Catechists

Passing Down the Faith

(Excerpt from The Catholic Miscellany)

According to St. Thomas Aquinas, “To teach in order to lead others to faith is the task of every preacher and every believer.” In reality, all of us are catechists, because spreading the Gospel and the faith is technically everyone’s responsibility. Every baptized individual is called to “ECHO” God’s word and to build up the kingdom of God.

The requirements to become a Catechist in the Diocese of Charleston are:

  • Active Catholics in good standing with the Church.
  • Approved by the pastor and parish director of religious education.
  • Pass a background check.
  • Complete the VIRTUS training program required of all catechists and volunteers who potentially work with children.

Other important aspects are living their faith in a vibrant and visible way, and show why Church teaching (doctrine) is meaningful in their personal life. You do not need to be an expert in theology or Church doctrine. You need to have a willingness to be trained, to committee the time to plan classes, and to seek out resources.

Recommended Reading:

  • Catechism of the Catholic Church, Multiple versions available
  • United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
  • YOUCAT, Ignatius Press
  • The Catholic Source Book, Brown-Roa/Harcourt Brace Co.
  • A Well Built Faith, by Joe Paprocki, Loyola Press
  • A Compact History of the Catholic Church, by Alan Schreck, St. Anthony Messenger Press
  • Invitation to Catholicism, by Alice Camille, ACTA
  • Saint of the Day, St. Anthony Messenger Press
  • Catholic Study Bible, Oxford University Press
  • The Catholic Children’s Bible, St. Mary’s Press

Come and join us in passing down the faith!

Call Mrs. Elena Ziegler our Director of Christian Formation to learn more and get involved.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church originated with a recommendation made at the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops in 1985. On June 25, 1992 Pope John Paul II officially approved the definitive version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. On December 8, 1992 Pope John Paul II promulgated the Catechism with an apostolic constitution.

Each chapter in the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults includes stories, doctrine, reflections, quotations, discussion questions, and prayers to lead the reader to a deepening faith. 

Developed with the help of young Catholics and written for middle and high-school age people and young adults, YOUCAT is an accessible, contemporary expression of the Catholic Faith. The appealing graphic format includes Questions-and-Answers, highly readable commentary, summary definitions of key terms, Bible citations and inspiring and thought-provoking quotes from Saints and others in the margins.

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