Liturgy and Catechesis

This Sunday marks the annual observance of Catechetical Sunday in the United States. The theme is "Catechesis and the Proclamation of the Word." This usually passes by without a lot of fanfare. Some parishes may bless catechists at Mass or highlight this important ministry in some way or another. Liturgists tend to roll their eyes at another "liturgical add-on" imposed by the catechists.

Each year, the USCCB issues excellent resources for this weekend (resources that, unfortunately, rarely make it into the hands of parish liturgists and musicians). It is a sad fact in our Church that those responsible for catechesis and those responsible for liturgy often don't talk. It's not the fault of anyone--it is simply reality.

That's why I am particularly impressed with one of the articles that the USCCB posted this year called Catechesis and Liturgy: Harmony or Fragmentation? It provides an honest look at the relationship between catechesis and liturgy in the average Catholic parish.

...the intimate relationship between catechesis and liturgy is not always evident in our ministry. There has been an unintended but real “disconnect” on the pastoral level between catechesis and liturgy, and between catechists and liturgists. In fact, the General Directory for Catechesis (GDC) identifies this relationship as one of the problematic areas of our ministry in recent years, affirming that, although “catechesis is intrinsically bound to every liturgical and sacramental action,” it is nevertheless often the case that frequently. . . the practice of catechetics testifies to a weak and fragmentary link with the liturgy: limited attention to liturgical symbols and rites, scant use of the liturgical fonts [traditions], catechetical courses with little or no connection with the liturgical year; the marginalization of liturgical celebrations in catechetical programs. (GDC, no. 30 [Washington, DC: USCCB, 1997])

If you have the time, the entire article is worth reading (it isn't very long). It might even be good to share this with your pastor and other staff members as a starter for discussion. Liturgists and catechists need to talk. And we all need to listen and learn so that the liturgy truly is, as it says in the Catechism (1074), the "privileged place for catechizing the People of God."