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The Directory for Catechesis and The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
“What I received from the Lord I have handed on to you.”
1 Cor 11:23
In 2020, as the world was entering into a global quarantine, the Pontifical Council for Promotion of the New Evangelization presented the Directory for Catechesis. This document sheds new light on the work of catechesis, and, even more importantly, on being a catechist. Much attention is given to the formation of catechists because it “seems urgent to recover their ministry in the Christian community…only catechists who live out their ministry as a vocation can contribute to the efficacy of catechesis.” (Preface to the Directory of Catechesis)
This new document offers a reinterpretation of the nature, goals, criteria of the person, role, and formation of catechists. We hear in this document that being a catechist requires “a firm trust in the Holy Spirit, who is present and active in the Church, the world and the human heart.” (DC, 4)
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is currently participating in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Catechetical Accompaniment Process (CAP), a dialogical and formational review that supports catechetical resources in fidelity to the Church’s catechetical vision. Through this process, the full scope of CGS including materials, formation, and family resources, has been carefully reviewed, with feedback that has been largely affirming. As the first method-based, non-textbook catechetical approach to be reviewed through CAP, CGS continues this process in a spirit of collaboration, listening, and trust, confident in its deep alignment with the Church’s evangelizing and kerygmatic mission and committed to faithful accompaniment of children, families, and catechists.