationGabriel Moran - Doctoral dissertation at Catholic U;Theology of Revelation, then Cate-

chesis of Revelation; he said that Revelation comes from the Christian community. He had a very low Christology (His divinity)

If you don’t pay attention to the humanity of Christ, you become a docetist (docetism was an early heresy)

Groom has a low Christology as well; he is an Arian

Read Dei Verbum every three months or soTradition came before Scripture: not all doctrine is contained in Scripture, but all doc-

trine is contained in TraditionLife, Teaching, Worship: Tradition is handed on through these“Do you get this point, that Revelation is really, really important?”

God’s plan of revealing Himself in LoveModernism: “the synthesis of all heresies” - Pius X, Condemning the Errors of Mod-

ernismGDC 36“They [the press] would rather have you going out for blood [as opposed to forgiving].”

Are you ready for the responsibility of this major and line of work? Examine your con-science! - Sr. Johanna

10-9-2006Evangelization and Catechesis1. What is evangelization? EN says: bringing the Gospel to all of humanity - you “Good

News” them; Galatians - how quickly you’ve abandoned the Gospel that has been proclaimed

to you! GDC 48 - the process by which the Church spreads the Gospel

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throughout the world; EN 14 - evangelization is Her deepest identity; Acts 2 - Peter at Pentecost

A forceful first proclamation (GDC 51)2. Aspects of Evangelization

GDC 48- Charity- Witness- Proclaims the Gospel explicitly- Initiates- Nourishes communion- Arouses mission

3. Stages/components/momentsPre-evangelization

establishing a relationshipmeeting them where they are

Evangelization Properprimary proclamation - get them to make a decision/commit themselveswholesome shock

Catechesis ProperInstruction in the Way

4. Catechesis as a moment in the process of evangelization GDC 63, CT 18-19, specifi-cally in 19: the twofold objective of catechesis proper is 1. maturing in an initial faith, and 2. educating the disciple

5. Evangelization and CatechesisGDC 62 - ensure conversionCatechesis proper - presumes that conversion has begun

10-11-2006Next week: GDC 92-118; GDC 119-136; FD (Fidei Depositum) in CCC

Theology & Catechetics1. Catechetics is a teaching discipline

grossly oversimplified...a. Theology is the study of the things of Godb. Catechetics is the teaching of the things of GodCatechetics is the discipline related to teaching the faithWe will correct the erroneous perception that Catechetics is “dumbed-down” the-

ologyNot a step down: it is a different disciplineCatechesis is for all, theology is for someCT 14: Catechetics is a right of all baptized persons; GDC 74, 167CT 45: Nobody excused

2. Catechetics deals with precise limits of depositThe Benign Plurality

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a determining factor in whether to include something in our classroom discus-sions is, will this bring them to want to know and love the One who instituted this?

“Some theologians say...”Theology on our knees: is it a theology we can pray?Teach doctrine, not theology

use Catechism as guideif it’s not in the CCC...

GDC 68 essential: not what is disputable within the ChurchGDC 124 CCC as guideCT 61

3. Method: Catechesis is in plain talk, but the language still needs to be preciseCT 59

4. Purpose: Catechesis aims to make salvation possibledealing in grace = we teach for conversion

ApologeticsDefending the Faith - 1 Peter 3:15Christian Apologetics

Kreeft Yes or No?CS Lewis Mere ChristianityMore than a Carpenter Josh McDowell

Catholic ApologeticsWhat Catholics Really Believe KeatingDr. Shreck Catholic and Christian

10-16-2006St Margaret Mary Alacoque, Visitation Sister; and St HedwigThe methods for teaching JesusSacred Heart of JesusJn 19: 31-37 - anagogical typology - looking toward what is to come

from the side of Adam, God took the rib into which He made Adam’s spousefrom the side of the New Adam, the blood and water flow out on the cross, and

nourish His spouse, the ChurchCCC 478 - God loves us with a human Heart“Behold the heart that has loved so much, and is loved so little in return.”Jansenism - God is distantMatthew 11:28 - come to me, all you who are meek and humble of heart.Pius XII Hauriatus Aquas 1956

On Devotion to the Sacred HeartReference to Isaiah 12:3 - joyful waters from the Savior’s fountain

Feast of the Sacred Heart - third Friday after Pentecost (second Friday after Trinity Sunday)

9 first fridays accompanied by holy hour of reparation on Thursday NightEnthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

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10-18-2006Vocations Fair 10/27 11-5; GDC 92-118Next week GDC 119-136 on CCC; FD on CCCA catechist ought to say this: “Do not think as the world would have you think! It is one

of the greatest obstacles to your understanding of the Faith.” that is, you need to see the Church as She is, not at the world sees Her.

