Catechesis revolution

Over the past years Utrecht’s diocese alone has closed or grouped over 350 parishes, while in The Netherlands an equal number of churches have already closed or will be in the coming months. Economic difficulties, drop in vocations, lower participation are the evident causes of these drastic decisions by the Dutch bishops, sometimes also criticized by the laity. Moreover, efforts have been made to support initiatives or try to rekindle a Catholicism that is showing signs of fatigue. Catechesis is nonetheless going through a new phase. In fact, the diocese of Utrecht has promoted a three-year formation course for catechists, as signalled by a new proposal for the initiation of children and youths thereby revolutionizing the concept of Christian formation of children. Sarah Numico, for SIR Europe, has asked John Marx, coordinator of the new editorial project nearing its completion, to explain the novelties of “Light on our way”. What is the novelty of this catechetical formation? “Since the Second Vatican Council in Holland we no longer had a complete method for catechetical teaching. The last catechesis for children dates back to 1967, also because the situation in Holland is such that Catholic communities were lacking proposals for children. Preparation for First Communion and Confirmation had always been carried out in schools with the support of parishes. Today, in a completely renewed cultural context it’s ever more difficult for schools to propose catechesis, also because classrooms are made of Muslim, Christian and atheist pupils, which highlights the need for Catholic communities to resume Christian formation drawing from a complete method of catechetical education for children and youths. It’s a new way of working in our communities. The new method isn’t limited to formation for first Communion and Confirmation. In fact, it’s part of a process to be carried out in parishes, that fills a gap in spiritual education present before and after the sacraments”. What are the strengths of this method? “First of all the structure: it’s a 5-step process, each of which lasts three years, from 4 to 19. In each phase is presented complete catechism, according to the age of the child, namely the creed, sacraments, the Bible, the Ten Commandments and prayers, according to the tradition of catechism of the Catholic Church. I consider this yet another interesting element, namely, that the whole of catechism is proposed to children in a cyclical manner, which makes it possible to consider moments of interaction among various age brackets, successive insights according to individual development, thereby enabling also children that enter this process at a later stage or who interrupt it, to have a complete understanding of Christian faith. The booklets have a very modern presentation, with illustrations according to the various age groups. Most important, there are constant references to personal life, experiences, to prevent that it may be perceived as something abstract or distant”. What feedback do you expect? “We have already been adopting the new method in some forty communities, but it’s not simple, because communities have to get used to it, so that first of all it’s important to involve parents, youths and catechists to begin with. On the basis of the experience we have had until now it’s not easy to promote the groups, but when they are activated there is great enthusiasm. Also parents responded positively. In the case of small children they are asked to be more involved, for example by reading stories to them when they get home”. How do you intend to reach out to the faithful to present the new proposal? “Points of contact are the sacraments. For example, after the First Communion children want to learn more, they want to continue the path of catechesis and therefore at this stage they can be involved in the new method. The same thing happens after Confirmation. Another point of contact are the periodical meetings that parishes offer to small children and to parents on Sundays”. How has the “Light on our path” come about? “It’s an initiative of my bishop of Roermond, Frans Wiertz, who entrusted me this assignment in 2008. It took time to prepare the project and to coordinate, under the supervision of the auxiliary bishop Everard de Jong, a team of 48 people who worked on it for the past years. We have already prepared five proposals; we are now completing two specific handbooks for First Communion and Confirmation. In addition to editors, writers, we have involved five illustrators for each age bracket, a web-designer that prepared a website of support with other materials in addition to written materials. There is also music, songs, films, and several links for further educational paths. Also other bishops of the Dutch Bishops’ Conference have adopted it. The new method will be used also in dioceses across Belgium”.