Catechists from across diocese gather for prayer, fellowship

“Much of what you do may not be seen, but it is important,” said Greg Coogan, diocesan secretary for catechetical formation and parish life, as he addressed catechists from across the diocese on Sept. 23. “Thank you for helping us to pass the faith forward.”

About 80 faith formation leaders came to the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe for the second Celebration of Catechists. Each parish in the diocese was invited to send representatives to the event.

Coogan said the gathering began last year in connection with the Jubilee for Catechists during the Jubilee Year of Hope. It also provided an opportunity for then to see the CPL, which houses Borromeo Seminary, Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology, the lay ecclesial ministry formation program, the permanent diaconate formation program and the ongoing formation program for clergy. Catechetical Sunday was celebrated on Sept. 20, with many parishes using the occasion to recognize their faith formation leaders and to bless them.

This year’s theme for faith formation is “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me … to bring good news to the poor.”

Bishop Edward Malesic joined the group for a social hour, mingling with the faith formation leaders and getting acquainted before they moved to the chapel for evening prayer.

“We share a mission that Christ has for his Church … We inherited this mission. All we do is for the salvation of souls,” the bishop said.

He explained there is a tripod – three legs – that are essential to keep the stool (our faith) from falling over: worship, evangelization and service.

“The disciples listened to the word of Jesus, then they spread that word. They also took care of the poor and the Lord increased their numbers,” he said. “Whatever we do as a Church is the result of an encounter with Jesus Christ. He is at the center of everything we do.”

The bishop told the group they were in “the Upper Room of the seminary, where the breaking of the breaking of the bread – the liturgy, the celebration of the Eucharist – takes place.” He urged them to pray and to pray often.

“And tell your story. Each of us has a story. Share it and be witnesses of Jesus Christ,” Bishop Malesic said. “Don’t be afraid of the cross. It’s not the end of the story … We are all just pilgrims, immigrants on the way to a better place … It’s a joy to be witnesses to the cross of Jesus and what comes beyond it,” he added.

“Thank you for all you do and may God bless you,” the bishop said.

As they left the chapel, each catechist received a blessed Franciscan cross on a black cord as a remembrance of the Jubilee Year of St. Francis that is underway.