 Catholic Web Content Development Articles Series (7 of 7) - Describe
and Explain a Catechetical Teaching
Introduction
Another area of web content development that can be explored for a more
descriptive and explanatory presentation, is writing about a catechetical
teaching. Very important in this content development is a copy of the
Church's Catechism book. As we choose a subject to write about from the
book's Subject Index, we can note down all the references that refer
to the subject. Aside from the Catechism book, we can also refer
readers to other references that can help them get a layman's
understanding of the meaning of the catechetical teaching.
Sample study: On Christian holiness
There are many books on the subject of Christian holiness, or
Christian excellence - as many modern authors refer to the vocation
to holiness. If we want to study and write content on the catechetical
teaching of the Church on holiness, then we can list down all references
found in the Catechism and discover ways to present it simply and
clearly.
In the Definitive Edition of the Catechism, holiness and sanctity are
equated with each other, and it teaches this subject through the
following statements:
- all Christians are called to holiness (paragraphs 2013-14, 2028-29)
- it entails and requires asceticism (par. 2015)
- God wants man to be glorified through His Son (par. 2012)
- holiness is taught by the Church through the example of
Mary and the saints (par. 2030)
- the Holy Spirit manifests His holiness and continues the
work of salvation through the witness of the saints (par. 688)
- the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon mankind completes the
divine plan of salvation in the "end times" (par. 686)
- the saints by their holiness are our companions in prayer
(par. 2683-84)
- Mary and the saints are examples of those who lived the
Beatitudes (the gospel's "charter" of holiness)
- the Church points to Mary, the saints, and the spiritual
tradition celebrated in the liturgy as the means to fulfill
the Christian vocation to holiness (par. 2030)
- it is important to use a baptismal name taken from a
patron saint whose name expresses or embodies a Christian
virtue (par. 2156)
- belief in the doctrine of the communion of the saints (par. 946-59)
- faith in the intercession of the saints (par. 956)
- canonization as a confirmation of the power of the Spirit's
holiness in a saint (par. 828)
Good companion references for this form of web content
development
As we write on a catechetical teaching, we may learn of terms that
are not common to everyday thought. To know the meaning of these terms,
a Catholic dictionary can help greatly. For example, in the descriptions
on holiness given above, the terms that may need further understanding
are: "asceticism", "glorified/glorification", "the work of salvation",
"witness", "outpouring of the Holy Spirit", "divine plan", "end times",
"Beatitudes", "liturgy", "vocation", "Christian virtue", "communion of
the saints", "intercession", and "canonization".
All these terms have a meaning that is uniquely defined by our Catholic
tradition. To add more explanatory notes, we can also use the Catechism
itself to find other references to the meaning of these terms. In addition,
some Catholic dictionaries are also able to define these terms in a manner
that anyone can understand.
Reflecting on the catechetical teaching
There is already a lot of web content on the Catechism of the Catholic
Church online. So that our web content development may contribute unique
content, we can dedicate a paragraph or two that can help our readers
reflect on the meaning of the catechetical teaching in everyday life. As an
example, we can write a reflection about holiness and what it specifically
means in the way of life of a businessman or a policeman, a secretary or
an engineer, a doctor or college student. When we include an element
of spirituality in our web content development, then we are helping
others see the catechetical truth in the light of a way of life,
a state of life and vocation.
Summary and conclusion
Developing content on a catechetical teaching is a learning process -
both for the web content developer himself, and for his readers. One
very important learning in all this writing activity is that
the human mind cannot fully comprehend the mystery of God and His divine
truths. We can have a glimpse of this truth through the revelation
of the Father in the Son and in the light of the Holy Spirit, but it
is the gift of faith and other spiritual means, that can lead us to
assent in filial trust to all the teachings that are presented by the
Church in the Catechism. If we put our heart to understanding what
is taught by the Catechism, then as we develop content on a doctrine
of Christian truth, we can also help others deepen their knowledge, and
increase their practice of the catechetical teaching in their
Christian lives.
Related resources
Dennis Emmanuel Cabrera
Web Developer Methods for Catholics
www.c-web-developer.net
My Main Catholic Blog
www.c-internet-mission.net
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