vendredi 22 novembre 2013
mardi 25 juin 2013
A PROPAGANDA AGAINST FATALISM
I DON'T BELIEVE IN DESTINY.
Only The Fatalists do. Fatalism is a philosophical doctrine emphasizing the subjugation of all actions, events, decisions and results to fate.
DESTINY DOES NOT EXIST!
God being a just God, has no favourites at all.
We all must always reap whatever we sow.
God does not "destine" SAM to be the President of The United States and "pre-destines" JACK to be his Butler. NO!
SAM simply became the President because he Planned to become the President early enough and consequently worked very hard towards making his dream(plan) come true.
To believe in Destiny, is to also assume that JACK was also "fated" to be SAM's Butler by circumstances out of his control. NO!
JACK simply became SAM's Butler either because he did not plan and work to become a President, or that being a Butler first is part of his grand plan to eventually become a President in the near or distant future. It could also be a case that JACK simply planned from the beginning to become a Butler and worked so hard to become one of the best Butler's in the world and was appropriately rewarded as The Butler of the President.
It is a known fact that the minimum qualification in most countries all over the world to become a President is a Bachelors Degree. Thus, a man without a Bachelors Degree who talks about becoming a President is just fantasising and day-dreaming.
A man with a Bachelors Degree who perhaps studied "Chemical Engineering" who does not also invest his spare time to read and learn about other subjects, topics and knowledge areas like history, leadership, politics, literature, research, communication, psychology, philosophy, military organization, revolution, communism, capitalism, spirituality, among many others is surely destined to fail.
A man who also hopes to become a President will also take his time to learn and perhaps master life skills like ICT skills, Mathematics, Expression and Communication skills(Including the learning and acquisition of as many foreign languages as possible), Mass Coordination and Motivation skills, Swimming, Driving, Riding a motorcycle, Farming, General Physical Fitness(Sports and Games), Archery and Marksmanship, Diplomacy and Strategy.
In addition to the above, a man who "takes his destiny in his own hands" and totally takes control of his life while planning to be a President must also know that in a democracy only humans vote. Hence, he must have excellent human relations skills. He must be likeable, lovable, and easy to approach. People should not find it difficult to trust him and confide in him. He must be ever willing to help others. He must be willing to sacrifice and go the extra mile. He must give his service without often seeking to be rewarded nor compensated. He must always VOLUNTEER TO SERVE his Neighbours, his Community, his Country, his Church and his God. He must always work hard to build goodwill(VOX POPULI VOX DEI) and a good name as early as possible to eventually help him achieve his plans.
In addition, after having fulfilled the above with dogged determination cum dedication, he must be flexible and always willing to serve in any adhoc/standing committee which he is nominated to serve in. He must accept almost all political cum strategic offices/posts he is given that logically keeps him in the path of actualising his grand plans. HE must always strive to take Charge and absolute Control of his life and his affairs in a disciplined manner without ever losing focus of his great goals, aims and objectives.
In sum, he must live a unique life. A man who lives his life like others will evidently have the results others have!
DESTINY DOES NOT EXIST!!
The belief in Destiny accepts that some direct unseen force pre-sets every result of human actions. It accepts that every mortal event is "fated". It presumes that human beings can never have CONTROL over their lives, over their today, over there future. C'est faux!
On the contrary, Destiny is just a logical progression. Strategic and Effective Planning usually makes this logical progression based on HARD WORK produce positive fruits.
Hence, humans as intelligent beings have CONTROL over their lives, over their today and over their tomorrow. It is this Control that makes human beings Powerful.
We also must not forget that Power is nothing without Control.
Some desperate fatalists will argue that if all Christians believe in the prophesy of Isaiah about the birth of Christ, then all christians are similarly fatalists and all believe in Destiny. This is totally false.
The Catholic doctrine about the Trinity teaches that there are Three persons in One God. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God gladly created Man in the Garden of Eden. Man fell from grace through sin. God in his mercy decided to redeem Man and grant him eternal salvation. God was in Control. God had a Plan. God planned to come in person to save Man. Jesus is God. God the Son came to this sinful world to save us. To save humanity from eternal damnation. God chose Mary has his vessel(Blessed among women). Mary full of Grace was selected cum chosen as the Mother of God(MATER DEI). She was NOT DESTINED to be The Mother of God as the fatalists wrongly postulate. There is a big difference between DESTINY and SELECTION.
God, the Lord and Maker of the Universe, never leaves anything to chance. He had a Grand Plan from the beginning. God is always in Control.
A man in control never leaves anything to chance. There is no place for "LUCK" in his dictionary or vocabulary. He believes not in "FATE".
A man in Control believes in GOD and not in the "gods".
It is true that God is ultimately in Control of our mortal lives but the fact remains that he has given us the Decannon to guide us so that we live good christian lives. God exercises control over our mortal lives in a "LAISSEZ-FAIRE" manner. He does not force us to do anything and does not preferentially grant favours to SAM in the detriment of JACK.
God has given humanity the actual control over our mortal lives. There is no Destiny.
Take Control Today! Take Charge!! Soyez en Contrôle!!!
MONSIEUR UDDIN JOSEPH OLUWASEGUN(JODDIN)
uddinjoseph.blogspot.com
twitter.com/uddinjoseph ( @uddinjoseph )
Only The Fatalists do. Fatalism is a philosophical doctrine emphasizing the subjugation of all actions, events, decisions and results to fate.
DESTINY DOES NOT EXIST!
God being a just God, has no favourites at all.
We all must always reap whatever we sow.
God does not "destine" SAM to be the President of The United States and "pre-destines" JACK to be his Butler. NO!
SAM simply became the President because he Planned to become the President early enough and consequently worked very hard towards making his dream(plan) come true.
To believe in Destiny, is to also assume that JACK was also "fated" to be SAM's Butler by circumstances out of his control. NO!
JACK simply became SAM's Butler either because he did not plan and work to become a President, or that being a Butler first is part of his grand plan to eventually become a President in the near or distant future. It could also be a case that JACK simply planned from the beginning to become a Butler and worked so hard to become one of the best Butler's in the world and was appropriately rewarded as The Butler of the President.
It is a known fact that the minimum qualification in most countries all over the world to become a President is a Bachelors Degree. Thus, a man without a Bachelors Degree who talks about becoming a President is just fantasising and day-dreaming.
A man with a Bachelors Degree who perhaps studied "Chemical Engineering" who does not also invest his spare time to read and learn about other subjects, topics and knowledge areas like history, leadership, politics, literature, research, communication, psychology, philosophy, military organization, revolution, communism, capitalism, spirituality, among many others is surely destined to fail.
A man who also hopes to become a President will also take his time to learn and perhaps master life skills like ICT skills, Mathematics, Expression and Communication skills(Including the learning and acquisition of as many foreign languages as possible), Mass Coordination and Motivation skills, Swimming, Driving, Riding a motorcycle, Farming, General Physical Fitness(Sports and Games), Archery and Marksmanship, Diplomacy and Strategy.
In addition to the above, a man who "takes his destiny in his own hands" and totally takes control of his life while planning to be a President must also know that in a democracy only humans vote. Hence, he must have excellent human relations skills. He must be likeable, lovable, and easy to approach. People should not find it difficult to trust him and confide in him. He must be ever willing to help others. He must be willing to sacrifice and go the extra mile. He must give his service without often seeking to be rewarded nor compensated. He must always VOLUNTEER TO SERVE his Neighbours, his Community, his Country, his Church and his God. He must always work hard to build goodwill(VOX POPULI VOX DEI) and a good name as early as possible to eventually help him achieve his plans.
In addition, after having fulfilled the above with dogged determination cum dedication, he must be flexible and always willing to serve in any adhoc/standing committee which he is nominated to serve in. He must accept almost all political cum strategic offices/posts he is given that logically keeps him in the path of actualising his grand plans. HE must always strive to take Charge and absolute Control of his life and his affairs in a disciplined manner without ever losing focus of his great goals, aims and objectives.
In sum, he must live a unique life. A man who lives his life like others will evidently have the results others have!
DESTINY DOES NOT EXIST!!
The belief in Destiny accepts that some direct unseen force pre-sets every result of human actions. It accepts that every mortal event is "fated". It presumes that human beings can never have CONTROL over their lives, over their today, over there future. C'est faux!
On the contrary, Destiny is just a logical progression. Strategic and Effective Planning usually makes this logical progression based on HARD WORK produce positive fruits.
Hence, humans as intelligent beings have CONTROL over their lives, over their today and over their tomorrow. It is this Control that makes human beings Powerful.
We also must not forget that Power is nothing without Control.
Some desperate fatalists will argue that if all Christians believe in the prophesy of Isaiah about the birth of Christ, then all christians are similarly fatalists and all believe in Destiny. This is totally false.
The Catholic doctrine about the Trinity teaches that there are Three persons in One God. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God gladly created Man in the Garden of Eden. Man fell from grace through sin. God in his mercy decided to redeem Man and grant him eternal salvation. God was in Control. God had a Plan. God planned to come in person to save Man. Jesus is God. God the Son came to this sinful world to save us. To save humanity from eternal damnation. God chose Mary has his vessel(Blessed among women). Mary full of Grace was selected cum chosen as the Mother of God(MATER DEI). She was NOT DESTINED to be The Mother of God as the fatalists wrongly postulate. There is a big difference between DESTINY and SELECTION.
God, the Lord and Maker of the Universe, never leaves anything to chance. He had a Grand Plan from the beginning. God is always in Control.
A man in control never leaves anything to chance. There is no place for "LUCK" in his dictionary or vocabulary. He believes not in "FATE".
A man in Control believes in GOD and not in the "gods".
It is true that God is ultimately in Control of our mortal lives but the fact remains that he has given us the Decannon to guide us so that we live good christian lives. God exercises control over our mortal lives in a "LAISSEZ-FAIRE" manner. He does not force us to do anything and does not preferentially grant favours to SAM in the detriment of JACK.
God has given humanity the actual control over our mortal lives. There is no Destiny.
Take Control Today! Take Charge!! Soyez en Contrôle!!!
MONSIEUR UDDIN JOSEPH OLUWASEGUN(JODDIN)
uddinjoseph.blogspot.com
twitter.com/uddinjoseph ( @uddinjoseph )
GUIDE FOR CATHECHISTS, JOZEF CARDINAL TOMKO(1993)
Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples
GUIDE FOR CATECHISTS
Document of vocational, formative and promotional orientation
of Catechists in the territories dependent
on the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples
Vatican City 1993
Venerable Brothers in the Episcopacy,
Dearly beloved Priests,
Beloved Catechists,
In this historical period, which for various reasons is very sensitive and favorable, to the influence of the Christian message, the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples has maintained a special interest in some categories of people, who play a decisive role in missionary activity. In fact, after having looked at formation in major seminaries (1986) considered the life and ministry of priests (1989), our Congregation directed its attention to lay catechists, in the Plenary Assembly of April 1992.
Catechists have always had a very important role in the secular journey of evangelisation. Even today, they are considered to be irreplaceable evangelisers, as the encyclical Redemptoris Missio so rightly states. In his message to our Plenary Assembly, the Holy Father confirmed the uniqueness of their role: "During my apostolic journeys I have been able observe personally what the catechists offer, especially in mission territories, an 'outstanding and absolutely necessary contribution to the spread of the faith and the Church'" (AG 17).
The Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples experiences directly the undisputed effectiveness of lay catechists. Under the direction of priests, in fact, they continue with frankness to announce "the Good News" to their brothers and sisters of other religions, preparing them for entry into the ecclesial community through baptism. Through religious instruction, preparation for the sacraments, animation of prayer and other works of charity, they help the baptised to grow in the fervour of the Christian life. Where there is a shortage of priests, the catechists are also entrusted with the pastoral guidance of the little community separated from the Centre. Often, they are called to witness to their faith by harsh trials and painful privations.The history of evangelisation past and present attests to their constancy even to the giving of life itself. Catechists are truly the pride of the missionary Church!
The present Catechists' Guide, fruit of the last Plenary Assembly, expresses the concern of the missionary Dicastery on behalf of this "deserving band" of lay-apostles. This Guide contains a vast and precise amount of material, which covers various topics: the identity of the catechist, his/her selection, formation and spirituality; basic apostolic tasks and finally, the economic situation.
With great hope I entrust this Guide to the Bishops, Priests and to the Catechists themselves, inviting them to scrutinise it carefully and to carry out its directives. In particular, I ask Catechetical Centres and Schools for catechists, to refer to this document for their formation and teaching programmes, whilst for content they already have in their hands the Catechism of the Catholic Church, published after the Plenary Assembly.
The diligent and faithful use of this Catechists' Guide in all the Churches dependent on our missionary Dicastery, will contribute, not only to bringing about a renewed image of the catechist but will also guarantee a concerted growth in this vital sector for the future of mission in the world.
This is my sincere wish confided in prayer to Mary,"Mother and Model of Catechists", so that she may become more and more a consoling reality in all the young Churches.
The Holy Father, informed of this commitment of our Dicastery and having seen the text of the Guide, greatly appreciated and encouraged the initiative, wholeheartedly giving his apostolic blessing, most particularly to the catechists.
Rome, Feast of Saint Francis Xavier, 3rd December 1993
Jozef Card. Tomko
Prefect
INTRODUCTION
1. An indispensable service. The Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (CEP) has always had a special concern for catechists, convinced as it is that these are, under the direction of their Pastors, a factor of prime importance in evangelization. In April 1970 it published some practical directives for catechists, and now, conscious of its responsibility and of radical changes in the missionary world, the CEP would like to call attention to the present situation, the problems that arise, and prospects for the development of this "praiseworthy army" of lay apostles. It is encouraged in this project by the many pressing interventions of His Holiness Pope John Paul II, who, during his apostolic voyages, makes use of every opportunity to stress the importance and relevance of the work of catechists as a "fundamental evangelical service".
Our task is a demanding but also a necessary and an attractive one, seeing that, from the very beginning of Christianity and wherever there has been missionary activity, catechists have made, and continue to make, "an outstanding and indispensable contribution to the spread of the faith and of the Church".
And so, having examined, in its Plenary Assembly of 27-30 April 1992, the information and suggestions that came in from a wide-ranging consultation with Bishops and catechetical centres in mission territories, the CEP has drawn up this Guide for Catechists, which treats in a doctrinal, existential and practical way the principal aspects of the catechists' vocation, identity, spirituality, selection and training, missionary and pastoral tasks, and remuneration, along with the responsibility of the People of God towards them, in today's conditions and those of the immediate future.
Under each heading we will try to give the ideals to be aimed at, along with the essential considerations, while taking account of the difficulty, in certain missionary situations, of defining who exactly can be called a catechist. The directives are deliberately given in general terms, so as to be applicable to all catechists in the young Churches. It is up to the respective Pastors to make them more specific, in keeping with the requirements and possibilities of the individual Churches.
The Guide is addressed first of all to the lay catechists themselves, but also to the Bishops, priests, religious, formators and the faithful, by reason of the strong links between the various components of the ecclesial community.
Before this Guide could see light, the Holy Father John Paul II had approved the Catechism of the Catholic Church ordering its publication. The extraordinary importance, for the Church as well as for every man of good will, of this rich and synthetic "exposition of the faith of the Church and of catholic doctrine, verified and enlightened by the Sacred Scripture, by the apostolic Tradition and by the Magisterium" is well known. Even though this is a document of different aim and content, it becomes immediately evident that the new catechism could offer some special enlightenment at different points of the Guide and, above all, that it could be a sure and authentic point of reference for the formation and for the activities of the catechists. In the final edition of the text, therefore, care has been taken to point out, particularly in the notes, the principal connections with the themes exposed in the catechism.
It is our hope that this Guide will be used as a reference book and will be a source of unity and encouragement for catechists and, through them, for their ecclesial communities. The CEP offers it, therefore, to the Episcopal Conferences and to individual Bishops as an aid to the life and apostolate of their catechists and as a basis for the renewal of national and diocesan catechetical programs and directors.
PART I
AN APOSTLE EVER RELEVANT
I. THE CATECHIST IN A MISSIONARY CHURCH
2. Vocation and identity. Every baptized Catholic is personally called by the Holy Spirit to make his or her contribution to the coming of God's kingdom. Within the lay state there are various vocations, or different spiritual and apostolic roads to be followed by both individuals and groups. Within the general vocation of the laity there are particular ones.
At the origin of the catechist's vocation, therefore, apart from the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, there is a specific call from the Holy Spirit, a "special charism recognized by the Church" and made explicit by the Bishop's mandate. It is important for the catechist candidate to recognize the supernatural and ecclesial significance of this call, so as to be able to respond, like the Son of God, "Here I come" (Heb 10:7), or, like the prophet, "Here I am, send me" (Is 6:8).
In actual missionary practice, the catechist's vocation is both specific, i.e. for the task of catechizing, and general, for collaborating in whatever apostolic services are useful for the building up of the Church.
The CEP insists on the value and distinctiveness of the catechist's vocation. Each one, therefore, should try to discover, discern and foster his or her own particular vocation .
From these premises it can be seen that catechists in mission territories have their own identity, which characterizes them in respect to those working in the older Churches, as the Church's magisterium and legislation clearly recognize .
In short, the catechist in mission territories is identified by four elements: a call from the Holy Spirit; an ecclesial mission; collaboration with the Bishop's apostolic mandate; and a special link with missionary activity ad gentes.
3. Role. Closely linked to the question of identity is that of the role of the catechist in missionary activity, a role that is both important and many-sided. Apart from the explicit proclamation of the Christian message and the accompaniment of catechumens and newly baptized Christians on their road to full maturity in the faith and in sacramental life, the catechist's role comprises presence and witness, and involvement in human development, inculturation and dialogue.
Thus the Church's Magisterium, when it speaks of catechists "in mission lands", treats the subject as an important one and gives space to it. The Encyclical Redemptoris Missio, for instance, describes catechists as "specialized workers, direct witnesses, indispensable evangelizers, who represent the basic strength of Christian communities, especially in the young Churches". The Code of Canon Law has a canon on catechists involved in strictly missionary activity and describes them as "lay members of Christ's faithful who have received proper formation and are outstanding in their living of the Christian life. Under the direction of missionaries, they are to present the Gospel teaching and engage in liturgical worship and in works of charity".
This description of the catechist corresponds with that of the CEP in its 1970 Plenary Assembly: "The catechist is a lay person specially appointed by the Church, in accordance with local needs, to make Christ known, loved and followed by those who do not yet know Him and by the faithful themselves".
To the catechist, as indeed to other members of the faithful, may be entrusted, in accordance with the canonical norms, certain functions of the sacred ministry which do not require the character of Holy Orders. The execution of these functions, when a priest is not available, does not make a pastor of the catechist, inasmuch as he or she derives legitimation directly from the official permission granted by the Pastors. However, we may recall a clarification made in the past by the CEP itself: in his or her ordinary activity, "the catechist is not a simple substitute for the priest, but is, by right, a witness of Christ in the community".
4. Categories and tasks. Catechists in mission territories are not only different from those in older Churches, but among themselves vary greatly in characteristics and modes of action from one young Church to another, so that it is difficult to give a single description that would apply to all.
There are two main types of catechist: full-time catechists, who devote their life completely to this service and are officially recognized as such; and part-time catechists, who offer a more limited, but still precious, collaboration. The proportion between the two categories varies from place to place, but in general there are far more part-time than full-time catechists.
Various tasks are entrusted to both types of catechist, and it is in these tasks that one can see the great diversity that exists between different areas. The following outline would seem to give a realistic summary of the main functions entrusted to catechists in Churches dependent on the CEP:
- Catechists with the specific task of catechizing, which includes educating young people and adults in the faith, preparing candidates and their families for the sacraments of Christian initiation, and helping with retreats and other meetings connected with catechesis. Catechists with these functions are more numerous in Churches that have stressed the development of lay services.
- Catechists who collaborate in different forms of apostolate with ordained ministers, whose direction they willingly accept. The tasks entrusted to them are multiple: preaching to non-Christians; catechizing catechumens and those already baptized; leading community prayer, especially at the Sunday liturgy in the absence of a priest; helping the sick and presiding at funerals; training other catechists in special centres or guiding volunteer catechists in their work; taking charge of pastoral initiatives and organizing parish functions; helping the poor and working for human development and justice. This type of catechist is more common in places where parishes cover a large area with scattered communities far from the centre, or where, because of a shortage of clergy, parish priests select lay leaders to help them.
The dynamism of the young Churches and their socio-cultural situation give rise to other apostolic functions. For instance, there are religion teachers in schools, teaching both baptized and non-Christian students. These can be found in government schools, where the State allows religious instruction, as well as in Catholic schools. There are also Sunday catechists, who teach in Sunday schools organized by the parish, especially where the State does not allow religious instruction in its schools. And in large cities, especially in the poorer quarters, there are lay apostles doing excellent work among the destitute, immigrants, prisoners and others in need. Such functions are considered, according to the sensibilities and experience of the different Churches, as either proper to the catechist or as a general form of lay service to the Church and its mission. The CEP considers the multiplicity and variety of these tasks as an expression of the richness of the Spirit at work in the young Churches, and recommends them all to the attention of the Bishops. It asks them to foster especially those that best respond to present needs and to the immediate future, in so far as this can be foreseen.
There is another consideration. Catechists may be old or young, male or female, married or single, and these factors should be taken into account in assigning tasks in the various cultural settings. Thus, a married man seems most indicated to be the community leader, especially in societies where men still have a dominant role. Women would seem to be the natural choice for educating the young and working for the Christian promotion of women. Married adults have greater stability and can give witness to the values of Christian marriage. The young, on the other hand, are to be preferred for contact with youth and for activities that take up more time.
Finally, one should bear in mind that, beside the lay catechists, there is a great number of religious men and women, who carry out catechesis and, because of their special consecration, are able to bear a unique witness in the capacity of their mission and consequently are called to be available and prepared in their own way for this task. In practice they take on many of the tasks of the catechist and, because of their close cooperation with the priests, often play a directing role. The CEP, therefore, strongly recommends the involvement of religious men and women, as is already the practice in many places, in this important sector of ecclesial life, especially in the training and guidance of catechists.
