The National Directory for Catechesis

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The National Directoryfor Catechesis

• An Introduction for
• Parish Catechists
• and
• Catholic School Teachers

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A Document for Our Times

• Go, therefore, and make disciples of all
  nations, baptizing them in the name of the
  Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit,
  teaching them to observe all that I have
  commanded you.
• MT 2819-20a

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Background

• Renewal of catechesis called for by Vatican II
• General Catechetical Directory 1971
• Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults 1972
• On Evangelization in the Modern World 1976
• U.S. National Catechetical Directory 1979
• Catechism of the Catholic Church 1987
• General Directory for Catechesis 1998
• U.S. National Directory for Catechesis 2005

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Goals of the New Directory

• To provide basic theological and pastoral
  principles for catechesis in the U.S.
• To offer guidelines for the application of these
  principles that will continue the renewal of
  catechesis in the U.S.
• To set for the nature, purpose, object, tasks,
  basic content, and various methodologies of
  catechesis

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Relationship to the Catechism of the Catholic
Church

• The Catechism provides the content for
  catechesis.
• The National Directory for Catechesis (NDC)
  focuses on the context, meaning, and
  methodologies for catechesis.
• The NDC also provides a concise summary of the
  catechesis of the Catechism.

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General Overview of the NDC

• The Context and Meaning of Catechesis
• (Introduction, Chapters 1 and 2)
• The Content and Method of Catechesis (Chapters 3,
  4, 5, 6)
• The People Who Do Catechesis
• (Chapters 7, 8)
• Organization and Resources for Catechesis
• (Chapters 9, 10)

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Chapter 1Proclaiming the Gospel in the United
States

• Wide variety of ethnic cultures and religious
  practices across the United States
• The general characteristics of U.S. culture
• freedom, pragmatism, science/technology,
  globalization, and mobility
• The important influence and role of the Catholic
  family in faith formation

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Demographics of U.S. Catholics

• Population more than 62 million
• Better educated and more affluent than at Vatican
  II
• Ethnic balance similar to that of US.
• (Exceptions slightly fewer African-American
  more Hispanic)
• More ethnically diverse than Church in any other
  country
• Significant differences in attitudes among
  generations
• Half million Eastern Rite Catholics in U.S.

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Pastoral Life in U.S. Church

• More Catholics, fewer priests
• Number of parishes without resident priests has
  increased 11 since 1980.
• Size of parish populations growing
• Fewer young people in Catholic schools more in
  parish religious education
• One third of all parishes minister to more than
  one ethnic group.
• One third of parishes are rural.

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For Discussion

• What are three cultural issues or influences in
  your parish or school?
• What effect do these issues have on how you
  catechize?

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Signs of Vitality in Catechesis in the U.S.

• Strong published catechetical programs
• Increasing ethnic, racial, and cultural diversity
  
• Greater emphasis catechist formation
• Growth of lay ministry
• Wide implementation of RCIA
• Stronger sense of Churchs mission in catechesis
• Stronger efforts in adult faith formation

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More Signs of Vitality

• Strengthening of Youth Ministry
• Outreach of Catholic schools to the poor and
  disadvantaged
• Growing emphasis on Churchs social justice
  teaching
• Attention to communication technology in
  catechesis

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Chapter 2 Catechesis and Evangelization

• Evangelization is the call of every Christian.
• Evangelization to the world and to members of the
  Church as well
• A New Evangelization
• Called for by John Paul II
• Addressed to the Church herself
• To the baptized never effectively evangelized
• To those whose faith needs refreshing
• To those who are alienated

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Discipleship The Goal of Catechesis

• Catechesis aims to bring about in the believer
  an ever more mature faith in Jesus Christ, a
  deeper knowledge and love of his person and
  message, and a firm commitment to follow him.
• NDC 1.19A

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Catechesis as a Moment in the Process of
Evangelization

• Inspired by baptismal catechumenate
• Source of catechesis Scripture and Tradition
• Object intimate relationship with Jesus Christ
• Tasks
• Knowledge of the Faith
• Participation in liturgical and sacramental life
• Moral formation
• Learning to pray
• Preparation and participation in community
• Developing a missionary spirit

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Inculturating the Message

• Inculturation both adapts the message to each
  culture and attempts to correct the culture where
  necessary.
• Catechesis must be inculturated so that it will
  take root effectively.
• Inculturation allows faith to connect with life
  so that people will be disposed to receive Jesus.

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For Discussion

• What would make your catechesis more
  evangelizing?
• What is one way that you have tried to
  inculturate the Gospel message?

