By Dr Pina Ford
The Mass, which was held in the Catholic Education Centre’s Chapel of St Michael the Archangel on 22 October is a joyous occasion that celebrates the vital work of those involved in diverse catechetical ministries.
These ministries serve the needs of Catholic children not attending Catholic schools through the support of the Catechist Service; and also adults with special needs through the support of the Personal Advocacy Service.
During his homily, Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton affirmed and encouraged the 30 newly commissioned Catechists and those who were continuing their journey of formation. Bishop Sproxton was joined for the occasion by concelebrants, Vicar for Clergy, the Very Rev Fr Minh Thuy Nguen, Catholic Education Chaplain and Salvatorian Congregational Leader, Fr George Kolodziej SDS, several parish and assistant priests and assisted by Director of Religious Education, Deacon Mark Powell.
Expressing his great admiration for catechists he said: “Their ministry is one of the great jewels of the Archdiocese.” He was grateful for the wonderful opportunity to honour catechists for the generous service they give over many years.
Referring to the Gospel of the day and reflecting on the mission of catechists, Bishop Don said that ‘to be ready’ is not to have everything together, but to be open to receive from the God who fills all our gaps. The Gospel speaks of a generous God, with Jesus himself, the great icon of God’s generosity, who has shown us how to be servants. Jesus, he said, was gentle in reaching people who were often living on the edges. He made himself available, journeying with them, and waiting patiently for the seed to germinate in them. “The seed is planted”, he said, “because of who we are.” The Bishop described his personal experience of this fruition of the seed catechists planted in many of the young adults he knew as a parish priest: they had the faith, hope and love to believe in a meaningful future.
The annual Eucharist for Catechists has been celebrated for close to 35 years. For this year’s event about 150 guests gathered to celebrate and give thanks, including Catechists and their families, parish priests who concelebrated the liturgy and special guests from Catholic Education WA and the Archdiocese of Perth.
For anyone who would like to know more about what it means to be a Catechist, you are invited to a special event on Wednesday October 30 at the Catholic Education Centre: COME AND SEE.
For more information, please contact Rae Webb: catechist@cewa.edu.au; or phone 0429 804 846