Friday, September 12, 2014

SORRY TO OFFEND

There was a reason why I said "sorry to offend" when I addressed the issue of removing children from their parents and educating them in the faith in isolation from their family. And I expected to get the replies I am getting. However, I do not intend to engage those replies, for it is not a matter of good or not so good teachers, or good or not so good programs, or whether or not some parents use CCD as a cheap babysitting service, it is a matter of what the Church teaches, and has taught and continues to teach. And I copy here its most recent formulation by a pope:

Family catechesis therefore precedes, accompanies and enriches all other forms of catechesis. … "the church of the home"(120) remains the one place where children and young people can receive an authentic catechesis. Thus there cannot be too great an effort on the part of Christian parents to prepare for this ministry of being their own children's catechists and to carry it out with tireless zeal. - St. Pope John Paul II, CATECHESI TRADENDAE
Words like "family catechesis" and the "church of the home" mean exactly that. They do not mean finding new and creative ways to get parents to show more interest in their kids' CCD class or youth group. Parents are to be "THEIR OWN CHILDREN'S CATECHISTS", and it is the PARENTS the Church is to be preparing, NOT their kids. 

The pope goes on:
Encouragement must also be given to the individuals or institutions that, through person-to-person contacts, through meetings, and through all kinds of pedagogical means, help parents to perform their task: The service they are doing to catechesis is beyond price.
As you can see, catechetical programs and teachers are not left out of the process. They are to "help the parents to perform their task". But it is the PARENTS who are TO PERFORM that task and perform it in THE CHURCH OF THE HOME. 

I am very aware of how nearly impossible this is at this point, given, as mentioned, that we are nearly two generations removed from the kind of "church of the home" that was common to previous generations of Catholics. But with God, all things are possible, right?

For a more detailed treatment of this issue and a proposed solution, a solution that is already working in many parishes that have awakened to the necessity of restoring the "church of the home" and "family catechesis", here is a link to a presentation I did in 2006. 

I will do another post in which I will share about the canonical rights of parents to request the sacraments for their children without having to submit to a parish or diocesan program. Other than that, I don't wish to discuss the issue further. Thanks. 



13 comments:

  1. Thank you Tim,
    I will be removing my child from my parish CCD program or even the youth ministry they have. I don't want my child to be influenced by their teachings or any Neo and Non-Neo priests.

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  2. at most, ccd should be a minor supplement to what kids should already be learning at home, enhancing that home catechesis through community with other families. tim is spot on about the near impossibility, especially with young kids who can't even recite the Our Father and kids whose parents can't even list the Ten Commandments.

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  3. You make very good points. If it weren't for homeschooling, I probably would have been one of those parents who would have left the teaching of our faith to the CCD program. I have to admit, I learned and continue to learn WITH my children as we have their religion lessons. I would also like to bring up another point that the best way to teach is by EXAMPLE. (i.e. If Mommy and Daddy aren't going to Mass, how can we expect little Jimmy or little Sally to want to go to Mass.)

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  4. I stopped teaching Sunday school for exactly this reason...I did not feel I had been properly formed in Catholic teachings....even mentioning to the other teachers that we should be over-watched by a Priest. From what I witnessed, there is a rift between the Neos & the traditional Priests! We went back to the Monastery where the Michael Archangel prayer is now being said after mass!

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    1. I like this prayer:

      O glorious prince St. Michael, chief and commander of the heavenly hosts, guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits, servant in the house of the Divine King and our admirable conductor, you who shine with excellence and superhuman virtue deliver us from all evil , who turn to you with confidence and enable us by your gracious protection to serve God more and more faithfully every day.








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  5. It needs to start with "Father".

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  6. Dear Sorry To Offend", Dear Tim, As in academic learning, our Catholic Faith should also be starting at home. Our challenge: Parents do not know or understand the CCC, nor do they have decent references like a good bible with commentaries approved by the Catholic Church (it must have the "Imprimatur" stamp of approval). I agree it should start at the home front and I STRONGLY believe that it should start with the Parents, more so the Father as head of household.

    Priests and/or Deacons can work with the Parents to establish some kind of Bible Study regiment. Some parents are shy so this can be something outlined for them and for the Parents to be checking in with the Priest or Deacon if they are on the right track.

    As far as what the Priest or Deacon is giving as sources (not NEOCAT sources), it should conform to the teachings of the Catholic Faith approved study guides, Bible, CCC, and to even include the Compendium. I am a 3 year Catechist approved by our Archdiocese, still, I find myself constantly doing my best to update my knowledge base with any newly approved Doctrines and local requirements.

    There are rubrics and other documents that can be followed and is easily available online just by Googling "The Order of the Mass" or "The Approved Catholic Sacraments". There are also several resources under the "vatican.va" website as well. We use it all the time. We mostly use the "http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings/index.html" website to review the Gospel reading for the day along with meditations and commentaries that our children also uses. This is always a discussion topic for us during the course of our meals (with prayers before and after, of course!).

    Thank you for allowing my input...Senot G.

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    1. Senot G, thank you for sharing your insight and experience. Since I have enjoyed reading your comments, may I suggest that, instead of posting as "Anonymous" and then signing off as "Senot G," please:

      • STOP on "Name/URL" (it's right before the "Anonymous" box);
      • TYPE your name in the "Name" box (instead of at the end of your comment) and IGNORE "URL";
      • CLICK "Continue"; and then
      • CHOOSE Publish to submit OR Preview to check your spelling/grammar

      I hope you decide to post as "Senot G" instead of "Anonymous" in the future so that I — and others — will be able to spot your comment and read it sooner.

      Thank you and God bless you.

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  7. Great suggestions Senot G!!

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  8. It is not rocket science. This is the essence of Catholic faith.


    Renewal of Baptismal Promises


    V. Do you reject Satan?
    R. I do.
    V. And all his works?
    R. I do.
    V. And all his empty promises?
    R. I do.
    V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
    R. I do.
    V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
    R. I do.
    V. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
    R. I do.
    V. God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and forgiven all our sins. May he also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever.
    R. Amen.
    FAITH will save us. Applying the teachings of the holy Catholic church in our life to the best of our abilities, to know, love, and serve God now and forever is what matters.

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  9. I can just imagine a lukewarm catholic picking up the habit of praying the rosary again after explaining to her/his child the battle of jericho and how the ark of the covenant prefigures mama mary. =)

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  10. From Senot G. to Mary Lou: Thank you Mary Lou, I will do it from here on in. I had reservations in doing it this way for quite some time now. Since it has also been a request from my peers because they do know when I post, your suggestion is a good reinforcement. Senot G.

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