Catholic Services Appeal Video 2017

Each year, people throughout the Archdiocese of Louisville give generously to the Catholic Services Appeal so that, together, we may bring Christ to others. The Catholic Services Appeal helps fund more than 100 ministries and services throughout the Archdiocese, and your gift supports the needy, vocations, prayer and worship, lifelong formation and education opportunities, work with teens and young adults, and the ministry of our parishes and schools.

This year, as we celebrate 50 years of the Catholic Services Appeal, we reflect on the 50 years of ministry that have been made possible, thanks to the generosity of donors like you. Watch the video below to hear real life stories of people whose lives have been impacted by your generous giving to the Catholic Services Appeal:

To learn more about the Catholic Services Appeal click here.

It's Finally Time to Swim . . .  

By Deacon Stephen Bowling, Director of Family Ministries for the Archdiocese of Louisville 

 

In 1935 the Vatican released On the Better Care and Promotion of Catechetical Education, a document that encouraged every nation to honor the importance of catechetical ministry within the Church's mission and to recognize those who serve as catechists in the Catholic community.  As a result, Catechetical Sunday was born.  This year it will be celebrated on Sunday, September 17, and the theme is "Living as Missionary Disciples." But, what is Catechetical Sunday?  Why is it even important?  What does "catechetical" mean?  

The word "catechetical" comes from the Greek word "catechesis" which means "to echo."  Some prefer the translation "resound."  Catechesis, then, is the effort "to echo" the Church's teachings from one generation to the next.  A catechist is one who has the challenge of finding ways "to echo" our Catholic faith to the current generation, discovering the methods and resources that best reach the learners of today while remaining faithful to the teachings of the Church.  Catechetical Sunday is a day for the Church to recognize, even commission, those members of the community who have been called to embrace this special ministry of the Church. To be a catechist today, one must not only know and share what the Church teaches but one must also be willing to share the story of his or her own faith journey, to share a personal experience of Jesus within the Catholic tradition.   This can be difficult if not downright intimidating for some catechists to do, but the call for the "New Evangelization" by Saint John Paul II and the call to "Missionary Discipleship" by Pope Francis has moved catechesis into the realm of inviting learners to see themselves as disciples called to be evangelizers of the faith.

So who are the catechists?  The catechetical ministry is passed from the pope, to the bishops to the clergy, the religious, and the laity.  Within the parish a catechist could be Catholic school teachers, teachers for the parish religious education program, VBS teachers, youth ministry leaders, RCIA team members, parents who are the first teachers of the faith to their children, etc.  Of course, the pastor is considered the primary catechist for the parish, and the parish deacon may also have a teaching role depending on his ministerial focus.  All must be in conformity with the teaching authority of the Church called the Magisterium, which we believe is instituted by Jesus and guided by the Holy Spirit.  The role of the Magisterium is to safeguard and explain the truths of the Catholic faith.

Catechetical Sunday is a "big deal" because it is a reminder to all of us that we are called to participate in some way in the teaching ministry of the Church.  We may not be called to be an official catechist like those who serve in our parishes and schools, but we are called to share what we know, especially when it comes to our relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church.