The Catechetical Mission of the Church and Family

Father Rich Tomkosky of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown explained that parents and families serve as the primary teachers of faith for children and young people. While Catholic schools and religious education classes provide supplements, they do not substitute for the lived faith found within a family.

Tomkosky noted that effective catechesis must engage the mind, heart, and will to reach the whole person. While intellectual knowledge regarding Jesus, the Blessed Trinity, the sacraments, and the moral life is a central component, it must be presented systematically to students in Catholic schools, religious education classes, or homeschooling environments.

To teach the faith effectively, Tomkosky said priests, sisters, parents, catechists, and teachers should rely on the Catechism of the Catholic Church as the standard for instruction rather than personal opinions.