General Information
MISSION STATEMENT
St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church embraces Fruitful Lifelong Faith Formation. By experiencing the living Word of God, through liturgical prayer and worship, the celebration of the Sacraments and apostolic service, our parish family lives out the Church's mission of evangelization.
With an adult-centered focus, including moral formation and continued growth in the knowledge of our faith and by providing age-appropriate opportunities for conversion and communion with Jesus Christ, families are empowered to witness and pass along the faith to our future generations.
The Church of Santa María de los Lagos is dedicated to the fruitful formation of lifelong faith, experiencing the Word of God. Through liturgical prayer, adoration, the celebration of the Sacraments, and apostolic service, our parish family lives out the Church's mission of evangelization.
With an adult-centered approach, including moral formation and continued growth in the knowledge of our faith, and providing age-appropriate opportunities for conversion and communion with Jesus Christ, families can bear witness and pass on their faith to future generations.
Parents are the first and foremost catechists of their children. They catechize informally but powerfully by example and instruction. They communicate values and attitudes by showing love for Christ and His Church and for each other, by reverently receiving the Eucharist and living his spirit, and by fostering justice and love in all their relationships. Their active involvement in the parish, their readiness to seek opportunities to serve others, and their practice of frequent and spontaneous prayer all make meaningful their professions of belief. Parents nurture faith in their children by showing them the richness and beauty of lived faith.
Parents are their children's first and most important catechists. They catechize informally but powerfully through example and instruction. They communicate values and attitudes, teaching them love for Christ and His Church and for others, receiving the Eucharist reverently, living its spirit, and fostering justice and love in all their relationships. By actively participating in the parish, seeking opportunities to serve others, and frequently and spontaneously practicing prayer, they make their profession of faith credible. Parents nurture faith in their children by showing them the richness and beauty of a faith well lived.
From “Sharing the Light of Faith,”
The National Catechetical Directory of the United States, 1978
Nature and Purpose of Catechesis (General Directory of Catechesis, no. 82): Nature and Purpose of Catechesis
"Catechesis is that particular form of the ministry of the Word which matures initial conversion to make it into a living, explicit and fruitful confession of faith."
"Catechesis is that particular form of the ministry of the Word, which matures the initial conversion, to turn it into an explicit, living and fruitful confession of faith."
Tasks of Catechesis (from the National Directory of Catechesis, no 19 & 20):
"Catechesis aims to bring about in the believer an ever more mature faith in Jesus Christ, a deeper knowledge and love of His person and message, and a firm commitment to follow him...The object of Catechesis is communion with Jesus Christ. Catechesis leads people to enter into the mystery of Christ, to encounter Him, and to discover themselves and the meaning for their lives in him. 'At the heart of Catechesis we find, in essence, a Person, the Person of Jesus of Nazareth, the only Son from the Father.. full of grace and truth, who suffered and died for us and who now after rising, is living with us forever."
"Catechesis produces in the believer a much more mature faith in Jesus Christ, deepens their knowledge and love of His person and message, and brings a firm commitment to follow Him... The object of catechesis is communion with Jesus Christ; it leads the individual to enter into the mystery of Christ, to encounter Him, and to discover themselves and the meaning of their life in Him. 'At the heart of catechesis we find, in essence, a Person, the Person of Jesus of Nazareth, the only Son of the Father... full of grace and truth, who suffered and died for us and who now, after rising again, is living with us forever.'"
Catechesis - Catechesis
- Promotes knowledge of the faith
- Promotes an understanding of the meaning of the Liturgy and the sacraments
- Promotes moral formation in Jesus Christ - Promotes moral formation in Jesus Christ
- Teaches the Christian how to pray with Christ.
- Prepares the Christian to live in community and to participate in the life and mission of the Church
- Promotes a missionary spirit that prepares the faithful to be present as Christians in society.
