By Dr Ivan Filmer
May 15 2023
PENANG – Over 200 catechists and RCIA facilitators from the five states of the Diocese of Penang were commissioned as Evangelising Catechists by Bishop Sebastian Francis at the Minor Basilica of St Anne, Bukit Mertajam.
He also extended this commissioning to all faith sharers who were unable to be present. (bit.ly/3Lqm1oj)
“The role of sharing the faith is the most important and challenging ministry in the Church. It is not just something that is “touch & go” but is systematic and needs preparation,” said Bishop Sebastian in his opening address on April 23. He added that it provides no glamour and involved prayer and spirituality, with formation that extended the whole year round. The most vulnerable gift of God entrusted to parents is children who were given into the care of catechists within the Church.
At a recent conference in Rome of 200 over bishops from around the world, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, had asked to keep the child at the centre of the narrative of the Church and the kingdom of God. When dealing with the most vulnerable in our midst, Bishop Sebastian said the primary requirement is the love for children. To engage with them in faith using the universal language of love from the heart.
After the homily, his Lordship explained that the faith sharers have been given a new identity of being Evangelising Catechists. According to the Directory for Catechesis (2020), Pope Francis described catechists as people who keep the memory of God alive in themselves and are able to revive it in others.
In the Pope’s Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, evangelisation is the task of the Church and the Church as an agent of evangelisation… she is first and foremost a people advancing on its pilgrimage way towards God. So, everything the Church does is to advance us on the way to God. As no one is saved by himself or herself, or by our own efforts, God attracts us to Himself within the complex relationships of the human community called the Church.
His Lordship then explained the new identity of Evangelising Catechists within the context of the Mission Statement of Evangelising Catechists. The five principles of the mission are as follows: Firstly, to seek to deepen a personal encounter with Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Secondly, to proclaim the core message of the Gospel, the kerygma.
Thirdly, to accompany people to a response of faith and conversion to Christ. Fourthly, to provide a systematic exposition of God’s revelation within the communion of the Catholic Church.
And lastly, to have as its goal to send out missionary disciples as witnesses to the good news of salvation. His Lordship then received the pledge of all present to accept and be Evangelising Catechists.
The ceremony ended with a blessing to all the children and adult Evangelising Catechists with the sending forth on mission. – Herald Malaysia
