Catechists

This Advent / Christmas

We are nearing the Fourth Sunday of Advent and looking toward celebrating the birth of Christ. As catechists, you may be glad to have a break from classes for a few weeks. This time of the year is so busy for most people. But wait! You are still a catechist! This is a calling, not a hobby. There is no real "time off" you. There are different seasons for us, or times of different focus. In this time when we have a break from classes I think there are three things which God calls us as catechists to turn our attention to:

• This is time to recharge our battery. 
• This is time to focus on the most central element of our faith.
• This is time to recommit ourselves to doing our very best. 

First, recharge! Take some time to rest. Enjoy time with your family and in true re-creation. Do some things which you enjoy. Read a good book about the faith or prayer for YOU, not for your class. (We just gave you a great one for Christmas). 

Second, focus on CHRISTmas. There is nothing more central to our faith than the Incarnation - the Second Person of the Trinity taking on human nature and stepping into His creation. God became man in the person of Jesus Christ. The infinite God took on our finite human nature, humbling himself and elevating our human dignity. Focus on this mystery. Spend time in prayer, raising your mind and heart toward God. Pray the first 5 decades of the Rosary, meditating on each mystery, especially the Birth of Christ. Read the beginning of Luke's Gospel and really imagine yourself there and every detail.

 

Finally, it is time to recommit. This is the "half time" of the catechetical year. What do you do at half time? You look at what you are doing well and what you need to improve. You look at what is working and what is not. You determine the best plan of attack for the second half. You come out refreshed and pumped up to do your very best. We are halfway through the catechetical year. Look at your strengths and weaknesses; at what is working and what is not. Make adjustments. Come back to class on January 8th and 9th ready for the "second half." 

I know, it feels like I just gave you another "to do list." But the beauty of this list is that when you follow it you will feel less stress instead of more. St. Theresa of Calcutta spent an hour every day in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Some days, though, she would have extra busy days with more commitments than she could handle. On those days she made it a point to spend TWO hours before the Blessed Sacrament.

I want to wish each and every one of you a most blessed Christmas!