5. Prospects for development in the near future. The tendency in general, and one which the CEP approves of and encourages, is for the figure of the catechist as such to be affirmed and developed, independently of the tasks he or she performs. The value of catechists and their influence on the apostolate are always decisive for the Church's mission.
Basing itself on its own worldwide experience, the CEP offers the following suggestions to help promote reflection on this subject:
- Absolute precedence must be given to quality. A common problem is certainly the scarcity of properly trained candidates. The character of the catechist is of prime importance, and this must influence the criteria for selection and the program for training and guidance. The words of the Holy Father are illuminating: "For such a fundamental evangelical service a great number of workers are necessary. But, while striving for numbers, we must aim above all today at securing the quality of the catechist".
- In view of the present impetus towards a renewed mission ad gentes, the future of the catechist in the young Churches will certainly be marked by missionary zeal. Catechists, therefore, should be ever more fully qualified as lay pioneers of the apostolate. In the future, as in the past, they should be distinguished by their indispensable contribution to missionary activity ad gentes.
- It is not enough to fix an objective, but suitable means must be chosen for attaining the goal, and this holds true also for the training of catechists. Concrete programs should be drawn up, adequate structures and financial support provided, and qualified formators secured, so as to provide the catechists with a solid formation. Obviously the scale of the facilities and the level of study will vary according to the real possibilities of each Church, but certain standards should be attained by all, without giving in to difficulties.
- The cadres in charge to be strengthened. Everywhere there should be at least a few professional catechists who have been trained in suitable centres and who, placed in key posts of the catechetical organization under the direction of their Pastors, see to the preparation of new candidates, introduce them to their functions and guide them in their work. These cadres should be found at all levels - parish, diocesan and national - and will be a guarantee of the good functioning of such an important sector of the Church's life.
- The CEP expects that in the near future the work of catechists will be still further developed, and we should try to see from now how tomorrow's protagonists will act.
Special encouragement will be given to catechists with a marked missionary spirit, who "will themselves become missionary animators in their ecclesial communities and would be willing, if the Spirit so calls them and their Pastors commission them, to go outside their own territory to preach the gospel, prepare catechumens for baptism and build new ecclesial communities".
Catechists who are involved in the catechesis will have a developing future, because, the young Churches are multiplying the services of the lay apostolate, which are distinct from those of the catechists. Hence it will be of great use to have specialized catechists, for instance, those who promote christian life where the majority of the people are already baptized but where the level of religious instruction and of the life of faith is not high. Catechists should also be trained for challenges which already face us today and will become even greater in future: urbanization, increasing numbers going on to third-level education, the world of youngsters, migrants and refugees, growing secularization, political changes, the influence of the mass media, etc.
The CEP draws attention to these future prospects and the need to face up to them, while realizing that it is up to the local Pastors to see how best to go about it. Episcopal Conferences and individual Bishops should draw up a program for the preparation of catechists for the future, giving special attention to the missionary dimension in both their training and activity. These programs should not be vague, but specific and adapted to local conditions, so that each Church will have both the catechists it needs today and those that will be necessary in the near future.
II. THE CATECHIST'S SPIRITUALITY
6. Necessity and nature of spirituality for the catechist. Catechists must have a deep spirituality, i.e. they must live in the Spirit, who will help them to renew themselves continually in their specific identity.
The need for a spirituality proper to catechists springs from their vocation and mission. It includes, therefore, a new and special motivation, a call to sanctity. Pope John Paul II's saying: "The true missionary is the saint", can be applied without hesitation to the catechist. Like every member of the faithful, catechists are "called to holiness and to mission", i.e. to live out their own vocation "with the fervour of the saints".
Their spirituality is closely bound up with their status as lay Christians, made participants, in their own degree, in Christ's prophetic, priestly and kingly offices. As members of the laity, they are involved in the secular world and have, "according to the condition of each, the special obligation to permeate and perfect the temporal order of things with the spirit of the gospel. In this way, particularly in conducting secular business and exercising secular functions, they are to give witness to Christ".
For married catechists, matrimonial life forms an integral part of their spirituality. As the Pope justly affirms, "married catechists are expected to bear witness constantly to the Christian value of matrimony, living the sacrament in full fidelity and educating their children with a sense of responsibility". This matrimonial spirituality can have great impact on their activity, and it would be good for them to involve their spouse and children in the work, so that the whole family radiates apostolic witness.
Catechists' spirituality is also conditioned by their apostolic vocation, and therefore should bear the marks of: openness to God's word, to the Church and to the world; authenticity of life; missionary zeal; and devotion to Mary.
7. Openness to the Word. The office of catechist is basically that of communicating God's word, and so the fundamental spiritual attitude should be one of openness to this word, contained in revelation, preached by the Church, celebrated in the liturgy and lived out in the lives of saints. This is always an encounter with Christ, hidden in his word, in the eucharist and in our brothers and sisters. Openness to the word means openness to God, to the Church and to the world. - Openness to God Uno et Trino, who is in the most intimate depths of each person and gives meaning to his or her life: convictions, criteria, scale of values, decisions, relationships, behavior etc. Catechists should allow themselves to be drawn into the circle of the Father, who communicates the word; of the Son, the incarnate Word, who speaks only the words He hears from the Father (cf. Jn 8:26; 12:49); and of the Holy Spirit, who enlightens the mind to help it understand God's words and opens the heart to receive them with love and put them into practice (cf. Jn 16:12-14).
It is a spirituality, therefore, that is rooted in the living word of God, with a Trinitarian dimension, like the universal mission itself with its offer of salvation. It requires a corresponding interior attitude which shares in the love of the Father, who wishes that all should come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved (cf. 1Tim 2:4); which seeks communion with Christ, so as to share his own "mind" (Phil 2:5) and experience, like Paul, his comforting presence: "Do not be afraid... because I am with you" (Acts 18:9-10); which allows oneself to be molded by the Spirit and transformed into a courageous witness of Christ and enlightened preacher of the word.
- Openness to the Church, of which catechists are living members, which they strive to build up, and from which they receive their mandate. The word is entrusted to the Church, so that it may keep it faithfully, deepen its understanding of it with the help of the Holy Spirit, and proclaim it to the whole world.
As People of God and the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church requires from catechists a deep sense of belonging and responsibility, inasmuch as they are living and active members of it; as universal sacrament of salvation, it elicits the will to live its mystery and its manifold grace so as to be enriched by it and become a visible sign to the community. The catechist's service is never an individual or isolated act, but is always deeply ecclesial.
Openness to the Church expresses itself by filial love, dedication to its service and a willingness to suffer for its cause. In particular, it is expressed in the attachment and obedience to the Roman Pontiff, the centre of unity and the bond of universal communion, so also to the Bishop, the father and guide of the particular Church. Catechists should share responsibly in the earthly vicissitudes of the pilgrim Church, which is by nature missionary, and aspire with it towards the final reunion with Christ the Spouse.
The ecclesial sense that is proper to the catechist's spirituality expresses itself, therefore, in sincere love of the Church, in imitation of Christ, who "loved the Church and sacrificed himself for her" (Eph 5:25). It is an active and total love, which becomes a sharing in the Church's mission of salvation to the point even of giving one's life for it if necessary.
- Missionary openness to the world, finally - the world which is offered the salvation that springs from "that fountain of love or charity within God the Father"; the world in which historically God's Word came to live among us to redeem us (cf. Jn 1:14), and in which the Holy Spirit was poured out to sanctify men and women and gather them into the Church, to have access to the Father through Christ in the one Spirit (cf. Eph 2:18).
Catechists, therefore, will be open and attentive to the needs of the world, knowing that they are called to work in and for the world, without however belonging completely to it (cf. Jn 17:14-21). This means that they must be thoroughly involved in the life of the society about them, without pulling back from fear of difficulties or withdrawing through love of tranquillity. But they must keep a supernatural outlook on life and trust in the efficacy of God's word, which does not return to Him without "succeeding in what it was sent to do" (Is 55:11).
Openness to the world is a characteristic of the catechist's spirituality in virtue of the apostolic love of Jesus the Good Shepherd, who came "to gather together in unity the scattered children of God" (Jn 11:52). Catechists must be filled with this love, bringing it to their brothers and sisters as they preach to them that God loves and offers his salvation to all.
8. Coherence and authenticity of life. The work of catechists involves their whole being. Before they preach the word, they must make it their own and live by it . "The world (...) needs evangelizers who speak of a God that they know and who is familiar to them, as if they saw the Invisible".
What catechists teach should not be a purely human science nor the sum of their personal opinions but the Church's faith, which is the same throughout the world, which they themselves live and whose witnesses they are.
Hence the need for coherence and authenticity of life. Before doing the catechesis one must first of all be a catechist. The truth of their lives confirms their message. It would be sad if they did not "practice what they preached" and spoke about a God of whom they had theoretical knowledge but with whom they had no contact. They should apply to themselves the words of St. Mark concerning the vocation of the apostles: "He appointed twelve, to be his companions and to be sent out to preach" (Mk 3:14-15).
Authenticity of life means a life of prayer, experience of God and fidelity to the action of the Holy Spirit. It implies a certain intensity and an internal and external orderliness, adapted to the various personal and family situations of each. It might be objected that catechists, being members of the laity, cannot have a structured spiritual life like that of religious and that therefore they must content themselves with something less. But in every life situation, whether one is engaged in secular work or in the ministry, it is possible for everyone, priest, religious or lay person, to attain a high degree of communion with God and an ordered rhythm of prayer, including the finding of times of silence for entering more deeply into the contemplation of God. The more intense and real one's spiritual life is, the more convincing and efficacious will one's witness and activity be.
It is also important for catechists that they grow interiorly in the peace and joy of Christ, so that they may be examples of hope and courage (cf. Rom 12:12). For Christ "is our peace" (Eph 2:14), and He gives his apostles his joy that their "joy may be full" (Jn 15:11).
Catechists, therefore, should be bearers of paschal joy and hope, in the name of the Church. In fact, "the most precious gift that the Church can offer to the bewildered and restless world of our time is to form within it Christians who are confirmed in what is essential and who are humbly joyful in their faith".
9. Missionary zeal. In view of their baptism and special vocation, catechists who live in daily contact with large numbers of non-Christians, as is the case in mission territories, cannot but feel moved by Christ's words: "Other sheep I have that are not of this fold, and these too I must lead" (Jn 10:16); "go out to the whole world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mk 16:15). To be able to affirm, like Peter and John before the Sanhedrin, "we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20), and to realize with Paul the ideal of apostolic ministry: "the love of Christ overwhelms us" (2Cor 5:14), catechists should have a strong missionary spirit - a spirit that will be all the more effective if they are seen to be convinced of what they say and are enthusiastic and courageous, without ever being ashamed of the gospel (cf. Rom 1:16). While the wise ones according to this world seek immediate gratification, the catechist will glory only in Christ, who gives strength (cf. Col 1:29), and will wish to know and preach only "Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God" (1Cor 1:24). As the Catechism of the Catholic Church rightly affirms, from "the loving knowledge of Christ springs out the irresistible desire to announce, to 'evangelize' and to lead others to the 'yes' of the faith in Jesus Christ. At the same time, one also feels the need to know this faith ever better".
