Technology is changing the world day by day. In all aspect of life facet, technology is determining the productivity and execution of things. various institutions are propelled to adjust their system of modus operandi to a more technology-compliant approach {Dankasa 2016}, as such the Church as an institution is not left out in the adoption and usage of this veritable tool to disseminate the inestimable treasure of our rich heritage, the gospels and teachings of the Church; which Catechesis projects. Catechesis therefore, is an education of faith of children, young people and adults to impart the teaching of Christian doctrine (CCC, 5). Catechesis holds an important place in the life and mission of the Church. It is the proclamation of the Good News to baptized believers to deepen and sustain them in Christian faith. It is considered as an instruction in faith given to children or catechumens {Phawa 2015}. Catechesis is a ministry of the word that calls the community to a stronger faith. Catechesis is faith formation and it is the process of forming Christ in the individual and community.
Catechesis is an ecclesial ministry of formation in the Christian faith imparted to the baptized, generally in an organic and systematic way, with a view to initiate and lead them to maturity of faith and dullness of Christian life. Evangelii Nunciandi (EN,44). Again, Catechesi Tradendae 68, asserts that family catechesis occurs in all stages of life, it precedes, accompanies and enriches all forms of catechesis, it further enhances and deepens their daily interaction with God and one another. This fosters faith growth in the family. {cf. nn 17-18,} Furthermore, Pope Francis posited that family is not just a community of persons belonging to it, but rather it is the place where one learns to love, the natural centre of human life, made up of faces of people who love dialogue, make self-sacrifices for one another and defend life. As children grow, exchange of faith becomes mutual. For the achievement of this goal, the missionary mandate of the church must be met, which is to teach, transmit and communicate the gospel. Through Catechetical contents, the Church is able to transmit, educate, teach and disseminate the plan and wish of God for the betterment of peoples through relevant media channels.
As such, Catechesis must employ multiple communicative systems to catechize effectively. This however cannot be done in the vacuum. The family known as the domestic church, gives the enabling environment for this initial faith formation where the life of the church is reflected, her mission, witnessing, prayer, and the awakening of the sense of God is experienced etc, Parents therefore are saddled with the responsibility, together with the Christian community, as the primary educators of faith, transmitters of the gospel values through education of the moral conscience, formation of the Christian sense of human love, rooted in the love of God and Christian education. Additionally, children, adolescent and the grown-up, encounter the Gospel in the educational or apostolic groups, in the community life as well as mass-media, press, radio and the social media. Hence family catechesis endeavours to communicate God through verbal, non verbal communication and in the recent time, the social media which is hub of information dissemination and retrieval to the family members in different ways.
It is also the paramount duty of the parents to create a family atmosphere inspired by love and devotion to God and their fellowmen which will create an integrated, personal and social formation for their children. {Phawa 2015}Therefore, Education in faith by parents should begin from the children’s tenderest age. The family is a place from where the Gospel is transmitted and radiated. Children receive the Gospel from their parents, live it and at the same time they become the agents of communicating the Gospel to others. The family will do this through the mutual love of the spouses, by their generous fruitfulness, their solidarity and faithfulness, and by the loving way in which all the members of the family work together. Through verbal and non verbal clues the family educates and teaches the children about faith and also communicates to them the value and the importance of faith, transmitting to the children that faith, which is the foundation of our Christian life. Verbal cues: this includes the use of spoke words to disseminate information. {cf Eph 4:29-32 } enjoins us as Christian faithful to use our spoken words to build and not to destroy. As such parents, guardians and faith-formators should employ the use of affirmative and positive language to transmit the gospel values. Non verbal cues: is the transmission of messages, signs and symbols through the various non-verbal channels which includes, the uses body language, facial expressions, gestures, postures, paralanguages, proximity, kinesics appearance {decent and neat cloth culture}, to communicate God’s love, reverence, adoration and respect of sacred things and places of worship.
Gestures: Deliberate movements and signals are an important way to communicate meaning without words. Common gestures include waving, pointing, and using fingers to indicate numeric amounts, as catechists we educate the young minds and adults on the various relevant gestures the church approves during liturgical worship. For example genuflection, making the sign of the cross properly, kneeling, sitting, and standing as signs and symbols of reverence and adoration. Facial Expressions: Facial expressions are responsible for a huge proportion of nonverbal communication. Consider how much information can be conveyed with a smile or a frown. The look on a person’s face is often the first thing we see, even before we hear what they have to say. A joyful heart and happy face radiates the joy of serving the Lord. Paralinguistics: refers to vocal communication that is separate from actual language. Which are tone of voice, loudness, inflection, and Pitch. Consider the powerful effect that tone of voice can have on the meaning of a sentence. When said in a strong tone of voice, listeners might interpret approval and enthusiasm.
The same words said in a hesitant tone of voice might convey disapproval and a lack of interest. Your tone of voice gives emphasizes to the meaning you are conveying in spoken words. A cold tone of voice might suggest that you are actually not fine, but you don’t wish to discuss it. A bright, happy tone of voice will reveal that you are actually doing quite well. A somber, downcast tone would indicate that you are the opposite of fine and that perhaps your friend should inquire further, be cautious as faith formators in your paralanguage to achieve the objective of making a Christian out of a soul. Body Language and Posture: Posture and body language movement can also convey a great deal of information postures, arm-crossing, and leg-crossing, can indicate feelings and attitude research suggests that body language is far more subtle and less definitive than previously believed. Great observance of these will enhance effective catechesis. Proxemics: People often refer to their need for “personal space,” which is also an important type of nonverbal communication.
The amount of distance we need and the amount of space we perceive as belonging to us is influenced by a number of factors, including social norms, cultural expectations, situational factors, personality characteristics, and level of familiarity. The amount of personal space needed when having a casual conversation with another person usually varies between 18 inches to four feet. On the other hand, the personal distance needed when speaking to a crowd of people is around 10 to 12 feet. AS we employ this communication skill, it is essential to give cognizance to this means of disseminating catechetical content so as to avoid abuses. Appearance: Our clothing, hairstyles, and general appearance are also considered a means of nonverbal communication. It depicts people perception about what we stand for as teachers of faith, the popular adage that says cleanliness is next to godliness, becomes very relevant in our ministry of catechesis. Again our appearance can also alter physiological reactions, judgments, and interpretations. First impressions are important.
To be Continued NEXT WEEK
