Eastern Churches Observe Catechetical
Sunday
The annual observance of –Catechetical SundayÓ in the
United States is upon us. This year, as in the past several
years, the Eastern Catholic Conference of Eparchial
Directors of Religious Education encourage every parish and
school to participate it the program.
To
emphasize the unique gifts of Eastern Christians, and the
special role played by them, the celebrations surrounding
Catechetical Sunday have been tailored to fit our approach
to teaching faith.
The thrust of the 2009 observance was developed at the
meeting of ECED members in Brooklyn, New York, in November,
2008. Working on three suggested themes: Commitment to God,
Family, Church; Total Eastern Christian Formation; and
Christian Living from Womb to Tomb, a poster was designed.
Each eparchy was supplied with posters to distribute to the
parishes in the jurisdiction. Along with this, each eparchy
following the Byzantine Tradition received sample prayers,
ceremonies, bulletin and pulpit announcements and
commentaries on the poster.
Once again, recognizing that each individual eparchy
and/or parishes may have its own schedule, no date appears
on the posteræallowing for its use any time in the year that
is appropriate.
The poster presents a depiction of two age groups
involved in learningæwhether visually or intellectuallyæso
as to emphasize the concept that –Catechesis is a life-long
journey.Ó The graphics underscore the place of saints in our
livesæand a reminder that these saints we revere were once
people just as we are. Through the practice of their faith,
they have come to live happily ever-after. We are here to
learn how to do this, as well.
God With Us Publications has an abundance of material
suitable for catechesis at all levels. The graded series of
texts is well-known. Many are familiar with the other
special publications and visual material available for use
in formal and informal learning settings.
Watch your parish bulletin for announcements of when
Catechetical Sunday will be held in your parishæand get your
study supplies from God With Us To order catechetical
materials go to
www.godwithusbooks.org or call Theological Book Service
at 1-877-484-1600.
To learn more about ECED [formerly ECDD] or God With Us
Publications e-mail:
GWUPub@Juno.com.
The poster for Catechetical Sunday 2009 highlights the
continual growth in faith that is so much a part of learning
from the saints in order to become one. It is not
impossibleæbut a chance to meet the challenge of truly
giving evidence to the –image and likeness of GodÓ within
us.