Catechists will try to be like the shepherd who goes in search of the lost sheep "until he finds it" (Lk 15:4), or like the woman with the lost drachma who would "search thoroughly until she had found it" (Lk 15:8). Their convictions should be a source of apostolic zeal: "I have made myself all things to all in order to save some at any cost. I do it all for the sake of the gospel" (1Cor 9:22-23; cf. 2Cor 12:15). And again St. Paul says: "Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel" (1Cor 9:16). The burning zeal of St. Paul should inspire catechists to stir up their own zeal, which should be the response to their vocation, and which will help them to preach Christ boldly and work actively for the growth of the ecclesial community .
Finally, one should not forget that the stamp of authenticity on the missionary spirit is that of the cross. The Christ whom catechists have come to know is "a crucified Christ" (1Cor 2:2); he whom they preach is "Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles" (1Cor 1:23), whom the Father raised from the dead on the third day (cf. Acts 10:40). They should be prepared, therefore, to live in hope the mystery of the death and resurrection of Christ in the midst of difficult situations, personal suffering, family problems and obstacles in their apostolic work, as they strive to follow the Lord on his own difficult road: "in my own body I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, the Church" (Col 1:24) .
10. Devotion to Mary. Through her own special vocation, Mary saw the Son of God "grow in wisdom, in age and in grace" (Lk 2:52). She was the teacher who "trained Him in human knowledge of the Scriptures and of God's loving plan for his people, and in adoration of the Father". She was also "the first of his disciples". As St. Augustine boldly affirmed, to be his disciple was more important for Mary than to be his mother. One can say with reason and joy that Mary is a "living catechism", "mother and model of catechists".
The spirituality of catechists, like that of every Christian and especially those involved in the apostolate, will be enriched by a deep devotion to the Mother of God. Before explaining to others the place of Mary in the mystery of Christ and the Church, they should have her present in their own soul and should give evidence of a sincere Marian piety, which they will communicate to the community. They will find in Mary a simple and effective model, for themselves and others: "The Virgin Mary in her own life lived an example of that maternal love by which all should be fittingly animated who cooperate in the apostolic mission of the Church on behalf of the rebirth of humanity".
The preaching of the word is always connected with prayer, the celebration of the eucharist and the building of community. The earliest Christian community was a model of this.
GUIDE FOR CATECHISTS
Document of vocational, formative and promotional orientation
of Catechists in the territories dependent
on the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples
Vatican City 1993
Venerable Brothers in the Episcopacy,
Dearly beloved Priests,
Beloved Catechists,
In this historical period, which for various reasons is very sensitive and favorable, to the influence of the Christian message, the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples has maintained a special interest in some categories of people, who play a decisive role in missionary activity. In fact, after having looked at formation in major seminaries (1986) considered the life and ministry of priests (1989), our Congregation directed its attention to lay catechists, in the Plenary Assembly of April 1992.
Catechists have always had a very important role in the secular journey of evangelisation. Even today, they are considered to be irreplaceable evangelisers, as the encyclical Redemptoris Missio so rightly states. In his message to our Plenary Assembly, the Holy Father confirmed the uniqueness of their role: "During my apostolic journeys I have been able observe personally what the catechists offer, especially in mission territories, an 'outstanding and absolutely necessary contribution to the spread of the faith and the Church'" (AG 17).
The Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples experiences directly the undisputed effectiveness of lay catechists. Under the direction of priests, in fact, they continue with frankness to announce "the Good News" to their brothers and sisters of other religions, preparing them for entry into the ecclesial community through baptism. Through religious instruction, preparation for the sacraments, animation of prayer and other works of charity, they help the baptised to grow in the fervour of the Christian life. Where there is a shortage of priests, the catechists are also entrusted with the pastoral guidance of the little community separated from the Centre. Often, they are called to witness to their faith by harsh trials and painful privations.The history of evangelisation past and present attests to their constancy even to the giving of life itself. Catechists are truly the pride of the missionary Church!
The present Catechists' Guide, fruit of the last Plenary Assembly, expresses the concern of the missionary Dicastery on behalf of this "deserving band" of lay-apostles. This Guide contains a vast and precise amount of material, which covers various topics: the identity of the catechist, his/her selection, formation and spirituality; basic apostolic tasks and finally, the economic situation.
With great hope I entrust this Guide to the Bishops, Priests and to the Catechists themselves, inviting them to scrutinise it carefully and to carry out its directives. In particular, I ask Catechetical Centres and Schools for catechists, to refer to this document for their formation and teaching programmes, whilst for content they already have in their hands the Catechism of the Catholic Church, published after the Plenary Assembly.
The diligent and faithful use of this Catechists' Guide in all the Churches dependent on our missionary Dicastery, will contribute, not only to bringing about a renewed image of the catechist but will also guarantee a concerted growth in this vital sector for the future of mission in the world.
This is my sincere wish confided in prayer to Mary,"Mother and Model of Catechists", so that she may become more and more a consoling reality in all the young Churches.
The Holy Father, informed of this commitment of our Dicastery and having seen the text of the Guide, greatly appreciated and encouraged the initiative, wholeheartedly giving his apostolic blessing, most particularly to the catechists.
Rome, Feast of Saint Francis Xavier, 3rd December 1993
Jozef Card. Tomko
Prefect
INTRODUCTION
1. An indispensable service. The Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (CEP) has always had a special concern for catechists, convinced as it is that these are, under the direction of their Pastors, a factor of prime importance in evangelization. In April 1970 it published some practical directives for catechists, and now, conscious of its responsibility and of radical changes in the missionary world, the CEP would like to call attention to the present situation, the problems that arise, and prospects for the development of this "praiseworthy army" of lay apostles. It is encouraged in this project by the many pressing interventions of His Holiness Pope John Paul II, who, during his apostolic voyages, makes use of every opportunity to stress the importance and relevance of the work of catechists as a "fundamental evangelical service".
Our task is a demanding but also a necessary and an attractive one, seeing that, from the very beginning of Christianity and wherever there has been missionary activity, catechists have made, and continue to make, "an outstanding and indispensable contribution to the spread of the faith and of the Church".
And so, having examined, in its Plenary Assembly of 27-30 April 1992, the information and suggestions that came in from a wide-ranging consultation with Bishops and catechetical centres in mission territories, the CEP has drawn up this Guide for Catechists, which treats in a doctrinal, existential and practical way the principal aspects of the catechists' vocation, identity, spirituality, selection and training, missionary and pastoral tasks, and remuneration, along with the responsibility of the People of God towards them, in today's conditions and those of the immediate future.
Under each heading we will try to give the ideals to be aimed at, along with the essential considerations, while taking account of the difficulty, in certain missionary situations, of defining who exactly can be called a catechist. The directives are deliberately given in general terms, so as to be applicable to all catechists in the young Churches. It is up to the respective Pastors to make them more specific, in keeping with the requirements and possibilities of the individual Churches.
The Guide is addressed first of all to the lay catechists themselves, but also to the Bishops, priests, religious, formators and the faithful, by reason of the strong links between the various components of the ecclesial community.
Before this Guide could see light, the Holy Father John Paul II had approved the Catechism of the Catholic Church ordering its publication. The extraordinary importance, for the Church as well as for every man of good will, of this rich and synthetic "exposition of the faith of the Church and of catholic doctrine, verified and enlightened by the Sacred Scripture, by the apostolic Tradition and by the Magisterium" is well known. Even though this is a document of different aim and content, it becomes immediately evident that the new catechism could offer some special enlightenment at different points of the Guide and, above all, that it could be a sure and authentic point of reference for the formation and for the activities of the catechists. In the final edition of the text, therefore, care has been taken to point out, particularly in the notes, the principal connections with the themes exposed in the catechism.
It is our hope that this Guide will be used as a reference book and will be a source of unity and encouragement for catechists and, through them, for their ecclesial communities. The CEP offers it, therefore, to the Episcopal Conferences and to individual Bishops as an aid to the life and apostolate of their catechists and as a basis for the renewal of national and diocesan catechetical programs and directors.
PART I
AN APOSTLE EVER RELEVANT
I. THE CATECHIST IN A MISSIONARY CHURCH
2. Vocation and identity. Every baptized Catholic is personally called by the Holy Spirit to make his or her contribution to the coming of God's kingdom. Within the lay state there are various vocations, or different spiritual and apostolic roads to be followed by both individuals and groups. Within the general vocation of the laity there are particular ones.
At the origin of the catechist's vocation, therefore, apart from the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, there is a specific call from the Holy Spirit, a "special charism recognized by the Church" and made explicit by the Bishop's mandate. It is important for the catechist candidate to recognize the supernatural and ecclesial significance of this call, so as to be able to respond, like the Son of God, "Here I come" (Heb 10:7), or, like the prophet, "Here I am, send me" (Is 6:8).
In actual missionary practice, the catechist's vocation is both specific, i.e. for the task of catechizing, and general, for collaborating in whatever apostolic services are useful for the building up of the Church.
The CEP insists on the value and distinctiveness of the catechist's vocation. Each one, therefore, should try to discover, discern and foster his or her own particular vocation .
From these premises it can be seen that catechists in mission territories have their own identity, which characterizes them in respect to those working in the older Churches, as the Church's magisterium and legislation clearly recognize .
In short, the catechist in mission territories is identified by four elements: a call from the Holy Spirit; an ecclesial mission; collaboration with the Bishop's apostolic mandate; and a special link with missionary activity ad gentes.
3. Role. Closely linked to the question of identity is that of the role of the catechist in missionary activity, a role that is both important and many-sided. Apart from the explicit proclamation of the Christian message and the accompaniment of catechumens and newly baptized Christians on their road to full maturity in the faith and in sacramental life, the catechist's role comprises presence and witness, and involvement in human development, inculturation and dialogue.
Thus the Church's Magisterium, when it speaks of catechists "in mission lands", treats the subject as an important one and gives space to it. The Encyclical Redemptoris Missio, for instance, describes catechists as "specialized workers, direct witnesses, indispensable evangelizers, who represent the basic strength of Christian communities, especially in the young Churches". The Code of Canon Law has a canon on catechists involved in strictly missionary activity and describes them as "lay members of Christ's faithful who have received proper formation and are outstanding in their living of the Christian life. Under the direction of missionaries, they are to present the Gospel teaching and engage in liturgical worship and in works of charity".
This description of the catechist corresponds with that of the CEP in its 1970 Plenary Assembly: "The catechist is a lay person specially appointed by the Church, in accordance with local needs, to make Christ known, loved and followed by those who do not yet know Him and by the faithful themselves".
To the catechist, as indeed to other members of the faithful, may be entrusted, in accordance with the canonical norms, certain functions of the sacred ministry which do not require the character of Holy Orders. The execution of these functions, when a priest is not available, does not make a pastor of the catechist, inasmuch as he or she derives legitimation directly from the official permission granted by the Pastors. However, we may recall a clarification made in the past by the CEP itself: in his or her ordinary activity, "the catechist is not a simple substitute for the priest, but is, by right, a witness of Christ in the community".
4. Categories and tasks. Catechists in mission territories are not only different from those in older Churches, but among themselves vary greatly in characteristics and modes of action from one young Church to another, so that it is difficult to give a single description that would apply to all.
There are two main types of catechist: full-time catechists, who devote their life completely to this service and are officially recognized as such; and part-time catechists, who offer a more limited, but still precious, collaboration. The proportion between the two categories varies from place to place, but in general there are far more part-time than full-time catechists.
