Everywhere we go, we have the power to manifest Jesus.
That’s the message Father Stephen DeLacy of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia gave religious educators at the Diocese of Harrisburg’s annual Catechetical Conference on Saturday, September 19.
Father DeLacy’s candid and energetic keynote presentation, “The Catechist as Witness,” called Catholic educators to deeply reflect on the ministry they’re entrusted to.
“If we are a witness, we are an encounter with God,” he said.
“We’re all supposed to be able to say that God is working through us,” said Father DeLacy, who serves as Vicar for the Office for Faith Formation with Youth and Young Adults.
Witnesses, he said, are not reporters. Rather, they are people on the journey to the kingdom of heaven, remembering and sharing encounters they experienced with Christ.
“As witnesses, when you show up to class, you’re doing something very powerful but relatively simple. You’re recalling the stories of Jesus, and Jesus shows up,” Father DeLacy told those who teach in parish religious education programs.
“What we need to do, then, is see every scripture passage, every story, every teaching as something that we want to encounter – not just know, not just memorize, not just study, not just get the right answer on the test. We encountered the living mystery and we’re able to share it in such a way that we cultivate an encounter with other people. That’s what defines a witness,” he said.
Hosted by the Diocesan Office of Catechesis, the conference offered continuing education opportunities, with various break-out sessions that covered Theology of the Body, Artificial Intelligence and the dignity of the human person, engaging and strengthening families, and a dive into the nature of and identity of Jesus Christ.
The day began with the celebration of Mass by Bishop Timothy Senior. In his homily, he called attention to his pastoral letter, “Stir into Flame,” released in June as a call for the faithful to renew their commitment to the Gospel and “stir into flame” the gifts of faith bestowed through Baptism and Confirmation.
“The primary mission of the Church is to lead people to Jesus Christ, to proclaim Jesus Christ. Evangelization is the reason the Church exists. You’re on the front lines of that work,” the bishop told the congregation of religious educators.
“Formation is about teaching methods and using creative ways to introduce the great mysteries of the faith to our young people, to capture their hearts, to excite them about the faith and to help them desire to grow closer to Jesus Christ,” he said.
“But in order to do that more effectively, it is not just about getting the tools and creative ideas and initiatives; it is about our own relationship with Jesus. It is developing our own faith, deepening our own relationship with him. That reality in ourselves helps us, gives us the energy, gives us the understanding and the vision to accompany those whom we hope to lead to him,” he said.
(Photos by Jen Reed, The Catholic Witness)
By Jen Reed, The Catholic Witness
