Janaan Manternach and Carl J. Pfeiffer offer catechists an important reminder that faith begins with life. In the 1960s, while serving as Assistant Directors at the National Confraternity of Christian Doctrine Center, they were asked to develop a new catechetical series to replace the widely used Baltimore Catechism. Their response helped move Catholic religious education toward a more experiential and life-centered approach.

Through their Life, Love, Joy series and their many other writings and workshops, Manternach and Pfeiffer invited children and families to reflect on their own experiences in dialogue with the faith of the Catholic tradition. Rather than beginning with simply memorizing answers, they encouraged learners to discover how God's presence and activity could be recognized in the realities of their everyday lives.

For catechists, their approach offers an enduring lesson: we do not teach faith by separating it from life. We help people make connections between the story of their lives, the story of Scripture, the story of the Church, and God's ongoing story among us.

They challenge catechists to become attentive listeners—to the questions, joys, struggles, relationships, hopes, and experiences that learners bring with them. These experiences are not distractions from catechesis; they can become the very places where faith comes alive.

Manternach and Pfeiffer also remind us that catechesis is a dialogue. The catechist is not simply the person who possesses all the answers. The catechist creates space where learners can wonder, question, reflect, listen to the tradition, and recognize God's presence in their own lives.

Reflections to Hold, Pray, and Live

• How do I help learners connect faith with what is happening in their everyday lives?

• Where might I be tempted to give answers too quickly rather than invite deeper reflection?

Author:

Sister Janet Schaeffler, OP
Member, NCCL Board of Directors

Her book, SAINTS & MENTORS for Catechists: 41 Models of Faith to Support and Guide You, can be purchased from Twenty-Third Publications
[GET YOUR COPY HERE]

Learn more about Janet and her publications at https://www.janetschaeffler.com/