Various tasks are entrusted to both types of catechist, and it is in these tasks that one can see the great diversity that exists between different areas. The following outline would seem to give a realistic summary of the main functions entrusted to catechists in Churches dependent on the CEP:
- Catechists with the specific task of catechizing, which includes educating young people and adults in the faith, preparing candidates and their families for the sacraments of Christian initiation, and helping with retreats and other meetings connected with catechesis. Catechists with these functions are more numerous in Churches that have stressed the development of lay services.
- Catechists who collaborate in different forms of apostolate with ordained ministers, whose direction they willingly accept. The tasks entrusted to them are multiple: preaching to non-Christians; catechizing catechumens and those already baptized; leading community prayer, especially at the Sunday liturgy in the absence of a priest; helping the sick and presiding at funerals; training other catechists in special centres or guiding volunteer catechists in their work; taking charge of pastoral initiatives and organizing parish functions; helping the poor and working for human development and justice. This type of catechist is more common in places where parishes cover a large area with scattered communities far from the centre, or where, because of a shortage of clergy, parish priests select lay leaders to help them.
The dynamism of the young Churches and their socio-cultural situation give rise to other apostolic functions. For instance, there are religion teachers in schools, teaching both baptized and non-Christian students. These can be found in government schools, where the State allows religious instruction, as well as in Catholic schools. There are also Sunday catechists, who teach in Sunday schools organized by the parish, especially where the State does not allow religious instruction in its schools. And in large cities, especially in the poorer quarters, there are lay apostles doing excellent work among the destitute, immigrants, prisoners and others in need. Such functions are considered, according to the sensibilities and experience of the different Churches, as either proper to the catechist or as a general form of lay service to the Church and its mission. The CEP considers the multiplicity and variety of these tasks as an expression of the richness of the Spirit at work in the young Churches, and recommends them all to the attention of the Bishops. It asks them to foster especially those that best respond to present needs and to the immediate future, in so far as this can be foreseen.
There is another consideration. Catechists may be old or young, male or female, married or single, and these factors should be taken into account in assigning tasks in the various cultural settings. Thus, a married man seems most indicated to be the community leader, especially in societies where men still have a dominant role. Women would seem to be the natural choice for educating the young and working for the Christian promotion of women. Married adults have greater stability and can give witness to the values of Christian marriage. The young, on the other hand, are to be preferred for contact with youth and for activities that take up more time.
Finally, one should bear in mind that, beside the lay catechists, there is a great number of religious men and women, who carry out catechesis and, because of their special consecration, are able to bear a unique witness in the capacity of their mission and consequently are called to be available and prepared in their own way for this task. In practice they take on many of the tasks of the catechist and, because of their close cooperation with the priests, often play a directing role. The CEP, therefore, strongly recommends the involvement of religious men and women, as is already the practice in many places, in this important sector of ecclesial life, especially in the training and guidance of catechists.
5. Prospects for development in the near future. The tendency in general, and one which the CEP approves of and encourages, is for the figure of the catechist as such to be affirmed and developed, independently of the tasks he or she performs. The value of catechists and their influence on the apostolate are always decisive for the Church's mission.
Basing itself on its own worldwide experience, the CEP offers the following suggestions to help promote reflection on this subject:
- Absolute precedence must be given to quality. A common problem is certainly the scarcity of properly trained candidates. The character of the catechist is of prime importance, and this must influence the criteria for selection and the program for training and guidance. The words of the Holy Father are illuminating: "For such a fundamental evangelical service a great number of workers are necessary. But, while striving for numbers, we must aim above all today at securing the quality of the catechist".
- In view of the present impetus towards a renewed mission ad gentes, the future of the catechist in the young Churches will certainly be marked by missionary zeal. Catechists, therefore, should be ever more fully qualified as lay pioneers of the apostolate. In the future, as in the past, they should be distinguished by their indispensable contribution to missionary activity ad gentes.
- It is not enough to fix an objective, but suitable means must be chosen for attaining the goal, and this holds true also for the training of catechists. Concrete programs should be drawn up, adequate structures and financial support provided, and qualified formators secured, so as to provide the catechists with a solid formation. Obviously the scale of the facilities and the level of study will vary according to the real possibilities of each Church, but certain standards should be attained by all, without giving in to difficulties.
- The cadres in charge to be strengthened. Everywhere there should be at least a few professional catechists who have been trained in suitable centres and who, placed in key posts of the catechetical organization under the direction of their Pastors, see to the preparation of new candidates, introduce them to their functions and guide them in their work. These cadres should be found at all levels - parish, diocesan and national - and will be a guarantee of the good functioning of such an important sector of the Church's life.
- The CEP expects that in the near future the work of catechists will be still further developed, and we should try to see from now how tomorrow's protagonists will act.
Special encouragement will be given to catechists with a marked missionary spirit, who "will themselves become missionary animators in their ecclesial communities and would be willing, if the Spirit so calls them and their Pastors commission them, to go outside their own territory to preach the gospel, prepare catechumens for baptism and build new ecclesial communities".
Catechists who are involved in the catechesis will have a developing future, because, the young Churches are multiplying the services of the lay apostolate, which are distinct from those of the catechists. Hence it will be of great use to have specialized catechists, for instance, those who promote christian life where the majority of the people are already baptized but where the level of religious instruction and of the life of faith is not high. Catechists should also be trained for challenges which already face us today and will become even greater in future: urbanization, increasing numbers going on to third-level education, the world of youngsters, migrants and refugees, growing secularization, political changes, the influence of the mass media, etc.
The CEP draws attention to these future prospects and the need to face up to them, while realizing that it is up to the local Pastors to see how best to go about it. Episcopal Conferences and individual Bishops should draw up a program for the preparation of catechists for the future, giving special attention to the missionary dimension in both their training and activity. These programs should not be vague, but specific and adapted to local conditions, so that each Church will have both the catechists it needs today and those that will be necessary in the near future.
II. THE CATECHIST'S SPIRITUALITY
6. Necessity and nature of spirituality for the catechist. Catechists must have a deep spirituality, i.e. they must live in the Spirit, who will help them to renew themselves continually in their specific identity.
The need for a spirituality proper to catechists springs from their vocation and mission. It includes, therefore, a new and special motivation, a call to sanctity. Pope John Paul II's saying: "The true missionary is the saint", can be applied without hesitation to the catechist. Like every member of the faithful, catechists are "called to holiness and to mission", i.e. to live out their own vocation "with the fervour of the saints".
Their spirituality is closely bound up with their status as lay Christians, made participants, in their own degree, in Christ's prophetic, priestly and kingly offices. As members of the laity, they are involved in the secular world and have, "according to the condition of each, the special obligation to permeate and perfect the temporal order of things with the spirit of the gospel. In this way, particularly in conducting secular business and exercising secular functions, they are to give witness to Christ".
For married catechists, matrimonial life forms an integral part of their spirituality. As the Pope justly affirms, "married catechists are expected to bear witness constantly to the Christian value of matrimony, living the sacrament in full fidelity and educating their children with a sense of responsibility". This matrimonial spirituality can have great impact on their activity, and it would be good for them to involve their spouse and children in the work, so that the whole family radiates apostolic witness.
Catechists' spirituality is also conditioned by their apostolic vocation, and therefore should bear the marks of: openness to God's word, to the Church and to the world; authenticity of life; missionary zeal; and devotion to Mary.
7. Openness to the Word. The office of catechist is basically that of communicating God's word, and so the fundamental spiritual attitude should be one of openness to this word, contained in revelation, preached by the Church, celebrated in the liturgy and lived out in the lives of saints. This is always an encounter with Christ, hidden in his word, in the eucharist and in our brothers and sisters. Openness to the word means openness to God, to the Church and to the world. - Openness to God Uno et Trino, who is in the most intimate depths of each person and gives meaning to his or her life: convictions, criteria, scale of values, decisions, relationships, behavior etc. Catechists should allow themselves to be drawn into the circle of the Father, who communicates the word; of the Son, the incarnate Word, who speaks only the words He hears from the Father (cf. Jn 8:26; 12:49); and of the Holy Spirit, who enlightens the mind to help it understand God's words and opens the heart to receive them with love and put them into practice (cf. Jn 16:12-14).
It is a spirituality, therefore, that is rooted in the living word of God, with a Trinitarian dimension, like the universal mission itself with its offer of salvation. It requires a corresponding interior attitude which shares in the love of the Father, who wishes that all should come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved (cf. 1Tim 2:4); which seeks communion with Christ, so as to share his own "mind" (Phil 2:5) and experience, like Paul, his comforting presence: "Do not be afraid... because I am with you" (Acts 18:9-10); which allows oneself to be molded by the Spirit and transformed into a courageous witness of Christ and enlightened preacher of the word.
- Openness to the Church, of which catechists are living members, which they strive to build up, and from which they receive their mandate. The word is entrusted to the Church, so that it may keep it faithfully, deepen its understanding of it with the help of the Holy Spirit, and proclaim it to the whole world.
As People of God and the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church requires from catechists a deep sense of belonging and responsibility, inasmuch as they are living and active members of it; as universal sacrament of salvation, it elicits the will to live its mystery and its manifold grace so as to be enriched by it and become a visible sign to the community. The catechist's service is never an individual or isolated act, but is always deeply ecclesial.
Openness to the Church expresses itself by filial love, dedication to its service and a willingness to suffer for its cause. In particular, it is expressed in the attachment and obedience to the Roman Pontiff, the centre of unity and the bond of universal communion, so also to the Bishop, the father and guide of the particular Church. Catechists should share responsibly in the earthly vicissitudes of the pilgrim Church, which is by nature missionary, and aspire with it towards the final reunion with Christ the Spouse.
The ecclesial sense that is proper to the catechist's spirituality expresses itself, therefore, in sincere love of the Church, in imitation of Christ, who "loved the Church and sacrificed himself for her" (Eph 5:25). It is an active and total love, which becomes a sharing in the Church's mission of salvation to the point even of giving one's life for it if necessary.
- Missionary openness to the world, finally - the world which is offered the salvation that springs from "that fountain of love or charity within God the Father"; the world in which historically God's Word came to live among us to redeem us (cf. Jn 1:14), and in which the Holy Spirit was poured out to sanctify men and women and gather them into the Church, to have access to the Father through Christ in the one Spirit (cf. Eph 2:18).
Catechists, therefore, will be open and attentive to the needs of the world, knowing that they are called to work in and for the world, without however belonging completely to it (cf. Jn 17:14-21). This means that they must be thoroughly involved in the life of the society about them, without pulling back from fear of difficulties or withdrawing through love of tranquillity. But they must keep a supernatural outlook on life and trust in the efficacy of God's word, which does not return to Him without "succeeding in what it was sent to do" (Is 55:11).
Openness to the world is a characteristic of the catechist's spirituality in virtue of the apostolic love of Jesus the Good Shepherd, who came "to gather together in unity the scattered children of God" (Jn 11:52). Catechists must be filled with this love, bringing it to their brothers and sisters as they preach to them that God loves and offers his salvation to all.
8. Coherence and authenticity of life. The work of catechists involves their whole being. Before they preach the word, they must make it their own and live by it . "The world (...) needs evangelizers who speak of a God that they know and who is familiar to them, as if they saw the Invisible".
