Guest Post by Judith Costello
When
I first started writing for CatechismClass.com, I was told to follow the
formula on which this form of catechesis is based. It is a 7 part formula, and the truth is, I
thought it was too cumbersome. But I set out to try it, to work within this
format. And now I truly believe this is a Divinely inspired way to teach!
Any
attempt at instruction should include facts, background information,
inspiration and a way to integrate the material--but that rarely happens. In the CatechismClass.com format, the head and
the heart, the body and the soul are reached because of a clearly defined
process.
What
is this format? It includes stunning
visuals from the rich history of our faith. And then there are 7 stages to the
instruction:
The Introduction includes the historical
background on the topic as well as a clear, concise description of the material
to be covered.
This
is followed by Prayer. All we do
should begin and end in prayer. In the case of these lessons, the prayers are
often related directly to the material being studied.
The
next step is to consult Scripture.
Our faith is deeply rooted in the Word of God.
The
following step is to look at the Church
documents which address the topic. The Catechisms of the Church-- not only
the current Catechism but our historical documents-- as well as the writings of
the Popes and the saints, give clear instruction and inform us on the Sacred
Tradition of our faith. When we instruct our youth, new members of the faith and
adults who want to deepen their faith, we are not giving them a new theory. We
are sharing from the deep well of faith. Truth must be understood and then we
must proclaim it to the world!
To
deepen the understanding of the previous materials, there is a section of Integration. Again, this is not theory.
It is a reflection based in Scripture and Tradition that deepens the
understanding of faith topics.
Following
this section, an Activity and
Comprehension Quiz are offered. These materials allow the student to
interact with the lesson. The activities may vary greatly, but the purpose is
to put the lesson into practice in some way.
I like to offer creative activities: make a rosary, draw a picture,
journal, create a frame for artwork…these are some ideas I have shared with
readers. Then the quiz offers a way to test understanding, which is absolutely
essential. We want to make sure the material is truly understood.
The
end is of course, Prayer. We begin
and end in prayer and make the entire teaching a form of prayer! As Christ
Himself taught us, “Pray without ceasing.” 1
Thessalonians 5:17.
1 comment(s):
I wonder how the church looks. Im very interested to visit the place.
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