Help for Catechists

Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" John 18:38 I teach the Confirmation Class at my parish. Teenagers often challenge an adult's wisdom, but in matters of faith they are both seeking truth and questioning it when they hear it. The job of teaching faith becomes even more difficult when society in inundated with movies like, The Da Vinci Code, and books like, The Secret.

I once heard an adult refer to an incorrect teaching regarding the faith, when she was questioned her response was, "They had it on television, so it must be true." Given this reasoning, Mister Ed was really a talking horse!

It is an uphill battle we face as educators of the truth. How do we present the truths of the Catholic Faith in a politically correct and lie-driven society.

To make our jobs even more challenging, some of the parents of our students may not be practicing their faith, either out of ignorance or out of disagreement with the Church on some teachings.

Recognize the Truth

Our first task is to know what truth is. Gone are the days when we could just teach out of our workbooks. If we are asked a question that we don't know, we have an obligation to check the Catechism of the Catholic Church and see what the Church teaches. We can talk to our parish priests, watch Catholic programs on EWTN and educate ourselves.

Teach the Truth with Love

Several of my Confirmation students came from homes where one or both parents were not attending Mass regularly. Rather than attacking the parents on this issue, I took some time to explain to them that their children should not be confirmed into a faith that their children were not already practicing. I reminded them of their role as first educators of their children. I inquired into their reasons for staying away and I invited them to come back to Mass.

In one case, the mother of a student (who was struggling with some huge losses in her life), stated that church made her cry; That made it too hard for her to attend. Through the grace of God, she was open to learning that those tears were God's healing power. She now attends Mass with her daughter.

Be Not Afraid

Sometimes we are attacked for teaching truth. It can be difficult to confront a behavior that is incorrect. Again, love can move mountains. I once had a friend who was about to do something against church teachings. I was embarrassed to confront her, so I said nothing. When she later came to me, hurt and upset, she said, "Why didn't you tell me what I was doing was wrong?" I could see the pain in her eyes. I vowed never to reserve the truth from someone again, out of fear of rejection. If we love others, our primary goal is to help them get to heaven. We must not be afraid to teach them the truths that will help them get there.