What catechists teach should not be a purely human science nor the sum of their personal opinions but the Church's faith, which is the same throughout the world, which they themselves live and whose witnesses they are.
Hence the need for coherence and authenticity of life. Before doing the catechesis one must first of all be a catechist. The truth of their lives confirms their message. It would be sad if they did not "practice what they preached" and spoke about a God of whom they had theoretical knowledge but with whom they had no contact. They should apply to themselves the words of St. Mark concerning the vocation of the apostles: "He appointed twelve, to be his companions and to be sent out to preach" (Mk 3:14-15).
Authenticity of life means a life of prayer, experience of God and fidelity to the action of the Holy Spirit. It implies a certain intensity and an internal and external orderliness, adapted to the various personal and family situations of each. It might be objected that catechists, being members of the laity, cannot have a structured spiritual life like that of religious and that therefore they must content themselves with something less. But in every life situation, whether one is engaged in secular work or in the ministry, it is possible for everyone, priest, religious or lay person, to attain a high degree of communion with God and an ordered rhythm of prayer, including the finding of times of silence for entering more deeply into the contemplation of God. The more intense and real one's spiritual life is, the more convincing and efficacious will one's witness and activity be.
It is also important for catechists that they grow interiorly in the peace and joy of Christ, so that they may be examples of hope and courage (cf. Rom 12:12). For Christ "is our peace" (Eph 2:14), and He gives his apostles his joy that their "joy may be full" (Jn 15:11).
Catechists, therefore, should be bearers of paschal joy and hope, in the name of the Church. In fact, "the most precious gift that the Church can offer to the bewildered and restless world of our time is to form within it Christians who are confirmed in what is essential and who are humbly joyful in their faith".
9. Missionary zeal. In view of their baptism and special vocation, catechists who live in daily contact with large numbers of non-Christians, as is the case in mission territories, cannot but feel moved by Christ's words: "Other sheep I have that are not of this fold, and these too I must lead" (Jn 10:16); "go out to the whole world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mk 16:15). To be able to affirm, like Peter and John before the Sanhedrin, "we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20), and to realize with Paul the ideal of apostolic ministry: "the love of Christ overwhelms us" (2Cor 5:14), catechists should have a strong missionary spirit - a spirit that will be all the more effective if they are seen to be convinced of what they say and are enthusiastic and courageous, without ever being ashamed of the gospel (cf. Rom 1:16). While the wise ones according to this world seek immediate gratification, the catechist will glory only in Christ, who gives strength (cf. Col 1:29), and will wish to know and preach only "Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God" (1Cor 1:24). As the Catechism of the Catholic Church rightly affirms, from "the loving knowledge of Christ springs out the irresistible desire to announce, to 'evangelize' and to lead others to the 'yes' of the faith in Jesus Christ. At the same time, one also feels the need to know this faith ever better".
Catechists will try to be like the shepherd who goes in search of the lost sheep "until he finds it" (Lk 15:4), or like the woman with the lost drachma who would "search thoroughly until she had found it" (Lk 15:8). Their convictions should be a source of apostolic zeal: "I have made myself all things to all in order to save some at any cost. I do it all for the sake of the gospel" (1Cor 9:22-23; cf. 2Cor 12:15). And again St. Paul says: "Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel" (1Cor 9:16). The burning zeal of St. Paul should inspire catechists to stir up their own zeal, which should be the response to their vocation, and which will help them to preach Christ boldly and work actively for the growth of the ecclesial community .
Finally, one should not forget that the stamp of authenticity on the missionary spirit is that of the cross. The Christ whom catechists have come to know is "a crucified Christ" (1Cor 2:2); he whom they preach is "Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles" (1Cor 1:23), whom the Father raised from the dead on the third day (cf. Acts 10:40). They should be prepared, therefore, to live in hope the mystery of the death and resurrection of Christ in the midst of difficult situations, personal suffering, family problems and obstacles in their apostolic work, as they strive to follow the Lord on his own difficult road: "in my own body I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, the Church" (Col 1:24) .
10. Devotion to Mary. Through her own special vocation, Mary saw the Son of God "grow in wisdom, in age and in grace" (Lk 2:52). She was the teacher who "trained Him in human knowledge of the Scriptures and of God's loving plan for his people, and in adoration of the Father". She was also "the first of his disciples". As St. Augustine boldly affirmed, to be his disciple was more important for Mary than to be his mother. One can say with reason and joy that Mary is a "living catechism", "mother and model of catechists".
The spirituality of catechists, like that of every Christian and especially those involved in the apostolate, will be enriched by a deep devotion to the Mother of God. Before explaining to others the place of Mary in the mystery of Christ and the Church, they should have her present in their own soul and should give evidence of a sincere Marian piety, which they will communicate to the community. They will find in Mary a simple and effective model, for themselves and others: "The Virgin Mary in her own life lived an example of that maternal love by which all should be fittingly animated who cooperate in the apostolic mission of the Church on behalf of the rebirth of humanity".
The preaching of the word is always connected with prayer, the celebration of the eucharist and the building of community. The earliest Christian community was a model of this.
THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD!
As we celebrate the WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY, an internationally recognised day for the Praise and Glorification of the ensemble of all gallant actions, processes, and deeds of the entire "Spiritually" elevated Members Of The Fourth Estate of The Realm; Journalists, Quasi-Journalists, Bloggers, Philosophers, Activists, Comrades and all others who are sworn and dedicated to the unbiased welfare of The Masses and The Labour Force.
It is a day specially set aside to shower praises and pour encomiums on the heads of all heroic "officers cum foot soldiers" of the exceedingly large and indomitable "Communication Army."
It is a day reserved for stock taking, for appraisals, for evaluation and for "retreat."
The WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY is also a day that is uniquely designed to strategically lay down the groundwork to plan and map out solid tactics for a "Fresh and Lasting Offensive" against Tyrants, Cabals, Dictators, Desperate cum Power-Hungry Politicians, Corrupt Leaders, Imperialists, Neo-Colonialists, Theives, Armed-Robbers, Mafias, Organized Crime Gangs, Smugglers, Cultists, Rapists, Ritualists, Kidnappers, Saboteurs, Homosexuals, Paedophiles, Terrorists, Fundamentalists, Religious Fanatics, Suicide Bombers, Nuclear War-Heads and Weapons of Mass Destruction(WMD's) thirsty Rogue-Regimes, and indeed, the entire Enemies Of The Masses and their Secret Sponsors.
WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY is a day to "HONOUR", "ADORE", "WORSHIP", and annually "CELEBRATE" the VICTORY of the PEN over the SWORD. It is a day to ensure that the Freedom of the Press is continually guaranteed in places/countries/jurisdictions/regions where this #Freedom already exists. It is a day to campaign and agitate for the expansion of this "Freedom" in places where they are curtailed, restricted, or even repressed. It is a day to go back to the "drawing-board" in order to launch a powerful, revolutionary et finally liberating counter-attack against Tyrants, Dictators, Governments and Organizations that have forbidden, forbid, or are planning to forbid "FREE", "UNDIlUTED" and "UNCENSORED" access to data, information and knowledge.
It must be categorically stated that the totality of all the "Spiritually" elevated members of the Fourth Estate of The Realm are "Not For The Turning" until FREE and EQUITABLE access to #Information becomes an unhindered #RIGHT to all and sundry, and for the effective eternal #Liberation of the Masses from disease, poverty, oppression, bondage, intimidation, repression, surpression, unneccessary castigation, blackmail and ostracization of any guise, form or manner.
It is remarkable to note the tremendous contributions of the Good Old Town Crier, the Postal Carrier, the Radio, and the Television to #Communication in our world, but it is most dignifying to humbly accept, underline, and recognise the role of THE SOCIAL MEDIA in our time; the digital information era.
Kudos must also be duly given to such technological breakthroughs as The Internet, Personal Digital Assistants(PDA's), Smart Phones and not also forgetting the Old and Loyal Fax Machine(Facsimile) which is fast being replaced by the computer scanner all over the world.
The #Internet has given rise to fast growing and very popular Social Networking and Communication websites like #TWITTER, #FACEBOOK, #LINKEDIN, #YOUTUBE, #OPERA, and #GOOGLEPLUS.
Of a very important note also are websites that ultimately allow laymen to publish their experiences, feelings, thoughts, ideas, opinions, culture and religion by maintaining a free #WEBLOG which is now commonly and popularly referred to as a "BLOG.".
The BLOG is the single most important technological weapon available to the Masses after a reliable internet connection, a good Smart Phone, PDA, LAPTOP, or any other Computer related device(s) provided that there is a "Regular" supply of electricity. The BLOG allows the Common Man express all his intentions, wishes, prayers and more, without any form of Editting, Correction, or Reformulation except as done by him/her(The Blogger). Special mention should be made of Free "Professional" Blogging websites like #BLOGGER, #BLOGSPOT( uddinjoseph.blogspot.com ), #OPERA( my.opera.com/joddin ), #WORDPRESS, to mention just a few.
It would be nice to state the contradicting fact(La Presse va mal et La Presse va bien) that just as we should rejoice about this new Freedom of The Press and Information, we should also state the fact that some countries are taking Brand New Measures like Covert Data Collection of it's citizens "supposedly" private communication, and Open Source Intelligence(OSINT) of many Journalists, Press Women/Men, Cyber Activists, Online Critics and Bloggers all in the name of "National Security." A typical example is the recent award of a 40 Million Dollars Contract to #ElBIT SYSTEMS, an Isreali Inteligence Gathering and Online Espionage Company to spy and gather Data/Information/Intelligence on all the electronic communications of all Nigerians by The Federal Government of Nigeria. All progressive members of the Press and The Fourth Estate Of The Realm in general strongly condemn this calculated and rude attack on the privacy of Nigerians and demand immediate withdrawal of such unprovoked hostilities against the Common Man and the ensemble of The Masses by Anti-People Governments cum Imperialist Organizations all over the world.
All the enemies of progress, peace, security, development, equitable trade, good health, tranquility, stabilty and The #Masses in general should always be reminded that; Indeed, THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD!!!
VIVE LA LIBERTE DES IDEES! VIVE LA REVOLUTION DU PEUPLE! VIVE LA RENNAISSANCE! VIVE LE NIGERIA! VIVE L'AFRIQUE! VIVE TOUT LE MONDE!
MONSIEUR UDDIN JOSEPH OLUWASEGUN(JODDIN)
klout.com/uddinjoseph (KLOUT SCORE: 43)
uddinjoseph.blogspot.com
my.opera.com/joddin
twitter.com/uddinjoseph
It is a day specially set aside to shower praises and pour encomiums on the heads of all heroic "officers cum foot soldiers" of the exceedingly large and indomitable "Communication Army."
It is a day reserved for stock taking, for appraisals, for evaluation and for "retreat."
The WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY is also a day that is uniquely designed to strategically lay down the groundwork to plan and map out solid tactics for a "Fresh and Lasting Offensive" against Tyrants, Cabals, Dictators, Desperate cum Power-Hungry Politicians, Corrupt Leaders, Imperialists, Neo-Colonialists, Theives, Armed-Robbers, Mafias, Organized Crime Gangs, Smugglers, Cultists, Rapists, Ritualists, Kidnappers, Saboteurs, Homosexuals, Paedophiles, Terrorists, Fundamentalists, Religious Fanatics, Suicide Bombers, Nuclear War-Heads and Weapons of Mass Destruction(WMD's) thirsty Rogue-Regimes, and indeed, the entire Enemies Of The Masses and their Secret Sponsors.
WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY is a day to "HONOUR", "ADORE", "WORSHIP", and annually "CELEBRATE" the VICTORY of the PEN over the SWORD. It is a day to ensure that the Freedom of the Press is continually guaranteed in places/countries/jurisdictions/regions where this #Freedom already exists. It is a day to campaign and agitate for the expansion of this "Freedom" in places where they are curtailed, restricted, or even repressed. It is a day to go back to the "drawing-board" in order to launch a powerful, revolutionary et finally liberating counter-attack against Tyrants, Dictators, Governments and Organizations that have forbidden, forbid, or are planning to forbid "FREE", "UNDIlUTED" and "UNCENSORED" access to data, information and knowledge.
It must be categorically stated that the totality of all the "Spiritually" elevated members of the Fourth Estate of The Realm are "Not For The Turning" until FREE and EQUITABLE access to #Information becomes an unhindered #RIGHT to all and sundry, and for the effective eternal #Liberation of the Masses from disease, poverty, oppression, bondage, intimidation, repression, surpression, unneccessary castigation, blackmail and ostracization of any guise, form or manner.
It is remarkable to note the tremendous contributions of the Good Old Town Crier, the Postal Carrier, the Radio, and the Television to #Communication in our world, but it is most dignifying to humbly accept, underline, and recognise the role of THE SOCIAL MEDIA in our time; the digital information era.
Kudos must also be duly given to such technological breakthroughs as The Internet, Personal Digital Assistants(PDA's), Smart Phones and not also forgetting the Old and Loyal Fax Machine(Facsimile) which is fast being replaced by the computer scanner all over the world.
The #Internet has given rise to fast growing and very popular Social Networking and Communication websites like #TWITTER, #FACEBOOK, #LINKEDIN, #YOUTUBE, #OPERA, and #GOOGLEPLUS.
Of a very important note also are websites that ultimately allow laymen to publish their experiences, feelings, thoughts, ideas, opinions, culture and religion by maintaining a free #WEBLOG which is now commonly and popularly referred to as a "BLOG.".
The BLOG is the single most important technological weapon available to the Masses after a reliable internet connection, a good Smart Phone, PDA, LAPTOP, or any other Computer related device(s) provided that there is a "Regular" supply of electricity. The BLOG allows the Common Man express all his intentions, wishes, prayers and more, without any form of Editting, Correction, or Reformulation except as done by him/her(The Blogger). Special mention should be made of Free "Professional" Blogging websites like #BLOGGER, #BLOGSPOT( uddinjoseph.blogspot.com ), #OPERA( my.opera.com/joddin ), #WORDPRESS, to mention just a few.
It would be nice to state the contradicting fact(La Presse va mal et La Presse va bien) that just as we should rejoice about this new Freedom of The Press and Information, we should also state the fact that some countries are taking Brand New Measures like Covert Data Collection of it's citizens "supposedly" private communication, and Open Source Intelligence(OSINT) of many Journalists, Press Women/Men, Cyber Activists, Online Critics and Bloggers all in the name of "National Security." A typical example is the recent award of a 40 Million Dollars Contract to #ElBIT SYSTEMS, an Isreali Inteligence Gathering and Online Espionage Company to spy and gather Data/Information/Intelligence on all the electronic communications of all Nigerians by The Federal Government of Nigeria. All progressive members of the Press and The Fourth Estate Of The Realm in general strongly condemn this calculated and rude attack on the privacy of Nigerians and demand immediate withdrawal of such unprovoked hostilities against the Common Man and the ensemble of The Masses by Anti-People Governments cum Imperialist Organizations all over the world.
All the enemies of progress, peace, security, development, equitable trade, good health, tranquility, stabilty and The #Masses in general should always be reminded that; Indeed, THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD!!!
VIVE LA LIBERTE DES IDEES! VIVE LA REVOLUTION DU PEUPLE! VIVE LA RENNAISSANCE! VIVE LE NIGERIA! VIVE L'AFRIQUE! VIVE TOUT LE MONDE!
MONSIEUR UDDIN JOSEPH OLUWASEGUN(JODDIN)
klout.com/uddinjoseph (KLOUT SCORE: 43)
uddinjoseph.blogspot.com
my.opera.com/joddin
twitter.com/uddinjoseph
ON THE ISSUE OF RAPE BY PROJECT-ALERT.... A SHARP-UP CALL TO NAIJA GUYS!
In my opinion, RAPE is the worst form of a man's inhumanity to a woman.
A man who rapes a woman has obviously lost is ego and self-worth. A popular Naija proverb says that "There Are Many Fishes In The River." So, why should a sane, mentally sound, cognitively awake cum intellectually alert man rape a woman??? If for any reason best known to her she refuses to succumb to your implicit and explicit advances then it means that there was a mistake cum fundamental error in your Seduction techniques cum tactics. Why not "free" her and improve your "DON JUAN" Skills?
Even if a female friend that you have been eyeing or "Chyking" for a while comes to your house/room to visit you and for one reason or the other decides to spend the night... If in the course of spending the night in your room and even if you both sleep on the same bed... You "Jarunpa", roll on her, or attempt to make love to her and she refuses your passive and active advances about 3 times on the maximum, then you LET HER BE!
Case Closed!!! #LoBaTaN
A MAN OF HONOUR WILL NEVER RAPE A WOMAN.
I AM A MAN OF HONOUR. I WILL NEVER RAPE A WOMAN. #GbAm
@uddinjoseph twitter.com/uddinjoseph
uddinjoseph.blogspot.com
A man who rapes a woman has obviously lost is ego and self-worth. A popular Naija proverb says that "There Are Many Fishes In The River." So, why should a sane, mentally sound, cognitively awake cum intellectually alert man rape a woman??? If for any reason best known to her she refuses to succumb to your implicit and explicit advances then it means that there was a mistake cum fundamental error in your Seduction techniques cum tactics. Why not "free" her and improve your "DON JUAN" Skills?
Even if a female friend that you have been eyeing or "Chyking" for a while comes to your house/room to visit you and for one reason or the other decides to spend the night... If in the course of spending the night in your room and even if you both sleep on the same bed... You "Jarunpa", roll on her, or attempt to make love to her and she refuses your passive and active advances about 3 times on the maximum, then you LET HER BE!
Case Closed!!! #LoBaTaN
A MAN OF HONOUR WILL NEVER RAPE A WOMAN.
I AM A MAN OF HONOUR. I WILL NEVER RAPE A WOMAN. #GbAm
@uddinjoseph twitter.com/uddinjoseph
uddinjoseph.blogspot.com
DO YOU ACCEPT ALL SOCIAL MEDIA FRIEND REQUESTS? WHY AND WHY NOT?
One should not accept all friend requests received on social media especially for security reasons; some people spy on others via social media, others engage in Identity Theft, while some others are just there to read your thoughts and understand your personal psychology cum worldviews without ever "Liking", "Commenting", or "Re-Tweeting/Sharing" your messages. If I find anybody in this category, I block them and File a Report.
It is also not advisable to accept all requests even from people that you know because some might want to engage you in an exchange of words, slander you, or blackmail you.
On the other hand, a school of thought encourages accepting all Friend Requests that you recieve because it helps to enlarge your network, your influence and inevitably your KLOUT SCORE. The more the number of friends and followers that you have, the higher the likelyhood of your #FACEBOOK Posts, Comments and Articles getting "Liked", receiving "Positive Comments" and getting "Shared" also. The more the number of followers that you have on #TWITTER, the more you Tweets get "Favorited", "Re-tweeted", and "Replied".
The moral of the story is BALANCE. Balancing the desire to grow your online influence and invariably increasing your KLOUT SCORE with managing your "PRIVACY" issues on Social Media.
In conclusion, the Social Media involves all the tools, applications and software based directly or indirectly on the internet for a Community-Like or Quasi-Real communication environment using an Online Real-time(OLRT) access.
The use of Social Media as a tool for leverage to attain whichever goal is now so pervasive that your online presence could sometimes carry more clout than even your physical presence to your greatest advantage or disadvantage according to your objectives and the means you utilize to achieve or try to actualize them.
UDDIN JOSEPH OLUWASEGUN
klout.com/uddinjoseph (KLOUT SCORE: 43)
uddinjoseph.blogspot.com
@uddinjoseph
It is also not advisable to accept all requests even from people that you know because some might want to engage you in an exchange of words, slander you, or blackmail you.
On the other hand, a school of thought encourages accepting all Friend Requests that you recieve because it helps to enlarge your network, your influence and inevitably your KLOUT SCORE. The more the number of friends and followers that you have, the higher the likelyhood of your #FACEBOOK Posts, Comments and Articles getting "Liked", receiving "Positive Comments" and getting "Shared" also. The more the number of followers that you have on #TWITTER, the more you Tweets get "Favorited", "Re-tweeted", and "Replied".
The moral of the story is BALANCE. Balancing the desire to grow your online influence and invariably increasing your KLOUT SCORE with managing your "PRIVACY" issues on Social Media.
In conclusion, the Social Media involves all the tools, applications and software based directly or indirectly on the internet for a Community-Like or Quasi-Real communication environment using an Online Real-time(OLRT) access.
The use of Social Media as a tool for leverage to attain whichever goal is now so pervasive that your online presence could sometimes carry more clout than even your physical presence to your greatest advantage or disadvantage according to your objectives and the means you utilize to achieve or try to actualize them.
UDDIN JOSEPH OLUWASEGUN
klout.com/uddinjoseph (KLOUT SCORE: 43)
uddinjoseph.blogspot.com
@uddinjoseph
lundi 24 juin 2013
NOUS SOMMES JUSTE DE PASSAGE EN TERRE... WE ARE PASSERS-BY ON EARTH....
Nous sommes juste de passage en terre...
Le paradis est chez nous...
Pour y mériter, il faut de la persévérance, de l'espoir, de l'amour, et de la sagesse!
Dis-je la vérité? On ne sait jamais!
@uddinjoseph
Le paradis est chez nous...
Pour y mériter, il faut de la persévérance, de l'espoir, de l'amour, et de la sagesse!
Dis-je la vérité? On ne sait jamais!
@uddinjoseph
dimanche 23 juin 2013
BOKO HARAM IN LAGOS!
A Fulani man was arrested in Lagos, by a group of LASTMA officials for driving on the BRT lane and his car was fined #50,000.
Despite all begging and pleading, the LASTMA officials refused to release the car. "Okay, may I know where you are towing my car to?" the Fulani man asked.
"We re taking it to Alausa" replied one of d LASTMA officials. "Ha-ha-ha-ha" the Fulani bursted into laughter.
All d LASTMA officials were surprised and paid attention to him, wanting to know why
he's laughing. Immediately, the Fulani man brought out his phone began to speak this way "Abu Qaqa, Ina kwana?(Good morning in Hausa) "No sir? "Not less than 30mins before it will explode. The car has been arrested...
Only 20 out of those new bombs inside the car...
