This Wednesday we will begin our new youth religious education school year. As I write this we are still in need of catechist for the kindergarten and 5th grade. Why do I say “catechist” instead of teacher? Because a catechist is more than a teacher. They do teach but more than teach, they hand on the Faith, the Faith of the Church, and the faith they personally possess. St. John-Paul said that what the Church needs is not teachers but “credible witnesses” and if a teacher is to be effective, they must be a credible witness. The difference is a teacher might only pass on information. A witness gives testimony, just like a witness does in court. Every one of us bears witness in our world to something by our words or silence, our action or inaction. The “catechist” bears witness to their faith in Christ Jesus as taught by the precepts of our Catholic Faith. By our Baptism and Confirmation every one of us has been gifted to be a witness via the uniqueness of our individual personage, created by God. There is no exemption from this call. Every Christian is to be a witness for the Lord. So, have you prayed about this need we have for catechist. Not everyone is called to this just as not everyone is called to be a priest or religious. But some are. Is it you? Yours in Christ, Fr. Sid.