Apocalypse - apocalypsus: “the unveiling” (wedding analogy); God unveils Himself and His will

We have some fancy words...1 Tim 6:20: Guard what has been entrusted to you/ Guard the Deposit (Paul to Timothy)

- Deposit of Faith; Paratheke - something valuable committed to a trustee2 Thess 2:15: Hold fast to the TraditionVatican II: The primary task of Vat 2 is to guard the Deposit of FaithFides Qua: “Faith by which” we believeFides Quae: “Faith which” we believe

1. Deposit of Faith comes from ChristWe are part of what Christ startedGuard the Deposit by

studying itentrusting it to others

We teach what Christ taughtwe teach with authority and conviction...to overcome indifference

10-20-2006Fr. Thomas Weinandy Doctrine USCCB Sun Oct 29 @ 7 in GalleryNext time GDC 119-136, FD, dialogue 3

Deposit of FaithTradition - traditio - that which has been passed down

2 Thess 2:15 (again) - hold fast to TraditionMark 7:8 human tradition; Col 2:8

GDC 96 Living TraditionCCC 83 distinctionthere are many worthy traditions that are set up for use by us but are not contained in

the Deposit of FaithDoctrine v. DogmaDoctrine - an individual of the unchanging elements of the Divine Deposit

Prov 22:17Titus 2:1, 1:9

Dogma - generally, doctrines which have been challenged or misunderstood, which the Church defines in order to preserve them in the Tradition

specifically defined doctrineDiscipline - a teaching that applies to a specific time and place to address a specific sit-

uation, and that teaching may change as the situation changes

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10-23-2006GDC on CCC 119-136Certainly, graduates of the finest catechetical program in the world should be intimately

familiar with this [CCC]2nd ed. CCC has the glossary and expanded index (new green); some revisions since

1st ed. (brown hardcover); 2nd ed. trans from latin, 1st ed. trans from frenchRecent emphasis on such topics as the death penalty, etc. in the 2nd ed.

10-25-2006Senator Brownbeck came to town yesterday 9PM; really goodYes or No dialogue 4: Faith and science; next time: dial 5, GDC 137-147 Divine Peda-

gogyGDC on CCC 119 and following1. distinct but complimentary GDC 120

method & content2. legitimate right to know GDC 1213. believed, celebrated, lived, and prayed (four pillars)

Acts 2:42 - classic catechesis4. Christocentric GDC 123

two-fold orientationtoward God, toward humanity

5. literary genre GDC 124reference; authoritative, precise, universal

6. source of inspiration GDC 1287. basis for local catechisms GDC 124, 131

Fidei Depositum “Deposit of Faith”Apostolic Constitution on the Publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church1. Catechism of Vatican II - Guard the Deposit - 1 Tim 6:202. also outlined in FD: structure3. Sure norm for teaching the Faith

1st & 2nd edition1st French2nd Latin; glossary, expansion of index and recent teachings(e.g. death penalty)

How to read the CCC1. read it2. get them to read it - testimony3. use the footnotes to determine the scriptural driving force

why does the Church teach that? (mortal sin - 1 John 5:16)

10-27-2006Using the Catechism3. use footnotes (above)4. use the scriptural index

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5. use cross references“the catechism is heavily Cross-referenced”

6. use the glossary

Dialog 5 of Yes or No - Problem of Evil

Pedagogy of Revelation and the Response of FaithGod teaching

-art or science of teachingspecifically about methodology

GDC 137 - Jesus the TeacherGDC 138 - we do what Christ does1. Pattern:

God revealsgrace accompanies revelationwe respond

GDC 139 - salvation is the goalGDC 140 - Pedagogy of Jesus: we imitate the teacher2. GDC 129 - gradual and in stages3. GDC 138 - driven by grace4. GDC 146 - accommodated to the audience5. promotes a response - response of Faith

10-30-2006Dialogue 7; Typology CCC 115-119 (FD); GDC 148-214 for Friday

In what context are we supposed to teach Jesus?We see in dia. 6 a typical response from someone who does not know Him well.

