Family Catechesis
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Home Based Resources
What is Catechesis? It is an ancient word which means “Echoing God’s Word”. The person who does this is the catechist. Perhaps you have been praying with your child and talking about God’s presence and love in your lives. Wonderful! We recognize that you, as parents, are the first educators, the first catechists, for your child.
Why Family Catechesis? The effort in family catechesis is to help parents bring practical faith experiences into everyday life at home, to celebrate rituals, mark rites of passage (celebrating the arrival of a new baby or special visitors, leaving home, etc.) creating prayer spaces and blessing rituals. In family catechesis, all family members, adults as well as children, work, learn and pray together. They share their faith with each other and with other families. Family catechesis is about growing in faith. Recognizing that young and old learn about their faith through both experience and instruction, the Canadian Council of Bishops has approved the Born of the Spirit Home Resource for use in Canada. It offers parents and guardians a chance to be fully involved in the faith development of their children.
Corpus Christi Parish has adopted and will be offering all six years of this resource. This means that even though your child/children have completed the sacraments and you are interested in continuing with faith formation, you are invited to register your child. An outline and recommended use of the home-based resource for Corpus Christi Parish for is as follows:
Year 1- We Belong to God
(For 6, 7 & 8 year olds & a requirement for year 2)
The aim is to deepen the child’s experience of belonging to God by growing in friendship with the Lord Jesus who, in the power of the Holy Spirit, shows us the creative, forgiving, caring love of God. The content is the story of God told through the Good News of Jesus the Son in the power of the Holy Spirit. The central symbol is the Circle of Friends.
Year 2- We Belong to the Lord Jesus
(For children who participated in Year 1 & are preparing for Confirmation and First Eucharist)
The aim is to deepen the child’s experience of belonging to God by growing in friendship with the Lord Jesus who, in the power of the Holy Spirit, shows us the creative, forgiving, caring love of God, especially when we gather with the Christian community to celebrate the Eucharist. The content is the mystery of Jesus who invites us to deepen our friendship with Him and who, through the power of the Holy Spirit, draws us into the very life of God by giving Himself to us in the Eucharist. The central symbol is the Cup and Plate.
Year 3- In the Spirit We Belong
(For children preparing for penance and those continuing with faith formation)
The aim is to deepen the child’s experience of belonging to God through the community of the followers of Jesus gathered in the Spirit, The content is about the Holy Spirit active in the Church and in creation to fulfill God’s dream to gather all people. The central symbol is the Tent of Meeting.
Year 4- Come and See
(For children not yet confirmed and as a Home Resource for children continuing with faith formation)
The aim is to meet the Lord Jesus through the living experience of the Gospel witnesses and explore what it means for us to be a disciple and friend of Jesus today. The content is about Jesus Christ as proclaimed in the Church through the scriptures by the power of the Holy Spirit. The central symbol is the Tree Stump.
Year 5- May We Be One
(For children who have completed the sacraments and continuing with faith formation)
The aim is to explore what the Church does as it gives witness to Jesus in the Spirit. The content is the Church as sacrament. It presents the Church as the community of God’s people where the Lord Jesus is visible, active and present in the power of the Holy Spirit. The central symbol is the Rock.
Year 6- You Shall Be My Witness
(For children who have completed the sacraments and continuing with faith formation)
The aim is to explore how young Christians rooted in the Christian tradition, are witnesses of God’s justice and love. The content is the moral life of young Christians. The central symbol is the Lantern.
AY6 (After Year 6) - For children 12 years old and older and who wish to continue with faith formation.
“Spirit Program” which is based on Sunday Gospels and videos from “Salt and Light” ministry will be used.
For More Information Please Contact: Corpus Christi Parish - 368-9751