ECHO
A Monthly Resource for Teaching the Faith 7.22
"Liturgical catechesis aims to initiate people into the mystery of Christ (It is 'mystagogy.') by proceeding from the visible to the invisible, from the sign to the thing signified, from the 'sacraments' to the 'mysteries.' Such catechesis is to be presented by local and regional catechisms."
Catechism of the Catholic Church (1997) #1075
Shaped by the Source and Summit
The Eucharist is a memorial to the sacrifice of Christ. Here are some excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church that help us to understand that!
Who is the minister for the celebration of the Eucharist?
CCC 1348 All gather together. Christians come together in one place for the Eucharistic assembly. At its head is Christ himself, the principal agent of the Eucharist. He is high priest of the New Covenant; it is he himself who presides invisibly over every Eucharistic celebration. It is in representing him that the bishop or priest acting in the person of Christ the head (in persona Christi capitis) presides over the assembly, speaks after the readings, receives the offerings, and says the Eucharistic Prayer. All have their own active parts to play in the celebration, each in his own way: readers, those who bring up the offerings, those who give communion, and the whole people whose "Amen" manifests their participation.
CCC 1411 Only validly ordained priests can preside at the Eucharist and consecrate the bread and the wine so that they become the Body and Blood of the Lord.
What are the essential and necessary elements for celebrating the Eucharist?
CCC 1412 The essential signs of the Eucharistic sacrament are wheat bread and grape wine, on which the blessing of the Holy Spirit is invoked and the priest pronounces the words of consecration spoken by Jesus during the Last Supper: "This is my body which will be given up for you. . . . This is the cup of my blood. . . ."
In what way is the Eucharist a memorial of the sacrifice of Christ?
1362 The Eucharist is the memorial of Christ's Passover, the making present and the sacramental offering of his unique sacrifice, in the liturgy of the Church which is his Body. In all the Eucharistic Prayers we find after the words of institution a prayer called the anamnesis or memorial.
Praying All Ways and ALWAYS!
Family Connection
Below, is an interesting reflection from the website Beliefnet. It focuses on the beauty of seashells. If you are at the beach this summer, consider gathering a few for your class. Invite them to take one home and place it in a special place to remind them that beauty always exists, even in a chaotic and uncertain world! This can be a nice reminder for families and a talking point for further conversation about God's presence and gentle reminders in the world around us!
Keep Learning!
JULY Catechetical Highlights:
Hallow
Reimagine the Examen
Reimagining the Examen is a free app that offers a unique prayer experience thatโs tailored to your needs and mood. Each Examen, based on St. Ignatiusโs 500-year-old prayer, guides you through a stimulating reflection on your day, helping you invite God into the corners of your daily life.
AMEN
A free app from the Augustine Institute that offers daily Mass readings; meditations for anxiety, mercy, courage, healing, growth, comfort; and daily prayers.
If you are reading a paper copy, you can access our google drive at https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1FdofDF6MAr9aT3vD7k7Cb0l0OnIp_u-P
The Office of Evangelization and Catechesis
Debtor in Possession
Email: leslie.barkin@dor.org
Website: oec.dor.org
Phone: (585)328-3210