| 6. Each child is expected to be receiving on-going catechesis
both before and after the time of celebrating the sacraments.
A child baptised as an infant is educated and formed into
the faith of the Christian community. This is called catechesis.
It naturally involves formation in the sacramental life of
the community. Obviously the parish sacramental preparation
program - a short, proximate preparation to receive the sacraments
- will not be sufficient to provide formation in the sacraments
to last a lifetime. There is the distinct task of providing
an on-going program of catechesis that supports the child's
general faith formation and instruction.
An on-going catechetical program provides for that understanding
of their faith and of the sacraments, appropriate to their
age, which is required of all candidates. Already at seven
years of age, it includes knowledge of the
Father's love, of the mystery of Jesus and of the gift of
the Spirit; of the Church as God's family; and of our call
to live as God's children.
In the parish school, the Religious Education Guidelines
ensure that children are properly instructed for the reception
of the sacraments at whatever age they present themselves
because education for sacramental understanding occurs throughout
the school's religious education program.
For children attending other schools, the parish should
assist in providing an on-going catechesis that builds on
contact made within the school. This may be offered at the
parish centre or in homes, after school or at weekends, in
conjunction with the Sunday liturgy, or in family groupings.
Regular parent involvement is vital in the catechesis of
children and should be encouraged both by providing suitable
adult faith education opportunities, and by the use of strategies
that draw parent and child together in a faith dialogue.
The on-going program of catechesis should commence as the
child enters formal schooling in Year 1, and continue beyond
the period of sacramental initiation throughout the years
of schooling. It will include involvement in youth groups
and other parish activities and ministries, both within the
liturgy and outside it.
As a child grows to adulthood, there will be a number of
opportunities to ritualise the stages of growth in faith.
There is the annual opportunity offered by the Easter renewal
of baptismal promises. This rite may be especially powerful
if it follows an intense religious experience
such as a retreat or youth camp. These occasions may be times
of conversion which can appropriately be celebrated in the
sacrament of penance, renewing the faith of baptism and restoring
a young person to the table of the eucharist. An awareness
of these on-going possibilities will enable a child's growth
in faith to be supported by the celebration of the sacraments. |
