Cardinal of Jerusalem to catechism teachers: if faith is not significant in their lives, it will not be in their students

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, told Catechism teachers in Galilee that if faith is not significant in their lives, then it will not be in the lives of their students either.

This was indicated by the purple at the Mass he celebrated for Catechism teachers in the Patriarchy Schools in Galilee, officiated in the Church of San José in the town of Shafa’amr on Saturday, September 27.

According to the Latin patriarchy of Jerusalemin the Eucharist they concelebrated the local pastor, P. Ramez Twal, and Fr. Ibrahim Shomali, director of the Patriarchy Schools in Galilee.

The latter told attendees that “today, for the first time, we celebrate this special occasion that gives our schools a spiritual dimension, the very foundation of our educational mission.”

“The presence of his beatitude The cardinal among us, today embodies the presence of the first teacher for all of us, Jesus Christ,” he added.

The homily of the patriarch of Jerusalem

In his preaching, Cardinal Pizzaballa stressed that “the role of the catechism teacher is no less important than that of any other teacher. It entails a unique mission that requires facing challenges to preserve our Christian identity and deepen the consciousness of our children.”

After pointing out that the teaching of the Catechism seeks to train the new generations in faith, hope and love, the cardinal stressed that “catechesis means finding Jesus and loving him more. As teachers, you are witnesses of this faith; if it is not alive and significant in their own lives, it will not be significant for their students.”

“They are called to see each student and recognize their dignity and courage, unlike the rich man who did not see Lazarus,” the cardinal encouraged referring to the Gospel about the rich Epulon who banished daily and did not share what he had with poor Lázaro who, when he died he is saved, while the wealthy man does not.

Pizzaballa also thanked all the teachers for their dedication and service to the mission of the Church, encouraging them to continue spreading the Gospel and the teachings of Jesus with his students.

At the end of the Mass the professors renewed their baptismal promises and received a copy of the Bible, to mark a new beginning in their educational and spiritual path of transmitting faith and witnessing it for others, especially its students.