ATTENTION AND SEARCHING FOR THE FAMILY’S COOPERATION IN CATECHESIS

Prof. Zbigniew MAREK, S.J.

1. The cooperating family within catechistic action – historical notes.

The first signs of the family’s cooperation in catechesis are found already in the times of the Second Vatican Council, but in particular since the approval in 1971 by the Polish Episcopal Conference of the catechesis programme for children and for the young. The family’s role in catechesis was raised by social-political circumstances, which dominated after the Second World War. It is well-known that the Marxist ideology and the known power, wished to usurp from families their priority role in the educational process. With this educational process, the State tried to weaken the national and religious identity that the Polish family greatly supported.

From the very beginning the Church intervened in defence of families in Poland, always supporting families in educating the young in a Christian manner. Visible marks of the Church’s cooperation with families in Poland were the “catechistic points” organised especially after 1960. Following the elimination of religion from state school programmes, the “catechistic points” acted as “centres”, in which, after places of worship, religious life developed, cared for by catechesis in a very precious way by the Church. In the beginning private homes were used (for example the rooms or similar places) which were needed for assembling groups of children, young people or adults. The setting up of new “catechistic points” and later their development needed the families to cooperate with the Church. It was the families who not only organised the “points” but also took care of their existence and there efficiency. This heroic behaviour by parents often clashed with the state Authorities and they consequently suffered persecutions or visible pressure in local society. Cooperation from families for catechesis continued in this manner until 1990. This year in particular is marked in our history as a joyous moment, because catechesis returned to be part of scholastic curricula. Today, the “catechistic points” still exist in specific places and locations and serve as “oasis” for the development of religious life for children, the young, and for adults.

2. Catechistic importance in problems concerning the family.

Current catechesis considers the family as the fundamental environment for Christian education. This starting point is one of main orientations for the new programme for catechesis in Poland, drafted and approved in 2001. This aspect is certainly not new in the catechistic field, although in practice existing since 1971, acknowledging the importance of the family in the Church’s mission. The development of the importance of the family will also have to be confirmed through catechesis. This type of catechesis emphasises the obligations to be fulfilled by the family in the redeeming mission Jesus Christ. It is pointed out in the various stages of catechesis, programmed for the various age groups.

The second characteristic point is provided by support provided to those learning catechism so they understand the importance of the family, its rights and duties assigned by Jesus Christ. These must be fulfilled in family daily life. Finally, initiatives are implemented in catechesis educating those studying regards to the manner in which the moral values of Christian life become part of their vocation.

3. Forms of catechistic cooperation with the family.

The social-political changes that began in Poland in 1989, have consequently brought about changes also in catechistic activities, hence also in the organisation of cooperation of catechesis with the family. Replacing the Marxist ideology, the persuasion of the “normality” of religious instruction appeared, resulting in a serious commitment for families in catechesis.

In this new situation experienced by the Church in former communist countries, there has been an attempt to mature new ideas to strengthen cooperation with families. This concept is also expressed in Poland’s approval of the new religious programme for schools in 2001. This includes various catechistic paths and dimensions for children and young people, relying in particular on the family, on schools and on parishes. It has also been once again stated that: “these environments should be considered as shared and accessible places for man’s encounters with God. In them the Good News of redemption is also announced. The need is also emphasised for reciprocal and aware cooperation among the aforementioned environments to achieve this objective, so that religion in schools does not become simply one of the subjects studied”.

The Church is always careful and very concerned about the role played by the family in religious instruction and in supporting families, fulfilling her mission through the schools and the parishes. A visible mark of the cooperation between catechesis and families is the “Programme for parish catechesis of the young in Middle and High Schools” in Poland (age between 16 and 19). The implementation of this programme will take place in the parishes. However, as its main objective, initiation catechesis for young couples is addressed at the preparation and celebration of the Sacrament of matrimony.

Other ways in which the family can cooperate with the Church in the field of catechesis consist in catechesis for adults, in which families also take part. This type of catechesis is linked to religious events in families, especially with the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, the Eucharist and Confirmation. In addition to the aforementioned forms concerning the close cooperation between catechesis and the family, one must emphasise the new methods experimented above all in academic environments. These are in particular based on theological reflections and on searching for didactic resources. All these initiatives are addressed at facilitating not only the formation of children and young people, but also adults, to help them rediscover in a clearer manner their own role in Jesus Christ’s redeeming mission.