"We are Catholics desiring to know, love and serve our Lord Jesus Christ."

Knowing, Loving and Serving Our God

During the Christmas season, at the celebration of the Holy Family, the Gospel concluded with the statement, "The child (Jesus) grew and became strong, filled with wisdom and the favor of God was upon him.” Every family who brings children to religious education is hoping for that same outcome for their children. Catechists, teachers and catechetical leaders are called to assist the parents, the primary educators of the children, in fulfilling that hope.

In New Testament times, three elements of faith received particular emphasis. In Greek, these elements were known as kerygma, leitourgia and diakonia. By including these elements in the catechesis that we provide to our students, we can do much that can help parents realize their hope.

Kerygma can be defined as the proclamation of religious truths. Our formation programs, for children, youth and adults, are certainly called to proclaim the truths of the Catholic faith. Faithfully and fully proclaiming our faith, kerygma, will enable those who participate in our programs to know Jesus Christ.

Leitourgia, liturgy or worship, is the most appropriate response to the proclamation of faith. Hopefully, through participation in our formation programs our students are motivated to actively participate in our church's liturgy. And, through that worship, leitourgia, they develop an ever deeper love for our Lord.

Diakonia, ministry or service, is motivated through both our knowledge and our love of Christ. Our formation programs, in the spirit of diakonia, are most effective when opportunities for service are provide as an integral part of the catechetical process. Through these experiences of service, diakonia, our students will form, as a life long habit, the desire to serve Christ through service to others.