1st VSI enrichment day: ‘goal is getting our kids to heaven’

Dr. Sean Innerst and Dr. Arielle Harms of the Augustine Institute, Denver, were the opening speakers at a new series of ongoing enrichment certifications offered as an extension of the Veritatis Splendor Institute. The institute is part of the curriculum of the diocesan Office of Faith Formation. The series is open to everyone and encouraged for school employees, parish staff and volunteers.

The Catechetical Kick-Off Conference was held September 8 at the Terra Sancta Retreat Center, Rapid City. The enrichment workshops are scheduled to coincide with VSI and the deacon formation days. The next one, “Family, Become What You Are!” will be held Saturday, Oct. 14 and registration is due September 30. (See ad on page 23 for more details.)

We can’t love what we don’t know,” Innerst said regarding studying Church doctrine. Developing relational encounters with Jesus are important, but we live in an era of anti-intellectualism that favors relationships over learning according to Innerst.

He advised seeking the Kingdom of God, getting to know what the Church is teaching, and then sharing and passing it on. Innerst said non-believers do not want to be forced into following rules. “Christ doesn’t just give us information, He died for us. It is the deepest act of love and we can only understand it through love,” he said explaining the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It brings logos or order to His divine acts of love.

Giving credence to the importance of the Son’s life, he said, “Christ’s coming cuts time in half,” referring to BC — Before Christ and AD — Anno Domini or the Year of the Lord. “We want a sense God is in control in a loving guiding way.” He contrasted contemporary logic — you can only count on yourself — with Church teaching — God is at work in our world and in our lives.

Faith comes through hearing the word of God, said Innerst. He encouraged the attendees to study their catechisms until the copies are well worn and falling apart. Dr. Harms also encouraged using the CCC. She explained the ease of utilizing footnotes in the catechism to find Bible passages on the sacraments and other topics being taught.

She spoke from the point of view of a former church director of education and shared memories of successes and obstacles in parish life. From her experience in working in different size parishes she said the small ones have an advantage, “Small parishes already are a community,” she explained that large parishes have to create community.

Since parishioners sitting quietly in adoration would be bothered by a class of noisy 5th graders, she recommended churches setting aside time for family holy hours — teaching people what to do: songs, litanies, and guided meditation.

To explain the work of a catechist she read from a Vatican II document, “Deacons and catechists are legitimately active in the ministry of the Word.” The text also quoted St. Jerome’s teaching that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ. Harms advocated using weekly education classes to study the coming Sunday’s readings. She thought Lectio Divina was a good format students of all ages can relate to. “Guide students into the conversation with God,” she said.

Then she pointed out that parables and stories stick with us longer than single lines of text.

She summed up the work of catechists, “Our goal is Christ – getting our kids to heaven.”