They are taking the car to the targeted destination...A lausa!
"I am coming back to Yobe alive now." Thank you sir.
Greet other faithfuls for me. He rounded off his imaginary call. When he looked back, no LASTMAN was in sight. He entered his car and sped off, saying " Shege, dan burouba.
@uddinjoseph
Despite all begging and pleading, the LASTMA officials refused to release the car. "Okay, may I know where you are towing my car to?" the Fulani man asked.
"We re taking it to Alausa" replied one of d LASTMA officials. "Ha-ha-ha-ha" the Fulani bursted into laughter.
All d LASTMA officials were surprised and paid attention to him, wanting to know why
he's laughing. Immediately, the Fulani man brought out his phone began to speak this way "Abu Qaqa, Ina kwana?(Good morning in Hausa) "No sir? "Not less than 30mins before it will explode. The car has been arrested...
Only 20 out of those new bombs inside the car...
They are taking the car to the targeted destination...A lausa!
"I am coming back to Yobe alive now." Thank you sir.
Greet other faithfuls for me. He rounded off his imaginary call. When he looked back, no LASTMAN was in sight. He entered his car and sped off, saying " Shege, dan burouba.
@uddinjoseph
THE ECONOMY; A FOOLS ARM-CHAIR ANALYSIS.....
The Economy is composed of all aspects and activities of human beings that involves earning and spending money or the exchange of any other means of storing value.
There are different ways by which the economy can be classified. We have the FORMAL and the INFORMAL ECONOMY, we have the LEGAL and the ILLEGAL ECONOMY, we have the OLD INDUSTRIAL ECONOMY and the NEW KNOWLEDGE/INFORMATION BASED ECONOMY.
Evidently, every activity to secure the means to put food on a man's table is an economic activity. A cursory look at how that means is acquired then determines under which classification such an activity belongs.
The father of economics, Adam Smith once rightly postulated that Human Needs are Insatiable. Hence, the need for more and more and the survival instinct of assuring what man already has is essentially the drive behind every economic activity. What some intellectuals refer to as the motivation that keeps the wheel of progress moving.
A good knowledge of economics and the economic situation cum environment is sine qua non to be considered as an intellectual in any modern society.
The economic playground is so large that it accomodates all and sundry, knowingly or unknowingly, without bias nor prejudice. All that matters, is most times a basic knowledge of arithmetic, a burning desire to succeed and a sound knowledge of your trade/profession.
The economy can be basically categorised into three;
1. Free Economy/Free Market: this is essentially what intellectuals refer to as a capitalist system. It is the type of economy that encourages that every form of enterprise or profit making activity should be left in the hands of private citizens and/or organizations. It is also known as the LAISSEZ-FAIRE Economy. Which is of french origin and means "allow to do/make". This system operates in most advanced economies or first world countries.
2. The Socialist/Collective Economy: in this system it is believed that natural thoughts and predisposition of man towards man is evil. Hence, a collective/common ownership of the means of production would ensure a continous availability of the basic needs of man to each person just enough to ensure his/her survival. It is derived from the communist political philosophy of "All For One and One For All" and from the Socialist political philosophy of "Be Your Brother's Keeper!"
3. Mixed Economy: this is an economic system where the government controls a sizeable portion of the economy and "privatizes" the rest or "liberalises" some sectors of the economy. It combines the best and worst of the two worlds. A typical example of a mixed economy system is Nigeria; the sleeping giant of Africa!
@uddinjoseph uddinj2005@yahoo.com
There are different ways by which the economy can be classified. We have the FORMAL and the INFORMAL ECONOMY, we have the LEGAL and the ILLEGAL ECONOMY, we have the OLD INDUSTRIAL ECONOMY and the NEW KNOWLEDGE/INFORMATION BASED ECONOMY.
Evidently, every activity to secure the means to put food on a man's table is an economic activity. A cursory look at how that means is acquired then determines under which classification such an activity belongs.
The father of economics, Adam Smith once rightly postulated that Human Needs are Insatiable. Hence, the need for more and more and the survival instinct of assuring what man already has is essentially the drive behind every economic activity. What some intellectuals refer to as the motivation that keeps the wheel of progress moving.
A good knowledge of economics and the economic situation cum environment is sine qua non to be considered as an intellectual in any modern society.
The economic playground is so large that it accomodates all and sundry, knowingly or unknowingly, without bias nor prejudice. All that matters, is most times a basic knowledge of arithmetic, a burning desire to succeed and a sound knowledge of your trade/profession.
The economy can be basically categorised into three;
1. Free Economy/Free Market: this is essentially what intellectuals refer to as a capitalist system. It is the type of economy that encourages that every form of enterprise or profit making activity should be left in the hands of private citizens and/or organizations. It is also known as the LAISSEZ-FAIRE Economy. Which is of french origin and means "allow to do/make". This system operates in most advanced economies or first world countries.
2. The Socialist/Collective Economy: in this system it is believed that natural thoughts and predisposition of man towards man is evil. Hence, a collective/common ownership of the means of production would ensure a continous availability of the basic needs of man to each person just enough to ensure his/her survival. It is derived from the communist political philosophy of "All For One and One For All" and from the Socialist political philosophy of "Be Your Brother's Keeper!"
3. Mixed Economy: this is an economic system where the government controls a sizeable portion of the economy and "privatizes" the rest or "liberalises" some sectors of the economy. It combines the best and worst of the two worlds. A typical example of a mixed economy system is Nigeria; the sleeping giant of Africa!
@uddinjoseph uddinj2005@yahoo.com
LIFE IS IN STAGES
Life is in stages... Life is truly step by step...
Life is really a process... Life is from simple to complex.
Happy Convocation to me! It all started like we were just going to give it a try... We tried it with all our best and we vainquished all obstacles, challenges and sworn adversaries.
It all seems like yesterday now... We started, we gave it our best and God crowned our dilligent efforts with success!
Every major achievement in life starts from a near feeble but continously sustained attempt... It pays to try. It pays to try and give it your best. It pays to persevere... It is always very profitable to strive to finish what we start.
The moral of the story is this; successs has a price.
Success: Preparation+Opportunity+Luck .
Voilà!
Thank you Jesus. Je Dieu remercie alors. Danke Gott.
Life is really a process... Life is from simple to complex.
Happy Convocation to me! It all started like we were just going to give it a try... We tried it with all our best and we vainquished all obstacles, challenges and sworn adversaries.
It all seems like yesterday now... We started, we gave it our best and God crowned our dilligent efforts with success!
Every major achievement in life starts from a near feeble but continously sustained attempt... It pays to try. It pays to try and give it your best. It pays to persevere... It is always very profitable to strive to finish what we start.
The moral of the story is this; successs has a price.
Success: Preparation+Opportunity+Luck .
Voilà!
Thank you Jesus. Je Dieu remercie alors. Danke Gott.
LIFE IS NOT FAIR.... IS IT?
Life... Life is not fair, it has never been fair and it would never be fair! I learnt that at an early age but still tried to give Life the confidence of the doubt... Alas, I learnt the hard and painful way in many different situations that Life is not fair! The lesson I have learnt so far is this: Give life your best and always strive to extract the best out of life at any available opportunity. Time and tide, wait for no man.
Do you think that I am right? Follow me on Twitter @uddinjoseph - twitter.com/uddinjoseph
Do you think that I am right? Follow me on Twitter @uddinjoseph - twitter.com/uddinjoseph
mardi 23 avril 2013
BOWER TOWER; A CRITIC'S VISIT...
The offensive smell cum stinking stench on the way to "LAYIPO" is really a Big Turn-Off.
Although many Numerous FOR-PROFIT Only Spritual Churches dot the untarred dusty trail leading to the Tower today, and even all around it, and they are still clearing more of the "Igbo Agala" or "AGALA FOREST" within which BOWER TOWER is situated to set up many more Mushroom Churches usually given an "OKE" or "ORI-OKE" appellation... The one that caught my attention the most was "Ori-Oke Se Gan Mi Dogo" which literarily means "THE MOUNT OF TURN MY SHAME TO GLORY." In spite of this unholy proliferation of spiritual churches around "LAYIPO", the stench is getting worse and even ten times more repulsive!
Shouldn't Nigeria Re-Value, Re-Package, Renovate and Re-align this rare tourist attraction in the heart of the "Evil Forest" in Ibadan to the best international standards?
The ONLY symbol of Modernity, Renaissance and Life in the Oke-Are Area in which LAYIPO; "The Twining/Whirling Tower" is located is the Good, Old, Catholic Minor Seminary, ST THERESA'S CATHOLIC MINOR SEMINARY, which strategically also jealously owns and guards a key historical monument; THE FIRST (CATHOLIC) CHURCH in Ibadan, which today is gladly et proudly referred to as their "OLD CHAPEL".
To say the least, a visit to BOWER TOWER would not be complete without "stealing" a quick glance at the "OLD CHAPEL" of Oke-Are Community. AD ALTARE DEI...
Monsieur Uddin Joseph(JODDIN)
@uddinjoseph
klout.com/uddinjoseph
Although many Numerous FOR-PROFIT Only Spritual Churches dot the untarred dusty trail leading to the Tower today, and even all around it, and they are still clearing more of the "Igbo Agala" or "AGALA FOREST" within which BOWER TOWER is situated to set up many more Mushroom Churches usually given an "OKE" or "ORI-OKE" appellation... The one that caught my attention the most was "Ori-Oke Se Gan Mi Dogo" which literarily means "THE MOUNT OF TURN MY SHAME TO GLORY." In spite of this unholy proliferation of spiritual churches around "LAYIPO", the stench is getting worse and even ten times more repulsive!
Shouldn't Nigeria Re-Value, Re-Package, Renovate and Re-align this rare tourist attraction in the heart of the "Evil Forest" in Ibadan to the best international standards?
The ONLY symbol of Modernity, Renaissance and Life in the Oke-Are Area in which LAYIPO; "The Twining/Whirling Tower" is located is the Good, Old, Catholic Minor Seminary, ST THERESA'S CATHOLIC MINOR SEMINARY, which strategically also jealously owns and guards a key historical monument; THE FIRST (CATHOLIC) CHURCH in Ibadan, which today is gladly et proudly referred to as their "OLD CHAPEL".
To say the least, a visit to BOWER TOWER would not be complete without "stealing" a quick glance at the "OLD CHAPEL" of Oke-Are Community. AD ALTARE DEI...
Monsieur Uddin Joseph(JODDIN)
@uddinjoseph
klout.com/uddinjoseph
jeudi 4 avril 2013
LA VIE EN ROSE!
VIVE LA LIBERTE DES IDEES!
VIVE LA REVOLUTIONS DES PEUPLES!!
VIVE LES LANGUES VIVANTES!!!
VIVE LE FRANCAIS!!!!
VIVE LA REPUBLIQUE!!!!!
VIVE L'AFRIQUE!!!!!!
VIVE TOUT LE MONDE!!!!!!!
@uddinjoseph
VIVE LA REVOLUTIONS DES PEUPLES!!
VIVE LES LANGUES VIVANTES!!!
VIVE LE FRANCAIS!!!!
VIVE LA REPUBLIQUE!!!!!
VIVE L'AFRIQUE!!!!!!
VIVE TOUT LE MONDE!!!!!!!
@uddinjoseph
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