Called As Community?

From the Michigan Catholic: Who Among You Is Called To Be A Catechist?, from Sr. Janet Schaeffler.

"The surprising thing about God is that God calls us as a community, not as individuals. Our journey, our faith journey, is together. We go to God together. Catechists have responded to a significant and needed call in the Church today. Yet it is a call that asks them to be on a journey with, alongside, others; what a privilege! And in that journey, we all learn from each other – no matter what the age or ability of the others on the journey with us."

No where in this article is it mentioned that a catechist is called to pass on the truths of Christ's Church faithfully; she uses descriptions like "an echo of God's Word", a "connector", to "call people forth to be people for others". Sounds similar to how Christ instructed the disciples to "Go, therefore, and be connectors of all nations", doesn't it? *Snark* off.

Actually, I am a catechist this year, starting my seventh year. I taught 1st grade for two years, then because of dissatisfaction with the parish program, I dropped out and taught my sons one on one for three years. Then, two years ago, I joined a local catechism group affiliated with a different parish. It's not a parish program per se, but one more for home-schooled children, and parents who are unhappy with the programs offered by our local parish. This year, I'm teaching 8th grade, preparing the students for the sacrament of Confirmation. There are no plans on being an echo or a connector. I don't even know what that means - except that it sounds touchy-feely. My goal is to prepare the kids and get them ready for a very important stage in their lives as young Catholics. To tell them the truth without watering down the Truth. To (hopefully) help them embrace their faith and recognize the importance of belief and hope and faith and charity, so that when they receive the Holy Spirit next Spring, they will be well disposed.

So, Sr Schaeffler, I'll be a teacher, not a connector. I'll be a witness to the faith, not an echo of God's Word. Get your head out of Eckhart Tolle or whomever else you're reading, and get serious about what it truly means to be a catechist.