By Susan Gately - 22 June, 2017
Recognition – Catechism enthusiasts get certificates after three-year course on the Catechism of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Kilmore.
The Catechism is a wonderful treasury of wisdom and spirituality as well as providing the reliable reference point for understanding and appreciating the Catholic faith, said the Bishop of Kilmore Most Reverend Leo O’Reilly, as he recently presented certificates to 42 people who undertook a three-year study of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
This is the first time such a comprehensive course of study over such a long period has been undertaken in the diocese, with students meeting weekly during term time at two locations – Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim and Cavan town. The participants came from 18 parishes across the Diocese of Kilmore and one from the Diocese of Meath.
At the ceremony in the Conaty Chapel of the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre, 11 participants received a Certificate in Studies of the Catechism through the Maryvale Institute in Birmingham. These students had done the formal course, submitting regular assignments to Maryvale.
In addition, the Bishop presented 31 other participants with a diocesan certificate of attendance for having undertaken a personal study of the Catechism over the three-year period.
Congratulating the students on their achievement, Bishop O’Reilly commended them on undertaking the course “with such diligence and enthusiasm”.
He noted that over the course of the three years, the participants had studied and reflected on core aspects of the Catechism: Faith & Revelation; the Creed: God the Father; The Creed: God the Son and God the Holy Spirit; Liturgy & the Sacraments; Introduction to Morality; The Ten Commandments; and Prayer.
Seán Coll, Director of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Cavan town, said he hoped that some of the participants would get involved in delivering a course based on Amoris Laetitia in the run-up to the World Meeting of Families in 2018, but he stressed that this was not the purpose of running the catechism course.
“It was seen as an opportunity for the participants on their own faith journey, to get a greater sense of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and what it contains. We weren’t looking at it in terms of propelling people into bigger roles,” he told CatholicIreland.net. Having said that, he added, “I would say that some will get involved in the Amoris Laetitia (the Joy of Love) course when the time comes.”
Mr Coll has been the Director of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre for the past four years. “We see ourselves as a resource for the diocese, for parishes, priests and lay people,” he said. “We help people to learn more about faith and try to be a place of welcome for all and a centre of Christian spirituality.”
