Catechetical Sunday September 18, 2011
Catechetical Sunday Is Here, Again
It is September again. For some the school year has already begun. For others, classes will soon begin.
Whatever the case, Catechetical Sunday is observed in churches across the country.
To bring our scholastic studies into focus, we put our attention to Christ, the Holy Wisdom of God, and see that we, as members of His Church are together in Him. Again, ECED, the Eastern Conference of Eparchial Directors of Religious Education has supplied a poster to accompany this observance. As well, there are prayers and bulletin or pulpit announcements available for catechetical coordinators to distribute to the parishes if a formal ceremony is planned to inaugurate the school year. There are also certificates for students and teachers.
The poster for this year reminds us that our connection with Christ also connects us to others who believe in Him—no matter their method or manner of approach we employ to worship Him.
The Church in America is greatly enhanced by the varied ways it expresses the Catholic Faith. The presence of large numbers of Eastern Catholic Churches in the United States is a testimony to the catholic nature of the Body of Christ that is also one, holy and apostolic.
Whatever our Tradition, whatever our ritual family background, we learn that Christ is the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow. Whether we are Armenian, Byzantine, or Syriac of whatever particular Church, we have the fullness of the Gospel to lead us.
Close attention to the poster can help us see that Christ is the main entity of the Church. He is alive in each— a fact accentuated by the use of the color green, so often associated with abundant life. He is in the midst of all of us—shown by the inclusion of the names of the Eastern family of Churches to which we belong. Our importance is faint in relationship to His fullness. He overshadows our every activity—as His image hovers over a few of the ways we come to be gathered together “in His Name.”
It may be in a church—or in a procession on the way—at a concert of hymns of praise to Him. We can show our enlightened state in a bright surrounding—or express a sense of awaiting the Second Coming in a subdued atmosphere of a candle-lit sanctuary.
He can be met—and served at the Holy Table; studied in a formal setting; experienced in a casual, social atmosphere. We find him where we live, how we live.
“Catechetical Sunday” is not just for formally-conducted classroom instruction—but a chance for us to realize that every time we come together, whether at the parish church for a Divine Liturgy, or even just sitting around enjoying the company of other Christs (other Christians) we are in His presence—and He is in our midst. We keep Him alive for ourselves and for others.
The poster has no date—it may be left up indefinitely as a reminder that “catechism” is not for a limited time or place, but for every day of our life.
For more information on Eastern Catholic Churches in the United States see http://www.eced-eca.org or call your Eparchial Religious Education Office.
The Way
August 14, 2011
