Dcn. Sean Costello’s Introduction

Archbishop’s Vigneron’s Reflection & Blessing

Dcn. Sean Costello introduces  Sr. Johanna

Kerygma and Encounter

Directory for Catechesis 15I:    

He inaugurates and proclaims the kingdom of God for every person. Jesus Christ, with his life, is the fulness of Revelation: he is the complete manifestation of God’s mercy, and at the same time of the call to love that is in the heart of humanity. “He himself revealed to us that ‘God is love’ (1 John 4:8) and at the same time taught us that the new command of love was the basic law of human perfection and hence of the world’s transformation.” (GS 38). Entering into communion with him and following him confers fulness and truth upon human life: “Whoever follows after Christ, the perfect man, becomes himself more of a man.” (GS 41). 

Reflection 1

Look at the quote from the Directory for Catechesis.  Did anything attract your attention? Did anything touch your heart? Was there anything that you have never thought about before?  Were there specific words that touched you?

What is your earliest recollection of Jesus in your life? Have you served Jesus in the “distressing disguise of the poor,” as Mother Teresa said many times? The poor are not just the materially poor but those who are grieving, who need instruction, a friend, patience, and our love.

Accompaniment

Directory for Catechesis, 113

“…the catechist is an expert in the art of accompaniment (cf EG169-73), has educational expertise, is able to listen and enter into the dynamics of human growth, becomes a travelling companion with patience and a sense of gradualness, in docility to the action of the Spirit and through a process of formation helps his brothers to mature in the Christian life and journey toward God. The catechist, an expert in humanity, knows the joys and hopes of human beings, their sadness and distress (cf GS 1) and is able to situate them in relation to the Gospel of Jesus. 

Reflection 2

Look at the quote from the Directory for Catechesis.  Did anything attract your attention? Did anything touch your heart? Was there anything that you have never thought about before?  Were there specific words that touched you?

Think for a minute, who have you accompanied in their journey to God?  Have you simply been with that person? Have you directed that person along their path? Has that journey been difficult?  Did that journey bring you joy?

Liturgy

Directory for Catechesis 96:

The liturgy is ‘the privileged place for catechizing the People of God’ (CCC1074)…Catechesis, therefore, cannot be thought of merely as preparation for the sacraments but must be understood in relationship to the liturgical experience. “Catechesis is intrinsically linked with the whole of liturgical and sacramental activity, for it is in the sacraments, especially in the Eucharist, that Christ Jesus works in fulness for the transformation of human beings.”3 Therefore, liturgy and catechesis are inseparable and nourish one another. 

Reflection 3

Look at the quote from the Directory for Catechesis.  Did anything attract your attention? Did anything touch your heart? Was there anything that you have never thought about before?  Were there specific words that touched you?

Jesus is present in every liturgical celebration in the Church, especially in the Eucharist, where he is present Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.  What could distract me from being aware that Jesus is present, especially if I am attending Mass with my students?  What could I do to be less distracted? 

Culture

Directory for Catechesis 44:

The relationship between Gospel and culture has always posed a challenge to the life of the Church. Her task is to guard faithfully the deposit of faith, but at the same time “it is necessary that this sure and immutable doctrine, which must be given the assent of faith, be explored and presented according to the needs of our time”. In the current situation, marked by a great distance between faith and culture, it is urgent to rethink the work of evangelization with new categories and new languages that may serve to emphasize its missionary dimension.  

Reflection 4

Look at the quote from the Directory for Catechesis.  Did anything attract your attention? Did anything touch your heart? Was there anything that you have never thought about before?  Were there specific words that touched you?

What is the culture in my school, in my classroom?  Inculturation is the marvelous exchange of goods.  We bring the culture to the Gospel and the Gospel to the culture.  In what ways is this made possible in your school and your classroom?

The closing prayer is taken from the Liturgy of Hours (Divine Office), Saturday Evening Prayer.

Canticle Philippians 2:6-11

Christ, God’s holy servant

Though He was in the form of God,

Jesus did not deem equality with God

Something to be grasped at.

Rather, he emptied himself 

and took the form of a slave, 

being born in the likeness of men.

He was known to be of human estate,

and it was thus that he humbled himself,

obediently accepting even death,

death on a cross!

Because of this,

God highly exalted him

and bestowed on him the name

above every other name,

So that at Jesus’ name

every knee must bend

in the heavens, on the earth,

and under the earth,

and every tongue proclaim

to the glory of God the Father:

JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!