In celebrating Mass at the Archdiocese of Washington’s Catechetical Day Nov. 7, Cardinal Donald Wuerl told more than 800 teachers of the Catholic faith to “encounter everyone you can” and “tell them how beautiful is life in Jesus.”
Cardinal Wuerl addressed the catechists, teachers, pastors, religious educators, seminarians and others who gathered at Elizabeth Seton High School in Bladensburg for the biennial gathering.
“This is the primary role of the catechist — to tell the story of Jesus with such conviction and with such witness that others want to follow Him,” Cardinal Wuerl said in his homily. “Faith begins with this witness.”
Sponsored by the archdiocesan Secretariat for Education, the theme for Catechetical Day was “Called to Care for Life: Safeguarding the Dignity of Every Human Life.” The event included more than 60 workshops in both English and Spanish that focused on the dignity of the human person.
Cardinal Wuerl was the celebrant of the midday Mass for catechists. Auxiliary Bishop Mario Dorsonville, one of the workshop presenters, was also at the Mass.
Cardinal Wuerl called it “truly a joy to come together to renew our commitment to catechetical ministry.”
Cardinal Wuerl pointed to what he “grace-filled moments” that came about because of Pope Francis’s Sept. 22-24 visit to the Archdiocese of Washington.
He reminded the catechists that at the historic canonization Mass of St. Junípero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis said “the joy of the Gospel is something to be experienced, something to be known and lived only through giving it away, through giving ourselves away.”
Recalling how Pope Francis insisted that the Fiat in which he was driven about in Washington have the windows rolled down and moved closer to the throngs who gathered to see him, Cardinal Wuerl said the pope’s style of reaching out to be near to the faithful “is a reminder of how we have to find ways in our teaching, in our expression of the faith, of how to get closer and closer with those to whom we wish to share the Gospel.”
“If we are going to reach people, invite people, they need to see in us a living witness to the faith – we need to lower the window, remove the barriers and share in a joyful spirit what you and I so treasure – our faith in Jesus Christ,” Cardinal Wuerl said.
Using Pope Francis’ words during his visit here, the cardinal encouraged the catechists to “find ways in our teaching, in our witnessing the faith and in our expression of it to be able to get closer and closer to those with whom we wish to share this beautiful gift.”
Msgr. John Enzler, president and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, delivered the Catechetical Day keynote address. He told catechists that “your teaching children, your teaching those who are trying to grow in the faith, is your gift to the Church.”
The priest described his job as president and CEO of Catholic Charities as “pastor of the poor.”
He urged the catechists to learn the seven corporal and spiritual works of mercy and to teach them to their students. He also reminded them that as they pass on the faith to others, they are to teach the seven principles of Catholic social teaching: the dignity of the human person; the call to community; the rights and responsibilities of every person; preferential treatment of the poor and vulnerable; the dignity of work and the rights of workers; work globally for justice (solidary); and respect for the earth and environment.
Catechists, he said, “are people who want to help others encounter Jesus. They want to know the Lord Jesus better and make Him alive in the hearts of others.”
Noting that Pope Francis has called for a Year of Mercy to begin on Dec. 8, Msgr. Enzler urged the catechists “not to get tired of asking for Mercy … Our Lord loves us with no conditions.”
