PARMA, Ohio
— The start of the new pastoral year, Sept. 1, also means the start of Eastern Christian Formation programs for children in the parishes of the Eparchy of Parma.
The catechetical year is launched with Catechetical Sunday. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has set Catechetical Sunday for Sept. 16, when catechists are called forth in their parishes across the country to be commissioned for this service to the community of faith.
However, the Eastern Catholic Churches of America do not mandate a specific date for Catechetical Sunday. Rather parishes may celebrate it according to the start date of their catechetical program, said John Popp, director of the Office of Religious Education, as of June 29.
The Eastern Conference of Eparchial Directors of Religious Education has prepared materials to help parishes implement Catechetical Sunday, he said. They are available at parma.org/catecheticalsunday. The theme is “Witnesses for Christ.”
Popp said the Byzantine Catholic Bishops in the United States have mandated the use of the God With Us Catechetical Series for children.
Popp also announced a new adult faith formation program, called “I Believe,” set to begin with the Philip’s Fast in November.
“Religious education is extremely important for the life of the church,” said Popp. “More than just a class, religious instruction has as its goal the lifelong formation of the soul at all ages, not just childhood.”
For more information, contact John Popp: (216) 741-8773, ext. 2.
Caption:
The Eastern Catholic poster for Catechetical Sunday 2018 is available at parma.org.
As published in Horizons, Sept. 9, 2018. Sign up for the Horizons e-newsletter.