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3. The Faith of the Church

• Chapter 3 summarizes the criteria for authentic
  presentation of the Gospel message.
• Scripture, the CCC, the General Directory for
  Catechesis, and the NDC are complementary sources
  for the message.
• Scripture guides catechesis.
• The NDC looks to the CCC as the norm for
  catechetical content.

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Authentic Presentation of the Faith

• Trinitarian, yet centered on Christ
• Presented as Good News of salvation and
  liberation
• Comes from and leads to the Church
• Presents the message within the context of its
  relationship to salvation history
• Comprehensive, yet recognizes the hierarchy of
  truths
• Inculturates the message
• Teaches the dignity of the human person
• Provides learners with a common language of faith

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4. Divine and Human Methodology

• Gods methodology
• Engages persons in light of their circumstances
  and capacity
• Realized gradually
• Fully achieved in Jesus Christ
• Told in Scripture and Tradition
• Source and model of the pedagogy of the truth

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Human MethodologiesThe Ways We Come to Faith

• Human experience
• Becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ
• Living in a Christian community
• Living in a Christian family
• The witness of catechists
• Learning by heart
• Practicing the Christian way of life
• Apprenticing oneself to faithful Christians

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5. Catechesis in a Worshipping Community

• Intrinsically linked with liturgy and sacraments
  precedes liturgy and springs from it
• Places Eucharist at the center
• Incorporates liturgical and personal prayer
• Helps to make the signs, symbols, and actions of
  the liturgy both known and loved

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Sacramental Catechesis

• Appropriate to the age level and maturity of
  those being catechized
• Involves the whole community of faith
• Involves parents in the childrens formation
• Integrates with a comprehensive catechetical
  program
• Focuses on the symbols, rituals, and prayers in
  each rite
• Offers an experience of mystagogy

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Art, Music, Time, and Space in Sacramental
Catechesis

• Acknowledges Gods presence in time
• Teaches religious customs and traditions
• Uses Christian art to catechize
• Teaches the significance of Church architecture
  and furnishings
• Introduces learners to Christian music from the
  tradition
• Incorporates sacramentals and popular piety

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6. Morality Catechesis for Life in Christ

• Catholic Morality
• Rooted in the dignity of the human person
• Respects every human as a free and responsible
  agent
• Recognizes that humanity is capable of sin
• Moral Catechesis
• Presents principles and practice
• Integrates principles with lived experience
• Demonstrates the social consequences of the Gospel

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Social Justice

• Imbedded in the Gospel message
• A body of doctrine and a living tradition
• A constitutive element of the Magisterium
• Individual responsibility for social injustice
• Obligation of the Church to train members to
  apply Christian principles to contemporary
  problems

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Content of Moral Catechesis

• Ten Commandments and Beatitudes as reference
  points for moral behavior
• Commandments and Beatitudes to be learned by
  heart
• Includes Scripture stories, lives of saints,
  spiritual and corporal works of mercy, virtues,
  capital sins
• NDC provides guidance for teaching each
  Commandment or Beatitude

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For Discussion

• What and who has influenced your faith the most?
• What insights did you gain from chapters 4, 5,
  and 6 about how to catechize others?
• What area of catechesis seems most challenging to
  you?

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7. Catechizing the People of God

• Growth in faith is related to human growth.
• Catechesis is lifelong.
• Adult catechesis is the norm.
• Adolescent catechesis promotes active
  discipleship and spiritual growth.
• The role of the family is crucial to faith
  development.
• Structured programs support the family, not vice
  versa.

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Catechesis of Children

• School-aged children require a structured parish
  or school catechetical program.
• Home-based programs must be coordinated with the
  parish.
• Programs must promote respect for pluralism.
• People with disabilities must be included.
• Catechesis on ecumenism and religious life must
  be included, especially regarding Judaism.

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9. Norms for Catechists and Religion Teachers

• Catechists and teachers of religion must be
  trained through diocesan-approved programs.
• Requirements for catechists
• A love of God and the Church
• A faithful practice of the Christian life
• Personal prayer life
• A missionary zeal to proclaim the Good News
• Active participation in a parish, including
  attendance at Sunday Eucharist
• A devotion to Mary and the Eucharist

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Conclusions about the NDC

• Provides the fundamental theological and pastoral
  principles for catechesis in the U.S.
• A source of inspiration for the new
  evangelization and the renewal of catechesis
• Guided by the Holy Spirit and dedicated to the
  Virgin Mary, the first and model disciple of
  Jesus Christ