BUILDING A EUCHARISTIC COMMUNITY A Handbook for Liturgical Catechesis Mary J. McDonald Paper, $19.95 112 pages, 5½" × 8½" ISBN 0-89390-533-X View Table of Contents View Excerpt Quantity:

The centrality of Christ's death and resurrection in human history is the underlying theme of this handbook for parish catechetical leaders. Mary J. McDonald, a seasoned catechetical consultant, shows how the church, from its beginnings until the present, has celebrated this mystery in its liturgy. Full, conscious, and active participation in the liturgy is what enables members of the assembly to live the Christian life, she says, but this level of participation is not easy to achieve. To do so, parishes need to engage in full-scale liturgical catechesis for people of all ages. In her view, the lectionary is the primary catechetical text. Concentrating on the Sunday readings instills a knowledge and love of Scripture in members of the community, links them to the liturgical year and the Eucharist, and forms them into true disciples. Each chapter concludes with helpful reflection questions. An extended bibliography is included.

About the Author

Mary J. McDonald has been a schoolteacher and a director of religious education programs at the parish and diocesan levels. A native of Cornwall, England, she received her undergraduate degree in history from the University of London and her certificate in teaching from the University of Bristol in England. She received her graduate degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University in New Orleans. The mother of four children and grandmother of six, she lives with her husband in Alexandria, La.

Introduction

I. Liturgy

• Liturgical Renewal and Reform
• Understanding the Liturgy
• Catechesis and Liturgy

• Catechesis in the First Christian Centuries
• Medieval Times
• Consequences of the Reformation
• Between Trent and Vatican II
• Post Conciliar Documents
• The General Directory for Catechesis

• The Precatechumenate
• The Catechumenate
• The Rite of Election
• Purification and Enlightenment
• The Sacraments of Christian Initiation
• Mystagogia
• The Catechumenate and Contemporary Catechesis

• Sacred Scripture
• Sacred Tradition
• The Catechism of the Catholic Church
• The General Directory for Catechesis
• Faith
• The Development of Faith

• Environment
• Beginning the Session
• Introducing the Theme
• Expanding the Theme
• Introducing Doctrine
• Integrating the Theme
• Catechist Preparation
• Benefits of Lectionary Based Catechesis

• Sacramentality and Sacraments
• The Eucharistic Liturgy
• Bread, Wine and Water
• The Liturgical Year
• Effective Symbols
• Personal Symbols
• Understanding Symbols
• Symbolism and Catechesis
• Supplementary Rituals with Liturgical Catechesis

• Learned Vocal Prayer
• The Liturgy
• Meditation
• Contemplation
• Suggestions for Group Prayer

• The Importance of Catechist Formation
• Catechists and Religion Teachers
• The Lay Catechist
• The Gospel
• Immersion in the Process
• Doctrinal Preparation
• The Context of Catechesis
• Communication Skills
• Catechesis as Continuing Formation
• Diocesan and Parish Formation Programs
• The Call to Catechize

• Role of the Pastor
• Liturgy Planning
• Catechesis
• Sacraments
• The Community Supports Its Members
• The Parish School
• Inclusivity
• Small Faith Communities
• Outreach
• Developing a Eucharistic Community

Introduction

(Copyright © 2001 Resource Publications. All rights reserved.)

The document insisted that full participation of the people in the liturgical celebration must be the primary purpose of the restoration of the liturgy. The Council’s choice of the word “restoration” underlines the fact that in earlier centuries the involvement of the assembly was not in question.

The eucharist, then, should be at the very heart of the life of the Christian community. This does not mean only that the whole parish will gather at the Sunday celebration. Rather, it suggests that “eucharistic living” will be the norm every day of the week. Bringing with them all that they are, and offering themselves to the Father in union with the sacrifice of Christ, the community enters deeply into the paschal mystery, both collectively and individually. Strengthened at the Lord’s table they are sent forth again to minister, to continue Christ’s work, to be Eucharist to others. This cycle is repeated again and again.