Teach Jesus: Prof. Bolster’s Big 3+11. Incarnation2. Paschal Mystery3. Second Coming/parousia+1. Need for personal relationship

1. IncarnationJn 1:14 - The Word became Flesh - God in the FleshWho is Jesus? That is the question. The Incarnation is the answer.Carnival - goodbye meatChristmas - AngelusCCC 456-460: 4 reasons for the IncarnationTrue God and True Man - Hypostatic Union: one Person, two natureswe are saved by the human decision of the Divine Person

2. Paschal MysteryWhat did God do for me?Easter

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Four moments: Passion, Death, Resurrection, AscensionEx 12 - PassoverSacrifice - to make up for wrongsMass- our participation in the Paschal MysteryCrucifix

3. Second ComingIt’s not the end of the story: He’ll be backHe will come as judge, and every knee will bend and every tongue confessAdventFirst to suffer and inviteSecond to judge and to compelWe already know what the answers to the final exam are

11-3-2006next time: dialogue 8; GDC 148-214; Archbishop Daniel Buechlein OSB, Archbishop of

Indianapolis: read his articles, I & II, posted on the... website?Second Coming/Parousia; first time He came as a slave to invite, second time He will

come in Glory to judgeAdvent - liturgy is oriented toward the Messianic promise of the Savior’s comingThird Coming - His coming into out lives (not the rapture)MT 25 - General judgement - final examWhat happens at the end? CCC 673-677Need for a relationship with Him

GDC 142 Teachers must be disciples; obviously, you cannot give what you cannot have; the effectiveness of your catechesis will be directly related to your relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ

CT 9 Only in deep communion with Him1. Invite Him in2. Teach the supernatural; Sal in Y/N has trouble with the Resurrection because Sal de-

nies the existence of the supernatural3. Use prayer - teach them to pray, not just to use prayer; lead them to the Eucharist,

foster in them Sacramental living4. Teach from scripture: use that wonderful Book that God wrote, the Word of God5. Make it personal; we teach for conversion, lead by example: the most effective

teachers are witnesses

Typology Templeliteral temple in Jerusalemspiritual

allegorical - relates to Christ “destroy this Temple...”moral - how to act our bodies as Templesanagogical - our Destiny; What is to come Heavenly Jerusalem

bride of Adam was taken from his side as he slept; so too as Jesus slept the sleep of death on the cross, a sword pierced His side, from which blood and water flowed and we are born into the Church, His Bride.11-6-2006

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More reading to do... too much reading.Buechlein’s articles - haven’t read them: “Is our catechesis politically correct?”; the scary

vocabulary of DogmatismCreed-less Christianity and Content-less Catechesis“I’d rather have two bottles in front of me than a pre-frontal lobotomy”Ten Deficiencies (doctrinal deficiencies in the material)1. Trinity

inclusive language: two types: horizontal and vertical (men and women/man and God); look at Psalm 1 in a given translation

“Creator/Redeemer/Sanctifier” in Baptisms, etc. - makes Baptism invalid2. Divinity of Christ

our focus is more on the human nature of Christ; not so much an error as it is an imbalance

3. Indistinct treatment of the ecclesial contextaccommodations for relativism: everybody’s belief is good enough; misconcep-

tion of ecumenism4. Christian anthropology

experiential methodologyoveremphasis on self-esteem

5. God’s initiative6. Grace

insufficient recognition of the transforming effects of grace7. Sacraments8. Original sin/sin9. Meager exposition of the Christian moral life10. Inadequate presentation of eschatology

“hell is scary!”

11-8-2006Catechumenal Model GDC 88-91; dialog 10; remainder of GDCEight Tendencies (more methodological)We continue to note... ad-hoc committee... established catechetical leadership in our

country is not exactly jumping up and down that the bishops are teaching on these things; mentions the national catechism and the national directory, both of which are on the streets and hopefully on their way to your Christmas tree

Tendencies1. Personal pronouns for God

inclusive language, esp. in Psalms and songsthe persons who do this are products of their formations; let us kindly, and with

charity, reorient this language2. Hebrew/Christian Scriptures

Testament language: Covenant language; if we abandon this language, we lose something from the meaning of our Faith

3. BCE & CE“Before Common Era”, “Common Era” v. “Before Christ”, “Anno Domini” - “In the

year of our Lord”

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Even our geography is Christocentric! Jerusalem is the center of the east and west hemispheres

