|
GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND GOAL OF ICAM FORMATION PROGRAM
The Institute of Catechetics of the Archdiocese of Manila
(ICAM) is the Archdiocesan Formation Center for Catechists,
Religion Teachers, and those who are engaged in the Ministry
of the Word of God in the schools and in Parish communities.
Its main goal is to offer Integral Faith Formation.
The Programs of the Institute of Catechetics are designed to cover four major
areas:
- The content of the Christian Message. (Theology)
- The nature of the human person and his/her milieu. (Christian Anthropology,
Psychology and Sociology)
- The role and function of the teacher / catechist in the process of transmission
of the Christian Message. (Methodology)
- Renewed understanding of the person of the teacher / catechist and his
/ her formation
- The Christian community as the origin, locus and goal of catechesis - the
Parish as an environment of catechesis (Means of Catechesis ) cf. GDC, ch
I, III
The content of the Christian Message. (Theology)
The Word of God: Source of Catechesis: “Catechesis will always draw
its content from the living source of the word of God transmitted in Tradition
and the Scriptures, for sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture make up a single
sacred deposit of the word of God, which is entrusted to the Church” (GDC,
94).
The study of Sacred Scriptures, Christian Witnessing, Christology, and the
Sacraments will highlight the purposeful continuity that appears in the process
of God’s Self-revelation (D.V., 2, 8). It is in this continuity and mutual
correlation that the Institute bases its theological synthesis. This way the
students are trained for a catechesis that is personalistic, biblical, liturgical,
Christocentric, community forming and truly Filipino in context. Permeating
this synthesis is an authentic spirituality steeped in the Gospel.
The gradual discovery of the total meaning of man’s life and death, freedom
and responsibility, the call to communion and mission become the theological
framework of the formation program.
The nature of the human person and his/her milieu. (Christian Anthropology,
Psychology and Sociology)
By including in the programs courses in anthropology, psychology and sociology,
the students are made aware that the basic yearnings and needs, the joys and
the hopes, the grief and anguish which are part of being human are also the
initial revelatory signs of God’s presence and actions in the life of
every person ( cf. G.S., 1, 11, 58).
“In pastoral care sufficient use should be made, not only for theological
principles, but also of secular findings, especially in the field of psychology
and sociology: in this way the faithful will be brought to a more mature living
of the faith “ ( GS,62).
“The social sciences provide an awareness of the socio-cultural
context in which man lives and by which he is strongly influenced. It is therefore
necessary that in the formation of catechists that there take place an “analysis
of the religious situation as well as of the sociological, cultural and economic
conditions to the extent that these facts of collective life can greatly influence
the success of evangelization”( GDC, 242)
Because the life of Faith as an answer to Divine Revelation is essentially
a personal relationship between God and man, (D.V. 2, 5) the whole curriculum
of the program of formation of the Institute lay particular emphasis on the
human person in his/her totality as a fully developing rational and social being,
ever more open to the needs of others and open to God’s eternal calling.
The role and function of the teacher / catechist in the process of
transmission of the Christian Message. (Methodology)
Because the Institute aims to serve contemporary society, the courses concerning
the transmission of the Message are attuned to the needs and goals of the people
of today, utilizing techniques and devices of communication, that, aside from
being meaningful to both teachers and students, involve them personally in the
mutual experience of gradual encounters with the Lord.
Integrated spirituality which is the first aim of renewed evangelization demands
a new way of formation for all members of the Christian community. Integral
formation is one that is characterized by the newness of its fervor, methods
and expressions. (cf. PCP II, 186-187).This entails an approach that is “participative,
dialogical, evocative, using stories, parables, and symbols so characteristics
of Asian methodology in teaching” (Ecclesia In Asia, 20).
The entire curriculum initiates the students into the task and process of renewed
integral faith formation vis-à-vis a spirituality of social transformation
that –
- integrates faith in God with justice and charity to one’s neighbor
- hope for the world to come with commitment to transform the world
- attitudinal change with change of ecclesial structures
- seeks the salvation of the total human person while keeping in mind the
primacy of his / her spiritual needs
- and interrelates dynamically communion and mission in the Church’s
life (cf. PCP II, 188).
