Good Reminder

09-11-2016Weekly ReflectionFr. Brian Jazdzewski

Each month every parish in the Diocese of La Crosse receives the Chancery Bulletin. The resource originates from our diocesan offices and reminds us of upcoming events, ideas we might promote in our parishes, and guidelines and directives from various offices about how to administrate our parishes and our faith. In the August edition, there were some reminders about Confirmation, including a letter from Bishop Callahan. While we have come to the beginning of a new academic year, and in turn, a new season for Religious Education, I thought it good to remind ourselves about where our Religious Education is to be headed under the direction of Bishop Callahan. Interestingly enough, the letter was shared with us during the Year of Faith in 2013. Somehow or another, the seriousness of the letter slipped by me and I was reminded about the content as I re-read the letter this week.

While you spend some time reading Bishop Callahan's points, there at least two angles to consider. First is how important these points are to our program and our young people and what we might do to support their preparation. The second is how well your life synchronizes with these principles. In other words, we can look both outside ourselves regarding the program and our young people; we also must look inwardly to see how we live up to our Baptismal call and our Confirmation promises. Every one of us is in the process of ongoing formation and conversion.

Bishop Callahan references both Canon Law and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Here are some of the bullet points he highlights in the letter: "These canons (#885 & 889) make it clear that our young people need to be formed through a comprehensive curriculum, one that should include but not be limited to helping the student:

• Develop a more intimate union with Jesus Christ in daily prayer.
• Cultivate a relationship with the Holy Spirit as well as have a more lively familiarity with His actions, His gifts, His promptings in order to be capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities.
• Be committed to living a Sacramental Life, above all by participating in Sunday Mass each week and receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation frequently.
• Comprehend how to live life in the Holy Spirit.
• Affirm Church teachings organized under the heading: Theology of the Body.
• Study the norms regarding Marriage and the Christian Life, especially the issues that form a divide between young Catholics and their culture.
• Grasp the Church's moral teachings on bioethical issues, in particular understanding the great harm and misery caused by abortion and contraception.

Perhaps the most important point of Bishop Callahan's message is the first bullet point, namely an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Our experience as Catholics is so often founded on rules, regulations and directives, we often forget the person who is behind all of our teachings. Our constant reminder is that all of what the Church teaches is to help us get closer to Christ. All of the guidelines we follow and the prayers we learn are to help us deepen our commitment to Jesus. We know that at any moment we must "be prepared to assume the role of disciple and witness to Christ"(CCC 1319). Once we are strengthened in Him, we discover new courage to be His witnesses with our lives.

On a local level, I invite your prayers in a special way for our families, our catechists and our young people involved in our Religious Education program and Catholic Schools. Together we work against the distractions of culture which can diminish the value of living a life of faith. Our prayers and our presence in and around our churches and activities continue to give witness that Catholicism has a place in our culture and in our local area. Continue to foster your relationship with Jesus who continues to be "the Way, the Truth and the Life!"