4. Reception of the Sacraments of Initiation must correspond with the Catechism and Canon Law (CCC 1457 and Code of Canon Law 914)

11-10-2006What Catholics Believe - Keating intro-Q8; Dial 11 Y/N TrinityCatechumenal Model: GDC 88-91GDC 59, 90: model for all Catechesisin the early Church, it had to be intense: your “graduation present” for being Baptized

was usually martyrdomGDC 91: school of discipleship

neocatechumenal way - movement of renewal, very effective exerciseLiturgical, Pastoral, and Catechetical processhistorically, distinction between the baptized and the unbaptizedpunctuated by a series of significant liturgical rites: “periods and gateways”; periods of

formation that are set apart by significant liturgical eventsmore and more publishers are marketing Confirmation within a catechumenal modelRCIAStages and RitesFirst Period: Pre-Catechumenate (pre-cat)

candidates are known as inquirers or sympathizersFirst Rite: Rite of Acceptance (into the Order of Catechumens)/Rite of Welcoming (for

those who are already baptized)formally become catechumens or candidates, respectively

Second Period: Catechumenate ProperSecond Rite: (series of rites)

1. Rite of sending (preceding the big one) - parish sends them to the bishop 2. Rite of election (major one) - they write their names in the Book of the Elect in

the presence of the bishopyes, you get both.

Third Period: Purification and EnlightenmentLent was “invented” as a period for those who wished to enter the Church for pu-

rification and preparationThird Rite: Sacrament of Initiation

Easter VigilFourth Mystagogy

Neophytes

11-13-2006one week from today: catechesis of your choice dueJenna: this book “is, like, freakishly accurate”Modern Catechumenal ModelI had coffee at 9 and again at 11; it was an OD. I just bottomed out. 2:33Liturgical aspects of the model

- Make Liturgical people

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- Gradually introduce liturgical activity- Punctuated by rites- GDC 85 Permeate catechesis in a climate of prayer

- intercessors: least utilized resource in the Church today, the LOL’s: little old ladies

- use sacramentals- teach to and from the rite- celebrate the liturgical year

Catechetical aspects of the model- use the language of the Catechism- gradual and in stages- GDC 107 Biblical catechesis

narratio - the storyPastoral aspects of the model

- teach people, not topics- know your audience- be willing to suffer on their behalf

Christian Charitythis is not a 9-5 job

- get the parish involved

11-15-2006the final stage of catecheticsKeys of Catholic Doctrine: what do they HAVE to know?we have to deliver the keys and empower them to explore on their ownthe central doctrine: The Trinity; the Trinity answers the question, “Who is God?”it also answers the question of what we were created for: Trinitarian (communal) lifewe profess our belief in the Sign of the Cross: Who God Is, and What God Did for us:

the Trinity and the Paschal Mystery...interesting facts about Byzantine Catholics and the Sign of the Crossit’s too bad we don’t have a depiction of the Trinity, that made Halloween very difficult for

the Bolster familySo here’s how we teach the trinityThe first of the keys, or the premise, from the divine perspective: Why did God tell us

about the Trinity?A: Because He loves us and wants us to know about Him! Why else would God

want us to know all this boring Catholic trivia?It is perhaps the most difficult for a rookie catechist to articulate or grasp

We can never outdo God in the honor He gave to Mary when He chose her to be the mother of His Beloved Son.

It was God’s intention that we find our existence and livelihood in a family; this is in-tended to prepare us for Trinitarian life

The family is an image of the Trinity: a child is the incarnation of the unity of husband and wife; the family is an analogy to the Trinity

“Even our money is Trinitarian”Teach the essentials: that which cannot be left to chance that they will get on their own

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Leave the rest to the LORDCatechetical essentials: what is essential for your audience might not be essential for

mineSatan: that he is, who he is, what he does, and what to do about him

11-17-2006Dia 14; Q 22-26; finish Catechism reading from first pillar; RevelationKeys of Catholic Doctrine (Use this in your catechesis paper!!!)

