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The parish as an environment for
catechesis
257. The parish is, without
doubt, the most important locus in which the Christian community is formed and
expressed. This is called to be a fraternal and welcoming family where
Christians become aware of being the people of God. (257) In the
parish, all human differences melt away and are absorbed into the universality
of the Church. (258) The parish is also the usual place in which the
faith is born and in which it grows. It constitutes, therefore, a very adequate
community space for the realization of the ministry of the word at once as
teaching, education and life experience.
Today, the parish is undergoing profound
transformation in many countries. Social changes are having repercussions on
the parish especially in big cities "shaken by the phenomenon of
urbanization". (259) Despite this, "the parish is still a
major point of reference for the Christian people, even for the non-practising".
(260) It must however, continue " to be the prime mover and
pre-eminent place for catechesis", (261) while recognising that in
certain occasions, it cannot be the centre of gravity for all of the ecclesial
functions of catechesis and must integrate itself into other institutions.
258. In order that the parish
may succeed in activating effectively the mission of evangelization, some
conditions must be fulfilled:
a) Adult catechesis (262) must be given priority. This involves
"a post-baptismal catechesis, in the form of a catechumenate,
...presenting again some elements from the Rite of Christian Initiation of
Adults with the purpose of allowing a person to grasp and live the immense,
extraordinary richness and responsibility received at Baptism".
(263)
b) With renewed courage, the proclamation of the Gospel to those
alienated or who live in religious indifference (264) must be planned.
In this task, pre-sacramental meetings (preparation for Marriage, Baptism
and First Holy Communion of children) can be fundamental. (265)
c) As a solid reference point for parochial catechesis it is necessary to
have a nucleus of mature Christians, initiated into the faith, to whom
different pastoral concerns can be entrusted. This objective can be more easily
achieved by the formation of small ecclesial communities. (266)
d) While the preceding points refer mainly to adults, at the same time
catechesis for children, adolescents, and young people—which is always indispensable—will
also benefit greatly.
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