They teach in the village Catholic schools. They serve the needs of the poor, often speaking out on issues of justice and for peace. Above all, they help form people in the faith, teaching them the greatness of God’s mercy and of His boundless love for each one of us.
Such are the roles of catechists in Rajshahi in northwestern Bangladesh.
Strong hands of the parish
“These catechists are the strong hands of the parish, of this local church,” says Fr. Louis Pereira, who directs the diocese’s Christian Training and Pastoral Service Center.
In this predominantly Muslim area, with Catholics less than one percent of the population, Father Pereira cites the need for adequate formation of lay men and women, along with the Religious Sisters, who serve among their own people.
“We provide Bible study classes and courses on developing prayer life,” he explains. “We also offer regular retreat experiences.”
Helping the helpers
Many of these catechists are materially poor and need assistance to sustain their own families. The Society for the Propagation of the Faith offers full- and part-time support for these teachers of the faith, and helps also with their initial and ongoing formation and with the retreats.
With a high illiteracy rate among the general population, catechists are most helpful to the people when it comes to the challenges and difficulties of everyday life.
“They are a great support for the tribal people,” Father Pereira explains. “They come forward on matters of social justice, speaking up on their behalf.”
Faith-centered work
Above all, their work is faith-centered.
“Each of our parishes includes many, often faraway villages,” he says. “Our priests can hardly get to all of them on a Sunday and so our faithful have the opportunity for Mass only two or three times a year.
“The catechists conduct Sunday services when the priests can’t be at the parish,” he continues. “They also teach catechism to those wishing to join the Church. In a nutshell, catechists are hope and reliance for the community,” Father Pereira says.
World Mission Sunday
The work of these catechists in Bangladesh are among many throughout the world who are supported by Catholics through a collection taken on World Mission Sunday, celebrated on Sunday, Oct. 18, this year. Organized by the Propagation of the Faith, it is a day set aside for Catholics worldwide to recommit themselves to the Church’s missionary activity through prayer and sacrifice.
Mission dioceses — about 1,100 at this time — receive regular annual assistance from the funds collected. Mission dioceses also submit requests to the Vatican Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples for assistance for catechetical programs, seminaries, work of Religious communities, for communication and transportation needs, and for the building of chapels, churches, orphanages, and schools.
Please give generously to the World Mission Sunday collection in your parish this weekend. Also please join your prayers with people throughout the world in praying for the catechists, priests, and Religious who bring hope to people in mission areas.
Msgr. Delbert Schmelzer is director of the Propagation of the Faith for the Diocese of Madison. Contributions to the Propagation of the Faith may be made in parishes or sent to: P.O. Box 44983, Madison, WI 53744-4983.