1. Divine Perspective/PremiseWhy does God want us to know?Not necessarily the definition

2. Essentialsthat which cannot be left to chance that they will get on their ownnot everything will be essentialeverything can’t be essential3-5 main pointscatechetical essentials; what is essential for this particular audience may

not be essential for anotherteaching for conversion1. Mystery, Transcendence, and Immanence2. God wants to share His life with us (CCC 260, 1721)3. Each Person of the Trinity has a role, a work (CCC 257, 258, 259)

Andy: “I wrote it down!”3. What is commonly misunderstood

relevancewe are made to share Trinitarian Life

4. Scriptural Driving Forcenot prooftexting; that’s kinda backwards

5. Related Doctrineorganic unity of doctrinemaking connectionsadventure of putting the pieces together

6. Liturgywhere do we celebrate it?the Church prays what She believesTrinity Sunday

11-20-2006we have turned in our catechesis; now to finish our exegesis. it shall take us all night.tonight in the International Lounge: Br. Devil DeLord, @ 5 & 9Dialog 15, Q 27-29life of sin, then moment of conversion on the deathbed: salvationlife of repentance, then moment of grave sin on deathbed: damnationIs salvation partly up to chance on our part?some attachments to sin are so deeply rooted in us (whether the sins are relatively large

or small) that we can never say that we are completely free from sin in this life

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Purgatory is suffering because these deep-rooted attachments have to be dug out of our persons

Revelation: How do we know what God wants?From God, not from “a bunch of old guys in Rome trying to make our lives miserable”The Divine Perspective: God has shown Himself and given Himself; He has definitively

answered the fundamental questions regarding the meaning and purpose of lifeThe Essentials

1. created in God’s image and likeness; we can know of God’s existence with certainty in the light of natural reason

2. God has revealed what we could not know (CCC 51-52)definition of mystery

3. Revelation is summed up and personified in JesusHeb 1:1-2

11-27-2006Next time: Dia 16; Catholics 30-28; Response Fri (Yes or No, doesn’t apply to me)Keys of teaching Tradition: Divine Perspective; 3-5 Essentials; 2 Scriptural references; 1

commonly misunderstood; 2 related; 1 liturgyRevelation

4. There will be no further Public RevelationCCC 66

5. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God has delivered His word by oral and written means, using human agents: Scripture and Tradition

Transmission of Divine Revelation (CCC 76, 2 Thess 2:15)6. Faith is our response to God’s invitation to enter into relationship with Him

Lk 24:34-35; Jn 8: ; Jn 15:26-27; Jn 16:12-14; Rom 1:19-20Commonly misunderstood

Revelation is ongoingRevelation is contained only in Sacred ScripturePublic v. Private RevelationRevelation only pertaining to the End Times

Sacred ScriptureDivine Perspective CCC 101 & 105

God wants us to know that we can hear HimEssentials1. God is the Author - Divine Authorship

2 Tim 3:16-17The Church has always venerated the Bible as she venerates Our Lord’s

Body2. It is a living Word (CCC 108)

Heb 4:12 - the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword

CCC 133 Frequent readingChristocentricity Luke 24

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CCC 104 - what do you want for your students?3. Inerrant CCC 1074. Human authors are true authors - dual authorship

we must be scriptural theologians5. Authentic Interpretation has been reserved to the Magisterium (CCC 119)

Criteria CCC 112-114MisunderstandingsChurch Teaching contradicts ScriptureRelativism: we cannot know what God intends to communicateLiturgyOrdination of the Deacon

11-29-2006Keys of teaching Tradition

Divine Perspective Tradition was oral in the early Church, the same as Jesus' ministryNot everything we believe is held in Scripture"Through a living transmission (Sacred Tradition) within "the believing and praying Church," the Holy Spirit teaches the children of God how to pray." (CCC 2650)

Essentials (3-5) Deposit of Faith is contained in Sacred Scripture and Tradition (CCC 84)Tradition of prayer (CCC 2651)Liturgy is a constitutive element of the holy and living Tradition (CCC 1124)Oral Tradition in handing on the Gospel (CCC 126, DV 19)One and the same content of Tradition worldwide (CCC 174)Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture, then, are bound closely together, and communi-cate one with the other....flowing out from the same divine well-spring (CCC 80)

Scriptural Foundations (2) 1 Tim 6:20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid profane babbling and the absurdities of so-called knowledge.2 Thess 2:15 Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours.

