Lamezia Terme – A meeting awaited and carefully prepared by the Diocesan Catechistic Office, the one held in the Auditorium of the San Benedetto Interparish Complex. An opportunity to meet and listen to the encouraging words of the bishop together. The numbers were important: over three hundred participating catechists. “The meeting – he says Katia Muraca of the Diocesan Catechetical Office team – he was enlivened by singing, thanks to Sabrina Pugliano, catechist and expert musician; it began with the right space reserved for prayer and continued in a more informal, but no less intense atmosphere, with the presentation of the Catechetical Office and its team by the director, Don Antonio Brando. Taking inspiration from the words of Pope Francis, Don Antonio defined the catechist as an “apologist” of Hope, that is, the one who makes a Person alive – Jesus, our Hope – to be a witness to the faith and guardian of the memory of God”.
He then left the floor to Emanuela Cristiano, representative of the disabled sector within the Office, who “updated the catechists on the new tools for catechesis for people with disabilities, and who soon gave way to a truly touching moment: the testimony of inclusiveness of Rossella and Katia, catechists of the Parish of Santa Maria Maggiore, who have as catechist help Alberta, a young girl with disabilities, who, despite having completed her journey of Christian initiation with Confirmation, remained in the parish, to service of catechesis, enriching the catechism group in which he operates with his lively presence. The meeting continued with the masterly lectio divina held by Bishop Parisi on a famous passage from the Gospel of Matthew (Mt 5, 13-16), inserted in the context of the Beatitudes of the Christian, giving a truly new and comforting reading for the mission of catechist, who is a witness, yes, but also a bit of a teacher for those he meets in catechesis; he must in fact “shine with light before men, to give glory to the Father who is in heaven”. This was then followed by a rich moment of discussion between the audience present and the bishop, who responded very precisely, during which there was the opportunity to talk again about the Diocesan Biblical School and the Diocesan School for ministries as further opportunities training and meeting for catechists; as well as the possibility of mentioning the new “social” channels, presented by Veronica Vaccaro, capable of providing information and materials useful for catechesis”.
And, finally, he concludes: “a simple but significant dynamic of all feeling linked, despite their mutual differences, in a single rope, which was created with enthusiasm by the catechists present and placed at the foot of an icon of Jesus, on stage. The recitation of the catechist’s prayer and the Bishop’s blessing closed an afternoon truly full of ideas, affection and renewed desire to continue the mission among the “witnesses” of the one “Master”, coming from the different areas of our Diocese”.
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