The fundamental task of the entire Church, from the beginning of its existence, has been to deepen the religious awareness of the faithful through teaching. It is also known that the influence of religious knowledge on faith is directly proportional to the general level of culture. This means that a higher level of secular education, participation in culture and involvement in building a modern society.
Rev. Dr. Zdzisław Lec, our correspondent from Bavaria, in the age of science and technology, calls for a deepening of religious knowledge. What did instruction look like in the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help from the catechetical perspective?
Catechetical instruction had been provided since 1970, that is, from the establishment of the Independent Pastoral Centre at the church undergoing renovation. In three rooms suitably prepared for this purpose, located in the church building, and two rooms in branch centres organized in private homes, religious instruction in 1970 covered 2,061 children and young people from the entire parish. Instruction was provided by priests working in pastoral ministry, one religious priest, and the Adorers and Elizabethan Sisters. Secondary-school, vocational-school and out-of-school young people received one hour of catechesis per week, while primary-school children had two hours of religious instruction per week.
Some young people nevertheless remained without catechetical instruction because of various extracurricular activities. Therefore, on 21 January 1971, an additional catechetical meeting was introduced on Sundays after the youth Mass. The number of people not covered by instruction decreased and in 1972 amounted to 249 primary-school children and 218 secondary- and vocational-school students, whereas in 1970, 382 children and 452 young people did not attend catechesis. Efforts were made to reach indifferent young people and children by sending notices to parents, speaking with them during house visits and giving sermons addressed to particular groups.
The catechetical year began and ended in accordance with the school year and did not change during the period of pastoral house visits.
Catechetical meetings were held at all levels in accordance with the recommendations of the Polish Episcopate. In the 1976/77 catechetical year, religious instruction was attended by 110 preschool children, 1,301 primary-school children, 605 secondary- and vocational-school students, and 29 out-of-school young people. The small number of out-of-school young people attending catechesis may have resulted from reluctance associated with exhaustion from work, as well as from a certain indifference.
To deepen religious awareness, catechists maintained ties with the families of those receiving instruction. This was done through conferences for the fathers and mothers of children preparing for their first confession and Holy Communion, as well as through parents’ meetings combined with lectures on educational topics.
A particular form of catechesis is preparing people for conscious participation in the sacraments. The time devoted to preparation for the sacrament of baptism usually included two catechetical sessions, during which the natural and godparents learned about the principles of upbringing and the liturgy of the Church’s first sacrament. Confirmation, also known as the sacrament of Christian maturity, required catechesis lasting one year. It was conducted by assistant priests together with the parish priest every Sunday during the school year.
Children prepared for the sacraments of the Eucharist and Penance for three years, beginning in the first grade of primary school. In the final months preceding their first confession and Holy Communion, attention was paid to the liturgical elements of these sacraments.
Catechesis preparing people for the sacrament of marriage covered both theological subjects and issues concerning responsible fatherhood and motherhood. The theological topics were presented by pastoral workers, while issues related to married and family life were discussed by women working in the Family Counselling Service, during two meetings per week. Before receiving the sacrament of marriage, engaged couples attended 12 instructional sessions over a period of three months.
Ultimately, it can be said that catechetical activity in the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Bolesławiec in the years 1970–1983 was characterized by the strong commitment of the teaching staff and the catechized groups of children, young people and adults, contributing to a deepening of religious awareness and spirit.