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Newton Stewart, Wigtown and Whithorn RC Churches |
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Catholic Churches in the Machars of Galloway |
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Ministry of Teaching |
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When a priest is ordained for the service of Christ and the Church, he is told that his ministry will be carried out in three main ways. The first of these is to teach his people; the second is to sanctify them; the third is to lead or “govern” or “pasture” them. Back in March, I presented to our Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) a document in which I outlined, in summary form, how the Church formulates what is involved in these three areas of the priestly ministry. I did this because: (a) I wanted to let them know what the Church required of me (“what I must do”); and (b) to offer some suggestions on how the laity of the parish could help me in this mission. Christ, through the Church calls the laity to take its part in the spreading of the Gospel in line with their vocation of baptism and confirmation. They do so in concert with the Bishops, priests and deacons, so that the Word of God may reach beyond the walls of the church into life in family and society.
After some discussion and reflection, the PPC, this past 4th September, proposed that a copy of the section of the paper mentioned above, in which the teaching ministry of the priest is addressed, be circulated among all parishioners. (The other two sections will constitute material for consultation in the future). The aim of this is to consult and canvass opinion on what initiative or initiatives could be taken in the area of the teaching of the faith in our parishes. These would supplement the essential ministry of the priest in his own preaching and teaching.
Below, you will therefore find the first section of the original paper which I presented to the PPC in March. I ask you to read it carefully at home, discuss it with other parishioners and maybe write down your observations or your own proposals. I hasten to add that, as regards the items under “where I see room and need for the help of parishioners” (see below), I am only offering ideas: they are not written in stone! You may indeed have much better ones, and I will gladly consider them together with the PPC. If you decide to submit something to the PPC, I would ask you to sign it and hand it either to myself or to any member of the PPC, whose names appear at the end of this document. All of these will then be examined at our next PPC meeting on December 4th. Please submit any proposal no later than St. Andrew’s Day, November 30th, 2007.
My hope is that we can make discern together, through reflection, discussion and prayer, so as to discover more and more what the Lord desires for us, of us and through us in this place and in our times. Maybe we can do only a little – but as the Chinese proverb puts it, “the longest journey begins with the smallest step.”
* * * 1. Ministry of Teaching (I will quote first, in italics, what the Church’s law requires of the priest, and then add my comments) Canon 528 §1. A pastor is obliged to make provision so that the word of God is proclaimed in its entirety to those living in the parish; for this reason, he is to take care that the lay members of the Christian faithful are instructed in the truths of the faith, especially by giving a homily on Sundays and holy days of obligation and by offering catechetical instruction. He is to foster works through which the spirit of the gospel is promoted, even in what pertains to social justice. He is to have particular care for the Catholic education of children and youth. He is to make every effort, even with the collaboration of the Christian faithful, so that the message of the gospel comes also to those who have ceased the practice of their religion or do not profess the true faith. What I propose to do personally: I will try to dedicate my Sunday sermons over the years to a systematic presentation of the entirety of the Church’s teaching. I will try to do it in simple, straightforward language. I have begun planning this and, when I have the plan finished, I will address it more fully in one of my Sunday Letters. As regards catechetical instruction, I will offer talks probably twice monthly, basing them either on the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” or on special themes which come up or need addressing. I will visit the Primary School in N.S. as frequently as I can and work with the teachers as to how best I can help them in their excellent work. I will investigate what possibilities there are as to some form of presence to other secondary schools in the parishes, and will do what I can to take advantage of any opening to make contact with our Catholic teenagers there. Once I have settled down, I hope to begin some form of visitation of homes, including those of the lapsed, should they allow me access. Where I see room and need for the help of parishioners: I believe “small groups” have been in existence in the parish. This could be a useful structure to revive for deepening the knowledge of the faith among adults. We would need a programme with systematic presentation and study of the faith. Might this be one area where a sub-committee could be formed to investigate this or other possibilities? I am particularly concerned about the formation of teenagers and young adults in the faith. I think we need leaders from the parish, who have some knowledge/expertise in dealing with these groups and know-how as regards interesting them in, and keeping them interested in, a sustained program of education in faith and morals. This initiative may inter-link with other initiatives that could be taken for the youth, especially activities that help respond to the demands of their time of life. I also feel that we should call parents, if they do not already do so, to respond to their baptismal responsibilities of being “the first and best teachers of the faith” to their children. Can we find or invent a programme that would help parents spend quality faith-time with their children and teenagers at home? The Canon mentions social justice. What is the scope for taking social and/or social justice initiatives in our parishes? I mean initiatives “imbued with the Gospel”, and not just philanthropy. Might we set up a Justice and Peace Commission? Perhaps activity in this area might be limited to information – e.g. a systematic study of the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church? How about things like a soup-house? I suppose we do not want to double any other such practical initiatives taking place in our towns and areas, but perhaps we could help them? Regarding the lapsed, we could think of ways to reach out to them. Here is just an example: divide the parishes into areas; assign several willing practising Catholics from each area to knock on doors as if doing a Catholic census, perhaps handing to those who identify themselves as lapsed Catholics a letter from myself telling them that, as their new parish priest, I would like to meet them. I realize this is ambitious – and difficult. Is it possible? Is any other method possible? Other ideas: 1) Dedicate each month to a particular theme which will be the inspiration for our public and personal prayers, and for some discussion at home (?), for the month. For example, we could take the twelve articles of the Apostles’ Creed and dedicate one month each for a year to each of these. This will be a fundamental catechesis. Special talks could be organized on traditional monthly themes: e.g. on Our Lady in May and October; on the Sacred Heart in June, etc. Names of PPC Members: Anna Alexander, Margerie Clark, Diana Edwards, Margaret Flanagan, John Innes-Watt, Peter Marks, Tricia Morton, Liz Palmer and Bob Simpson.
Mgr. Peter Magee |
