October 2024: Book Reviews
AN ECHO OF EASTER
The Ministry of Catechesis for the 21st Century
Patricia Carroll with a foreword by Archbishop Dermot Farrell
Veritas Publications, 2024
978 1 80097 093 9 • pp 148
€14.99/£12.75
In his Foreword to An Echo of Easter Archbishop Dermot Farrell writes; The essential mission of the Church is ‘go and make disciples of all nations’ (Mt 28:19): ‘Being a disciple means being constantly ready to bring the love of Jesus to others, and this can happen unexpectedly and in any place: on the street, in a city square, during work, on a journey.’ (Evangelium Gaudium 5). He goes on to remind readers that the challenges facing mission today are immense as our more open society, with its increased technological functioning, and globalised and diverse culture makes it more difficult for people to perceive life’s spiritual dimensions, which like the treasure hidden in the field, are almost always beneath the surface. Beyond our daily distractions the things of the Spirit, the signs of God’s very presence around us and within us, are beyond casual observation; they require sustained discernment.
Inspired by her reading of the Directory for Catechesis (2020)over a two-year period the author of An Echo of Easter, Patricia Carroll is a pastoral theologian who grounds all her work in parish practice. She holds a licence in catechetical sciences concentrating on the priority of adult faith formation, a masters in Christian spirituality based on Rahner’s Everyday Mysticism, and a masters in Canon Law on pastoral care of parishes in light of the shortage of priests. In this book she integrates these three disciplines in an accessible way. Her previous publication, Becoming a Pastoral Parish Council, was published by Messenger Publications in 2022.
Written as an introduction to the ministry of catechist in a reader friendly style, it is directly informed by the new Directory.
Each of its ten chapters is centred around a theme which the author outlines at the outset. The first chapter introduces the concept of accompaniment – it is both a skill and an art that every catechist needs to grow in as they develop their ministry. Chapter two focuses on the centrality of relationship with Jesus. Without this foundational experience, catechesis will have little or no effect. The third chapter unpacks why the adult journey of faith should set the normative pattern for all we do in catechesis. Chapter four explores why catechesis is not just a matter of imparting knowledge but must be integrated into a whole way of living, rooted in the life of the Christian community. The fifth chapter looks at the basic tools for catechesis, whilst chapter six begins to explore sacramental moments and modes of accompaniment appropriate for today’s world. In chapter seven how catechesis needs to take account of the ages and stages of participants and discerning appropriate methods and approaches for all is explored. Chapter eight connects to why the word of God is foundational in all catechesis, and the ninth chapter explains how evangelisation is always part of catechesis. Finally, chapter ten explores the vocation of catechist and how this role can be supported. At the end of each chapter there are questions to guide reflection on what has been read. There are questions for those who are reading for their own personal enrichment as well as for those who are reading the book as part of a group. The questions help to connect more intentionally with the themes of each chapter and for readers to immerse themselves in a journey of discovery as they read.
The author reminds us that there is always a danger with Church documents that we just open them up and begin to read them like an instruction manual, but this publication invites readers to delve more deeply into a reflective form of reading which may be both challenging and transformative. The aim of her present publication is to help all those who are investigating what it means to develop catechesis in our parishes today and provides a solid guide for parish catechists as their ministry evolves.
Towards the end of the book the author reminds reflects that just as there are a variety of ways a person can hear a call to serve as a priest or religious, there are also a variety of ways that a person can hear a call to become a catechist. She gives as one example; a young mum might take part in the preparation programme for holy communion in her parish for the first time and realise that it is lifegiving to simply share her faith and rediscover her faith with her children. This can be the starting point of a journey that leads her to discover that she is energised by the encounter with others and that this encounter helps her own faith to grow. On the other hand
Many people have become catechists because they have been asked to step in and help and then found that they want to do more of this kind of service. There are many people who find themselves being slowly led into the role of catechist over a period of years, and it is only when they look back that they realise it was all the call of God. Essentially, she concludes, the call to become a catechist is about echoing the Easter message from one generation to the next.
– Reviewer: Fr Paul Clayton-Lea
Armagh Diocese
Intercom, July/ August 2024
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