24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Parishioners,
Catechesis is an important work of the church. Some people may wonder what that word means. Catechesis is basically the teaching ministry of the church. If we want to broaden out the definition even more, we would say that it is the business of forming people in the faith. We need to help people grow into disciples of Jesus Christ.
At Sacred Heart we have dozens of catechists. We start teaching the preschoolers about Christianity when they are around three and we continue to learn about our faith until we die. I remember my good friend Fr. Dick Bresnahan. He was in the last days of his life and I went to visit him. He did not want to talk about his health. He asked me what I was reading. His religious education was literally womb to tomb.
This is Catechetical Sunday. We bless all the teachers who will be ministering in our educational programs in the upcoming academic year. I ask for your prayers for them. I thank those who have given their time through the years to share their faith in the role of catechist. I challenge anyone who has not shared their time in this ministry to consider doing so.
Parents fulfill a special role in catechesis. I would ask that you support the teachers in our Catholic schools and other religious education program. It is always a task to raise up a new generation of religious educators. It is easier if whatever is taught in the classroom is reinforced in the home.
Let’s have a great year of learning!
Blessings,
Fr. Mark
P.S. I will be on the upcoming Cursillo team for women. I would encourage anyone in our parish to make a Cursillo Weekend. A Cursillo is a shore course in Christianity. These weekends are held at Christ the King Church. The next weekend for Men is September 19-22nd. The next weekend for Women is October 17-20th. For more information call the Cursillo secretary at 737-1979. Or, let me know and I will be glad to arrange for someone in our parish to speak to you.