Catechesis

This week, the Knights of Columbus would like to focus on the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  Blessed John Paul II put forth an Apostolic Letter Laetamur Magnopere with the publishing of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  With this letter, Bl. John Paul II said, “Catechesis will find in this genuine, systematic presentation of the faith and of Catholic doctrine a totally reliable way to present, with renewed fervor, each and every part of the Christian message to the people of our time. This text will provide every catechist with sound help for communicating the one, perennial deposit of faith within the local Church, while seeking, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to link the wondrous unity of the Christian mystery with the varied needs and conditions of those to whom this message is addressed. All catechetical activity will be able to experience a new, widespread impetus among the People of God, if it can properly use and appreciate this post-conciliar Catechism.”

We have the Catechism not to tie us down to Catholic thought, but rather to free us to be able to worship and understand God in a truly liberating way.  Not since the 16^th century have we Catholics had a way to be able to study and know our own faith in such an open and clear way.  Bl. John Paul II opens the door for everyone from Cardinals to priests to the practical Catholic in the pew. 

As Knights we are called to be practical Catholics.  This means that we are to know and embrace our faith.  We are to follow the precepts of the Church.  We are to follow the 10 Commandments.  We are to practice the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.  Most simply put, we are to be Catholic.  We do this by knowing and embracing our faith to the fullest.  Being Catholic is an all or nothing proposition, we cannot pick and choose what we want to believe and still call ourselves Catholic.  This is why the Catechism of the Catholic Church is so important.  It is a summary of what we believe and a concise way to explain how we believe.  We don’t have to have perfect knowledge of our faith, but we do have to accept it, perfectly.  We can come to know the answer as we mature in our faith.  Just as we learn as we go through school, we also learn as we assist at Holy Mass and participating in the life of the Church.  This is what it means to be a practical Catholic. 

As we look around the Church and we see the Knights in the pew next to us, we should understand that the Knights of Columbus have accepted the responsibility to witness publicly to the truths of the Catholic Church, through practical Catholicism. 

Please look to our website, www.humboldtkofc.org  May God keep you close.

Andy Milam
1 Year Trustee
Council 8592