Evangelization is essential – it is THE essential - mission of the Church, and catechists are in the privileged position to share closely in that mission.
Catechesis, a foundational element of evangelization, is much more than spending one hour a week in a classroom setting explaining tenets of the faith. In their classrooms, homes, and parish halls, catechists engage in their apostolate by:
 

 

By virtue of our baptism, all Christians are called to be evangelizers and to share faith with others. Christian education is directed toward the fulfillment of the whole person intellectually, morally, and spiritually, and to give glory to God in all things including creation, cultures, and all human endeavors. Catechists seek to “help in the Christian formation of the world that takes place when natural powers, viewed in the full consideration of man redeemed by Christ, contribute to the good of the whole society” (Gravissimum Educationis, 2).
 
Catechists spread the Good News, usually in a parish or school environment, sowing the Good Seed of Christ. Through their students and families, catechists touch and enlighten the parish and larger community. Catechesis, by its nature, challenges us to initiate faith and conversion to Christ, that “profound change of mind and heart, a change of life, a ‘metanoia’” (NDC, 17A).

 

Definition of Catechist 
A catechist is a practicing Catholic in good standing with a heart fixed on God and His Bride, the Church. He or she responds to the universal call to holiness by teaching Jesus Christ and His message of forgiveness, mercy, and salvation to others. Catechists are those teachers who endeavor to bear witness through words and deeds to the Truth that is Christ--and to put people not only in touch but in communion with Him (Catechesi Tradendae, 5).
 
Catechists must be diligent about their own proper formation and at the same time give primacy to the working of the Holy Spirit who bestows the charity, grace, and charisms that allow them to teach the fullness of Truth. Catechists rely particularly on the supernatural charisms of wisdom, understanding, and knowledge as special gifts to teach the faith with particular effectiveness.
 
The most important element in religious education is not the facility, the textbook series, or the quality and/or quantity of classroom materials. It is the personal witness of a well-formed and faithful teacher touched with the zeal of the Holy Spirit who brings the lessons to life.  
 
Catechists working under the auspices of the parish or local church are necessary:

 
The Catechist as Teacher 
“Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” (Mt 19:16) That poignant question touches the heart of each and every catechist as he or she teaches Jesus Christ and Him crucified to his or her students. While recognizing the primacy of parents as the first and most important educators of their children, the Church recognizes her responsibility and the importance of offering assistance to both families and the community. To transmit the faith authentically, catechists use both divine and human pedagogy and materials that clearly convey the loving message of Jesus Christ and the salvation He brings. “Truly the effort for evangelization will profit greatly—at the level of catechetical instruction given at church, in the schools … if those giving catechetical instruction have suitable texts, updated with wisdom and competence, under the authority of the bishops” (Evangelium Nuntiandi,44).

 

Therefore, in an organized and systematic manner the catechist:

 
The Place of the Catechist: Home, School, Parish, Diocese and the World
The Kingdom of God encompasses heaven and earth – every mind and will, every heart and soul. Whether one is an ordained, religious or lay catechist, we are all called to continue Christ’s mission to go out and teach all nations by emphasizing the relationship of faith and life. The message that is Christ should impact learners holistically, personally, culturally, economically and politically, in order to live a life of sanctity and service.
 
Catechists are active agents of inculturation, teaching the Good News in the language and culture of the hearers in homes, parishes, dioceses, and the world – just where you would expect to find them as members of a universal Church.

 

As communicators of living faith, catechists search for ways:

 
God’s Pedagogy – the Art of Catechesis 
As catechists, we follow in the footsteps of the Master Catechist. Catechesis is more than just teaching, just as a curriculum is more than just a textbook. It is both art and science using various materials and methods for the purpose of opening hearts and minds to the Holy Spirit, through Christ to the Father. Participation in ongoing formation is an indispensable tool for growth in the spiritual life of the catechist as well as providing opportunities to be more effective in forming students authentically in the faith. Through our apostolate, catechists are privileged to share in the redemptive work of Christ.