Always. Youth Catechesis At Night

Always : Nov. 23-29, 2008 Issue of DCHerald) Youth Catechesis-at-Night by Erwin Joey E. Cabilan

One day, Mrs. Nancy B. Braga, a fellow professional catechists and currently the Coordinator of Religious Education Program of Holy Cross of Davao College, requested me to teach Re. Ed. 1 (6:30p.m.-8:00p.m.) and Re. Ed. 4 (8:00p.m.-9:30p.m.). These subjects are scheduled in the evening of Tuesday and Thursdays. At first, I was hesitant to accept her invitation because of the possible consequences namely giving up my favorite telenovelas, changing my schedule of meeting my friends every Tuesday, going home late in the evening, working overtime and double-time on the current project for JCC (catechetical lesson plans for high school) and modifying my schedule in writing and submitting my article for my weekly column for the Davao Catholic Herald. But later, I decided to accept her offer because Ate Nancy was able to convince me base on a certain point: majority of the students in these subjects are working students. These students only have this particular time for this semester to take Re. Ed. If I won’t handle these courses, though it entails to sacrifice a lot of things, who would take the challenge of being with these people who are like “a sheep without a shepherd”? Youth Catechesis in a school context bears unique features. When I engage in a discussion with fellow professional catechists, we observe that many students take Re. Ed. subjects because it is mandated by the Catholic school. Unlike the people in the parish who most of them participate in faith-formation activities not out of obligation but because of their willingness to allow their faith-life to mature, students’ motivation needs to be properly corrected by purifying and even re-appropriating their intentions why they opted to study in a Catholic milieu. Aware of this reality, catechists in the Catholic schools, administrators, teachers from other disciplines and the whole rest of the academic community are challenged to prove not only their professional competence but above all our ability to fulfill our ministry as such. If Catholic schools/colleges/universities bear the identity as “Catholic”, it is because, as an educative community, it aspires to form the whole person after the mind and heart of Jesus Christ. Religious Education is a way for the Church to echo Jesus Christ and His teachings. Through this, learners in the faith are given the opportunity to integrate the values of the Gospel in their day to day life. If Religious Education is treated as “too academic”, this can impoverish the very nature of this particular form of Catechetical ministry. Only Religious Education as a pastoral ministry that can be faithful to God, to the Church and to the human person. Teaching two Re. Ed. subjects from 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. is an “extra challenge”. As a Youth Catechesis-at-night, I have to be properly grounded on some salient points to effect learning together with my students. I think these insights are also helpful for catechists in the parish who provide catechetical services even in the evening to the parish, the BECs and other faith communities. Let me share the following: 1. Having a good sense of humor makes the learners laugh. Laughter is the best medicine not only for aging but even for those who feel sleepy. We can understand why they feel weary and tired. But it is our responsibility to animate them to let them feel that they are very important in the teaching-learning process. 2. Use strategies, approaches and techniques in teaching that can make them participate and cooperate in all the activities. 3. Cite examples base on their real life situations. Through this, they can feel that sense of belongingness with the whole class, with the subject matter and with the teacher-catechist. 4. Use words that they are “at home” with. Highfaluting terms make them feel strange vis-à-vis the subject matter and the teacher-catechist. Language should serve as a way of helping them understand and appreciate the ever unfolding mysteries of our Faith and Life. 5. Let them become aware that their presence is of great value. Come to class on time. Make dialogue not only as a technique in drawing their attention but as an attitude that both the teacher-catechist and the students reciprocate. Entertain their questions. Give answers not only from one’s head but from the heart. 6. Sustain their interest in learning. Encourage them to do their very best even if they are struggling to strike the balance between their academic life and their life as a laborer.

7. Pray. Many are looking for a real secret in achieving success particularly in attaining the learning objective. Since Religious Education is a pastoral ministry, it essentially belongs to God. Our part is to be His faithful and creative collaborators in the truth. Prayer completes all our efforts. It can never change God but it can change us. I believe that the clarion call so that Catechesis, in all forms, can be ever life-giving and transformative is Creative Fidelity. Challenged by some circumstances that seem to limit our capacity as a teaching and as a learning faith community, we still have the Breath of God’s Spirit that animates us. These circumstances are not obstacles. Taking the words of Joshua, we pray, “O Sun, You stand still…” (Joshua 10:12). Even if the night calls us to rest, the Light of Faith shines all throughout to guide us, to sustain us, to uplift us, to liberate us, to save us. Being with the working students, the night is as bright as the day. Why? We have Jesus!