Fr. German’s
Message
September is the month to start again. Many activities
that had been stopped or slowed during the summer return to their normal pace.
Among the activities that start again are the
Catechism for children and young people and the preparation to receive the
sacraments of Christian initiation.
On the beginning of this school year we need to ask
ourselves whether the catechism is a priority in the education of our children
and, if so, why.
Parents choose for their school-age children whatever
they consider useful and necessary to their development. They send children to
school because they are convinced of the value and importance of education.
Parents know that children and young people with school or college training
will have more opportunities to succeed in life.
Parents are very demanding with their children, and
rightly so, when they teach their kids to respect others and to respect private
property. A child or a young person who steals can expect to be strongly
repressed because parents know that children need to respect the rules of
society and not grow to become an antisocial person.
In the education you want to give to your children, do
you think that Catechism is essential and that it gives your children elements
that will help them build peace and happiness in their lives?
Without doubt you can remember your Catechism
education. Perhaps you still have bad memories because of the teaching methods
used at your time. But remember that the school methods on those years were not
very nice either.
Do you remember that in the Catechism you were taught
to love your neighbor, to tell the truth, and to forgive those who have hurt
you? To serve others without expecting a reward, to consider others as equals
and not as slaves or instruments?
Do you remember that in the Catechism you were told
that violence and hatred must be fought to live in peace and in society?
Do you remember that during the mass in the Catechism
you met strangers, children, adults, and elderly people, who were very
different from each other but who said to be part of one single family?
Do you remember that in the Catechism you were invited
to attend church every Sunday because of the call of God who wants to feed us
with his Word and his Eucharist?
But, most importantly, do you remember that in the
Catechism you learned that God loves you?
Do you think that what you learned in your Catechism
has helped you live better and walk along the path of truth, love and justice?
Then, why would you deprive your children from this
experience and from making good use of an encounter with God and their
Christian brothers and sisters?
Catechism is a serious and important proposition in
the formation of your children. Success in Catechism education depends largely
on the parent’s commitment.
Your children need to discover that God loves them and
need to find a faithful friend called Jesus who will help them whenever they
need advice, a word of comfort, or strength to keep going.
Don’t disregard this invitation which is like no
other.
ENROLL YOUR CHILDREN IN THE CATECHISM AND COMMIT
YOURSELF TO HELP THEM FIND THE LOVE OF GOD AND THE PATH OF TRUTH AND JUSTICE.
Have a happy return to school days.
Fr. Germán September 2nd 2012 