Common Misunderstandings (1) Our Protestant brothers and sisters deny an oral or written Tradition apart from Scrip-ture; this is perhaps the most widespread error concerning Tradition in existence today. One problem lies in interpretation: many points of view, but those points of view often contradict one another. The solution? That point of view which was influenced directly by Jesus is the one which must be accepted, since he is the fulfillment of all Scripture, the point of view promulgated by the Apostles and handed down through the Church: Sacred Tradition

Related Doctrines (2)

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The apostles entrusted the "Sacred deposit" of the faith (the depositum fidei), contained in Sacred Scripture and Tradition, to the whole of the Church. (CCC 84)from the beginning Christians have celebrated the Eucharist and in a form whose sub-stance has not changed despite the great diversity of times and liturgies (CCC 1356)

Liturgical Practices of Tradition (1) lex orandi, lex credendi: "the Church, in her doctrine, life and worship, perpetuates and transmits to every generation all that she herself is, all that she believes." (CCC 78)CCC 1342: From the beginning the Church has been faithful to the Lord's command. Of the Church of Jerusalem it is written: "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.... And day by day, at-tending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts..." (Acts 2:42, 46)

Jesse treepink candle: normally, halfway done, this year halfway

Divine PerspectiveWhy does God want us to know about Sacred Tradition?God graciously arranged that the things he had once revealed for the salvation of all peoples should remain in their entirety, throughout the ages, and be transmitted to all generations. (CCC 74)

Essentials 1. Revelation comes to us through two channels, oral and written: “single Sacred De-posit” (CCC 97, DV 10)

“Equal sentiments of devotion and reverence (82)“Word of God entrusted to the Apostles, and the speech of God which has been put down in writing” (81)

2. Holy Spirit is guarantor CCC 78Jn 16:13

3. Apostolic Succession CCC 77; 857-865 -> 3 waysActs 1:29, Jn 20 21-23

4. Magisterium - Teacher CCC 85, 1005. Living Tradition

Doctrine, Life, and Worship of the Church

Next time: Yes or No, you said “no”; Dia 17; Keating 39-43; keys for original sin

12-1-2006 Original Sin

Q: Why am I so messed up?“If I’d known how many people were going to be mad at me for all of history, I’d have

just said no.”Divine Perspective

man let trust in his Creator die in his heart

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we separate ourselves from God by our own free willknowing that there would be a price for the freedom that He gave us, God willing-

ly paid that price.CCC 396 (exultet), 412

Essential1. An actual event: the account of the Fall uses figurative language for a primeval

eventtell the story of the falldisobedience(the impact of Satan and the demons would be helpful as well)why so bad“’With great power comes great responsibility,’ that’s the catch-phrase of

old Uncle Ben” - freedom put to the test CCC 3962. Pathos of the Human Condition

Rom 7Screwtape Letters C.S. Lewis - a demon-in-training learning how to claim

souls for Satan3. Contracted, not committed

distinction between Original Sin and Actual SinSteven: “It’s like in the cafeteria: when one person talks too loud, then no-

body is allowed to talk.”Reverse of the Good news CCC 389; Rom 5:15-x

4. Consequences CCC 400, Gen 3; Baptism 4035. Concupiscence

1264, 975, 2514, 1426we can be cured of pneumonia, but we’re gonna be a weak soul for a very

long time after being cureddisciplinepenance

12-4-2006 St Francis Xavier’s feast was bumped yesterday by First Sunday of Advent: souls are

falling into hell simply because there is no one to Baptize them!today: St. John Damascene

Image and Likeness Genesis 1:20there is an attack on the dignity of the human person: despair/self-image, humana vitae,

sexualityQ: Who am I?Divine perspective

CCC 357 called to relationship; we are able to enter this relationship freely and more deeply than any other creature

“Our Father”Essentials

Image God individually as childrenGenesis 5:3 Seth “in [Adam’s] image, after his likeness”

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we image God as a communion of Persons CCC 372Procreation - the crown of the way in which we participate in God’s work; we add

to eternity

Last Day of Class due with the final: keys on the ChurchCatechesis paperdon’t start on the defensivedraw your audience in by the beauty of the doctrine

AngelsGod made spiritual beings to share His glory and be part of His life; they unceasingly

serve and adore God; throughout salvation history, angels participate in God’s work to redeem us 350

1. Characteristicsspiritual non-corporeal 328personal and immortal 330possess intellect and willdo not procreateangels decide once 391ffKreeft, Anselm, AquinasFrank Peretti This Present Darkness Eph 6Catholic Treasure Book

2. Angels are servants of God 3293. Work of the angels - our salvation; “Christ is in the center of the angelic world”

archangels - specifically mentioned by name (Gabriel, Raphael, Michael)guardian angels Mt 8:10evangelizers

4. Satan & demonsthat he is,who he is,what he does,and what to do about him