Liturgical catechesis is not, as might be assumed, catechesis about the eucharistic celebration, though this will be a small part of it. Instead is a process that is centered on the liturgy and grows out of the Sunday celebration itself, at the same time fostering more active participation. It becomes the way people of all ages are formed in faith. Perhaps this statement may sound a little vague. “What about curriculum,” the reader may be thinking. “What about systematic doctrinal instruction? What age groups are targeted?” Some may even wonder, “Is this another newfangled idea that will erode the base of Catholic belief?”

Hopefully these questions are satisfactorily answered, along with others, in the course of the book. To address them very briefly here: There is no curriculum in the accepted sense of the word; the structure of the catechetical process is based on the seasons of the liturgical year. The learning of doctrine flows very naturally from the themes of the weekly Scripture readings. There are no age requirements: The Church’s catechetical documents of recent years unanimously affirm that catechesis should be lifelong and directed toward the ongoing conversion of every member of the Body of Christ. Therefore it is a process of formation rather than a program of instruction.

The aim of liturgical catechesis is not only to turn out children, teens or adults who are religiously literate; it is to form them into disciples of Jesus Christ, who live the values of the Gospel and work, in whatever situation they find themselves, to build up the kingdom of God. Far from eroding belief, it builds up faith in heart and soul as well as head. This type of holistic formation conforms very closely to the catechumenal model of catechesis prescribed for the whole Church by the recently issued General Directory for Catechesis. But it is not new. In fact it is a restoration of the catechetical model that was the norm in the early centuries of Christianity.

The venerable Latin axiom lex orandi, lex credendi (which may be translated “the way we pray is the way we believe”) attests to the fact that, traditionally, catechesis has been recognized as an important element of the liturgy. In 1963, Vatican II affirmed this understanding: “Although the sacred liturgy is principally the worship of the divine majesty, it likewise contains much instruction for the faithful” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 33). The following year, what was then the Sacred Congregation of Rites issued Instruction on the Proper Implementation of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, which states that the aim of the Constitution was “to foster the formation of the faithful and that pastoral activity of which the liturgy is the summit and source” (5).

Those called to the catechetical ministry desire to provide the type of Christian formation that will best help those they catechize to grow in faith and holiness. Unfortunately, in the years since Vatican II there has been much disagreement in the catechetical community, as among parents, about the best ways in which this formation can be achieved. The General Directory for Catechesis deplores the fact that sometimes “tendentious positions have been adopted and set in opposition to the interpretation and application of the renewal sought by the Church;” as a result we have witnessed “divisions which damage that witness of communion indispensable to evangelization” (28).

It is to be hoped that the promulgation of the General Directory for Catechesis will begin a process of healing and reconciliation so that there may be a more unified approach to catechesis in the Church. I hope that this handbook may, in a small way, contribute to such resolution of differences. The book is the fruit of many years of association with catechesis at many levels, during which I have been privileged to work as both a catechist and a leader in the catechetical ministry.

The handbook is intended to offer encouragement and guidance in the formation and nurturing of a eucharistic community through a holistic approach to catechesis. It briefly highlights some elements of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, and offers a short overview of catechesis in the Church through the centuries. We travel with a catechumen through the process of Christian initiation, the process that is to be the paradigm for all catechesis, and visit a lectionary-based catechetical session for children. In other chapters I discuss the stages of faith formation and the importance of symbolic ritual both in worship and in deepening faith. Suggestions are also offered for incorporating many types of prayer experiences into the catechetical process. An outline of the factors involved in the formation of liturgical catechists draws heavily on the section of the General Directory for Catechesis that is devoted to this important topic. A final chapter gives a thumbnail sketch of a parish community that is centered on the Eucharist, and outlines some strategies that may be helpful in building up and nurturing such a community.

My very grateful thanks go to many people who have contributed in some way to the writing of this book. I am particularly indebted to Sr. Alice Mary Buckley, CCVI, Ed.D., Barbara Fleischer, Ph.D., Fr. Patrick J. Madden, Ph.D., and Fr. Thomas Ranzino, all of whom read the manuscript and contributed many helpful insights and suggestions. Special thanks go also to my editor, Nick Wagner, for his ongoing help and his patience; Sr. Mary Ellen Theriot, director of religious education for the Diocese of Alexandria, has helped by generously sharing ideas and resources. Last, I would like to thank my family, whose love and encouragement have supported me, not just in the writing of this book, but throughout my years of ministry.