A new formation programme for Volunteer Diocesan Catechists
officially began in the Diocese of Elphin on Saturday 12 November last.
Over thirty participants gathered at Summerhill College in Sligo for the
first weekend of a propaedeutic or preliminary year which will lead
into the three year formation programme.
The opening day began with an introduction from the Director of the
Programme, Father Michael Duignan, followed by input from Bishop Kevin
Doran, Bishop of Elphin.
An afternoon session introducing catechesis and
the work of a catechist was given by Ms Colette Furlong, who works as a
full-time Catechist to the Sligo Parish Cluster.
The day concluded with
a celebration of the Eucharist led by Bishop Doran.
The initiative, called ‘Partners in the Gospel’, was launched by
Bishop Doran in February.
The programme will involve lay people being
formally commissioned as official leaders of faith-based education
programmes in partnership with priests and parish communities. It is the
first systematic introduction of the ministry in the Diocese of Elphin.
In an information booklet on the new initiative, Bishop Doran said,
“Even for people who believe in Jesus Christ, Faith is not thought of as
‘good news’. This may have something to do with the fact that, while
much good work is going on in our parishes, our focus tends to be more
on religious practice than on a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. If
we want something to change, then we have to do something different …
It seems that the time has now come to establish the ministry of
catechist as part of the life of every parish community in our diocese.
It would be intended to nourish the faith of those who are already
active in their local Christian Community; to fan the flame of faith in
those who are baptised but have drifted away from the practice of their
faith and to proclaim the good news to those living among us for whom
Christ and the Church remain unknown or unfamiliar.”
The training programme is part-time and spread over four years.
The
first year is a preliminary year where the candidates participate in a
number of exploratory weekends.
Over the next three years, the
candidates will be offered an integrated programme of spiritual
formation, personal development and formal studies leading to an
accredited Diploma in Lifelong Religious Education (NQF Level 8).
Alongside this, they will participate in relevant placements.
Normally, the role is a voluntary one where the person commits
initially for five years to giving two to four hours of their time per
week to organising and delivering various faith related programmes and
opportunities.
In welcoming the initiative, Colette Furlong, Catechist in the Sligo
Cluster Parishes, said, “This is such a great initiative. It provides
that missing link between the ideal of lay involvement in pastoral and
catechetical outreach in the diocese and the theological grounding
needed to do so effectively. The thought that we might have a number of
lay adults not just willing to be involved in an initiative like
outreach to parents of Confirmation children, or parents preparing to
have a child baptised for example, but pastorally and theologically
equipped for the ministry, revives that vision. This is so welcome and
so broadens our pastoral and catechetical options for the future.”
The Programme Director, Father Michael Duignan, commented, “Similar
to the introduction of permanent deacons some years ago, this new
venture in lay ministry is another very welcome and exciting development
in our diocese. It will offer people who wish to grow in knowledge of
their own faith and share that knowledge in a dynamic way with others a
real and recognised opportunity to do so in partnership with the Bishop,
priests and parishioners.”
For further information see www.elphindiocese.ie