Renewed understanding of the person of the teacher / catechist and
his / her formation
Renewal in evangelization and catechesis necessarily entails renewal in the
understanding of the person of the catechist / religion teacher which is inseparable
from his / her role. “The present catechetical moment being lived
by the Church requires catechists who can “integrate”, who are capable
of overcoming “unilateral divergent tendencies” and who are able
to provide a full and complete catechesis” (CT, 22, 52).
In view of the need to empower the laity towards a spirituality of social transformation
(cf. National Pastoral Consultation on Church Renewal) this renewed
understanding of the role of the catechist today, demands that their formation
emphasize the development of “new values, new skills new knowledge
and new methodologies”. Specifically, the catechist aside from being an
agent of social transformation - a strong advocate of the core values of justice
and peace in the society and integrity of creation is a facilitator of a real
encounter between God and the human person (learner). This renewed paradigm
of the role of the catechist should become a “second nature ” to
him / her. Crucial to the task of the catechist / religion teacher therefore,
is the facilitation of a personal encounter between God and the human person
which brings them (learners) closer to God and at the same time closer to the
realities of human life.
“It is a question of forming catechists for the need to evangelize
in the present historical context, with its values, challenges and disappointments.
To accomplish this task it is necessary for the catechists to have a deep
faith, a clear Christian and ecclesial identity,as well as a great social
sensitivity” ( GDC, 237).
The Christian community as the origin, locus and goal of catechesis
- the Parish as an environment of catechesis (Means of Catechesis ) cf. GDC,
ch I, III
“Without monopolizing or enforcing uniformity, the Parish community
must continue to be the prime mover and pre-eminent place for catechesis.
It must re-discover its vocation which is to be a fraternal and welcoming
family home, where those who have been baptized and confirmed become aware
of forming the People of God.” ( CT, 67)
Catechesis as an ecclesial act is the responsibility of the local ecclesial
community. The program hopes to inspire a strong sense of community building
and strong appreciation of the role of every catechist and every Christian to
help build a participatory Church in the local community.
Seen in the context of a participative Church / community of disciples (PCP
II, ) the Parish, the family, the school, Basic ecclesial communities, associations,
movements and groups of the faithful (cf. GDC, ch. 3) become the loci and means
of catechesis and at the same time consider themselves empowered partners in
the mission of evangelization and catechesis.
The end-product, therefore, that the Institute of Catechetics of the Archdiocese
of Manila aims to produce are catechists, religion teachers and Ministers of
the Word of God who are first of all well-balanced individuals in touch with
people and open to the signs of the times; persons deeply rooted in God through
prayer and the sacraments; mature Christians deeply imbued with Catholic Faith
and eloquent witnesses of the Risen Christ in the context of the Church and
the society today as illustrated in the catechist’s profile below:
Profile of a Catechist
Freely, lovingly and joyfully witnessing to God’s eternal love, a catechist
in the Archdiocese of Manila is a lay disciple with deep personal relationship
with Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, committed to serving all the members
of Christ’s Body – the church, especially the family, the young
and the poor through the ministry of catechesis.
Being Dimension
- Capable of growing into a wholesome person
- Nurtured in Pastoral Spirituality
- Evangelized and evangelizing
- Sustained by prayer and the sacraments
Knowing Dimension
- Grounded in Scriptures, Church’s teachings and Theology, towards
developing his/her synthesis of faith
- Able to dialogue with human sciences related to catechesis, the human person,
the society and community
- Immersed in social realities affecting the ministry
Doing Dimension
- Skilled in fostering healthy and harmonious relationship with others
- Equipped with communicating, animating and teaching skills
- Adept in organizing and facilitating faith communities
- Exercises collaborative ministry
- Skilled in Pastoral discernment
|
