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Catechists deepen knowledge of being ‘a sacramental people’

Story and photo by LIZ QUIRIN
Messenger editor

“Catechetical Days” have long been an annual tradition in the diocese with speakers invited to gather catechists at different locations in the diocese to discuss topics of interest.

This year, Erin Hammond, campus minister at McKendree University in Lebanon is the featured speaker. She is speaking about the sacraments and what it means for Catholics to be a sacramental people.

“This is a major issue that separates us from other denominations,” Hammond said in an interview in her campus office recently.

An important part of being a sacramental people is to see the way liturgy and sacrament are linked.
The sacraments change people in ways they may not consciously notice.

“The grace and power of the sacraments is huge and working in our lives even if we don’t see it,” Hammond said.
During the morning session, Hammond invites catechists to talk about their roles, their struggles and their triumphs as they teach the young people of the diocese.

Hammond will conduct three more catechetical days in the diocese: March 5 at Mater Dei Catholic High School in Breese, March 26 at St. John the Baptist in Red Bud and April 2 at Holy Trinity in Fairview Heights.

For more information, please call Russell Peterson in the diocesan Office of Education at 235-9601, ext. 1042 or email rpeterson@diobelle.org.