"I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 8:12
Faith formation is a responsibility of the entire Christian community. This should not be the work of catechists and priests alone but of the whole community of the faithful.
The Christian community follows the development of catechetical processes for children, young people, and adults as a duty that involves and binds it directly. (GDC 220)
A fully Christian community can exist only when a systematic catechesis of all its members occurs and when an effective and well-developed catechesis of adults is regarded as the central task of the catechetical enterprise.” (ACCC, no. 25).
The Profession of Faith "I Believe" - "We Believe"
We begin our profession of faith by saying: "I believe" or "We believe." Before expounding the Church's faith, as confessed in the Creed, celebrated in the liturgy, and lived in observance of God's commandments and prayer, we must first ask what "to believe" means.
Faith is man's response to God, who reveals himself and gives himself to man, simultaneously bringing man a superabundant light as he searches for the ultimate meaning of his life. Thus, we shall consider that search, then the divine Revelation by which God comes to meet man, and finally the response of faith.
Handing on the Faith: Catechesis
Quite early on, the name catechesis was given to the totality of the Church's efforts to make disciples, to help men believe that Jesus is the Son of God so that believing they might have life in his name, and to educate and instruct them in this life, thus building up the body of Christ.
"Catechesis is an education in the faith of children, young people, and adults which includes especially the teaching of Christian doctrine imparted, generally speaking, organically and systematically, to initiate the hearers into the fullness of Christian life."
Working together, we will be able to help our children: