Taste and See:
Catechesis as Food for the Journey

Preface

Introduction

Our local church has experienced much change in the last decade. In restoring the order of the sacraments of initiation for children, we have gained a new vision of what it is to be a church on a journey. Restoring the order of initiation and implementing the catechumenate has surfaced in us the need for collaborative relationships and collegial structures that support, nourish and sustain faith formation among all people. We appreciate anew the primacy of family life and the importance of the parish faith community as companions on the journey of faith. We see exciting connections between liturgy and life for the transformation of the world. We thrive on strong and dynamic leadership in faith in the home, the parish and the local church.

The Office for Worship and Word commends these catechetical guidelines to you. They result from both the 1997 process for assessing the State of Catechesis in the Diocese and the 1998 Future Ministry Study Committee’s findings and recommendations. We designed these guidelines to enhance catechesis through dynamic partnerships among the domestic church, the parish church and the diocesan church. They set a broad and challenging vision for catechesis while providing direction and practical tools for implementation.

Audience

These guidelines and policies are established for the Church of Greensburg to assist in catechizing children and youth (from infancy through age 18). Pastors, catechetical leaders, school principals and those who lead youth ministry specifically are responsible for implementing these guidelines in pastorally sound and prudent manners suited to the needs and situations of their faith communities and regional clusters of parishes.

Implementation

These guidelines spell out a vision for partnership in catechesis among domestic church, parishes, and our diocese. This vision offers an ideal to strive toward through consistent, regular implementation of these guidelines. Some parishes may experience gradual changes while others may need more radical solutions.

Realizing this vision is not easy. Much of what is contained here will affirm directions we have taken in our parishes and homes. Much here will challenge us. As companions on the journey, we shall work together to Taste and See. Assistance in planning and designing catechesis for parishes is available through the diocesan Department of Education and Spiritual Formation. Workshops, training and consultation with parishes and regions are being planned for those charged with implementation of this vision.

In both planning and programming for catechesis, pastors, principals and catechetical leaders need to consider ways to collaborate with other parishes in their region. Regional solutions to catechetical issues allow for better stewardship of available resources and deepen our identity as a local church.

Implementation of these policies and guidelines is to begin immediately and be included in all aspects of parish catechesis for youth and children. Each parish should begin to evidence integration of these policies and guidelines by Advent 2000.

Acknowledgements

Many people have contributed to these guidelines, and many of you will see your words and aspirations expressed here. We are especially grateful to everyone who participated in any of the many consultation and review sessions. We also are grateful to Priests’ Council for recommending promulgation to Bishop Bosco.

The Department of Infomedia Services has led the print and electronic production of these guidelines. Carole Higgins, Vince Capozzi, Karen Cornell and Angie Burrows have been a model of collaboration in designing the print and electronic versions o these guidelines. Thank you.

Special recognition goes to the writing team for this project. Whatever richness you find in these pages comes from their love and passion for our church. The deep appreciation of the diocesan church for a job well done is due to:

Let us remember each other before the Lord.

Michael B. Grammer
Office for Worship and Word
Diocese of Greensburg