ST. PATRICK RELIGIOUS EDUCATION at 71 Central Street, Stoneham, MA 02180 US - Goal of Religious Education

The late Pope John Paul II stated in his beautiful apostolic exhortation "On Catechesis in Our Time" that the definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ. In December 2004, the Vatican approved the National Directory for Catechesis which was developed by the United States Bishops. This document described six tasks that make catechesis authentic and complete. The goal of St. Patrick's Office of Religious Education is to implement the following tasks:
1) to promote knowledge of the faith
2) to promote meaningful participation in liturgical worship and the sacramental life of the Church
3) to integrate moral formation into a Christian way of life
4) to teach Christians how to pray with Christ, in Christ, and in communion with the Church
5) to initiate the Christian into the life of the local church community and foster active participation in the mission of the Church
6) and to promote a missionary spirit that prepares Christians to witness to Christ in society.

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