Christians, Catholics in particular have been urged to be witnesses of the gospel, people of hope, rooted in Christ, strengthened by the Holy Spirit, as they live in a world marked by rapid change, uncertainty and restlessness. The charge was given by Very Rev. Fr. Julius Olaitan, Episcopal Vicar, Lagos Region, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, while speaking on the theme, “Rekindling the mission of catechesis in the heart of the Church, during the Jubilee Year of Hope Catechetical Conference, held recently at St. Leo Parish Hall, Ikeja, Lagos.
Fr. Olaitan said the mission of catechesis; the mission of the Church itself is the commission given by Jesus to his disciples to preach the gospel, bring people into the faith and interior life. According to him, catechists should be convinced that in spite of the challenges of everyday life, there is an anchor to hold on to, which is the cross of Christ. Fr. Olaitan listed, using new pathways such as YouTube, to present the gospel, building catechetical communities, among other ways in rekindling the mission of catechesis. He said parents must become the first catechist of their children to make it easier for them (children) to grow spiritually.
Speaking on the topic, “One body, many gifts, active collaboration of catechists and lay organisations,” Mr. Ugonna Ezeifedi, President, Lagos Archdiocesan Laity Council (LALC) highlighted how catechists and lay organisations with their diverse gifts and roles should work together to edify the community, and build up the faith. According to him, the concept of the Church as one body, many gifts (1 Corinthians: 12) describes the diversity of spiritual gifts, and provides the theological basis for collaboration, as the Holy Spirit is the single source of all the gifts.
Mr. Francis Palmer, Chairman Organising Committee, while representing Mrs. Ann Palmer, harped on the role of the family as the first school of faith, highlighting the importance of parents and the home in the spiritual growth of the children. He urged the people to apply the training given to Priests and Religious in their family space, so as to form the family, anchored on intellectual, human and spiritual development. On Pope Francis’ analogy of the family as a factory of hope, he said the family should be a space where children in their fragile, unformed and helpless form are taken and transformed into men and women of faith, love and character.
He urged parents to inculcate the habit of praying, eating meals together, sharing love and guidance on the table to renew the family, the Church and the world. In his remarks on the occasion, Rev. Fr. Gabriel Fatoye, the Assistant Coordinator, commended the catechists for their dedication in standing at the front lines of the faith, teaching the doctrines of the Church and setting hearts on fire with a genuine encounter with Jesus Christ. Fr. Fatoye noted that catechists guide children, youths and adults to a deeper relationship with God, helping them to understand their place in the Church and their call to discipleship.
