Catechetical Mission
St. Sylvester Parish

The Office of Religious Education/C.C.D of St. Sylvester Parish, located in the Brentwood Borough of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, exists in the light of the Gospel Teaching of Matthew, the great commission of Christ, to "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you," (Matthew 28: 16-20).

Through prayers, instruction, and Christian Witness, this office responds to the needs of all assisting in the formation journeys of each person, so that Faith in Christ becomes living, conscious, and active. This process is truly meant to enable all persons from birth to death to be in touch with, live in communion with, and experience the intimacy of our God. As members of the Body of Christ, all are called in "Catechesis" to accomplish this through the "movements" of the Word, Worship, Community, and Service.

The "office," itself, consists of one Director of Religious Education/C.C.D., six volunteer office workers, sixty-two volunteer catechists, and countless other supportive staff and helpful parents; all who are gifts to the parish, responding to God's call. For more information toward Catechetical Formation as in C.C.D., the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, Christian Initiation for Children, and Sacramental Preparation, please contact Lorie Uhlmann at 412-881-4142.

Principles, Policies, and Guidelines

Diocese of Pittsburgh
Section A: "Principle"

(page 28)

"Parents first share life with their children and initiate into the life of Christ and His Church through the celebration of Baptism. Thus, the Church reminds parents of their primary responsibility to nurture their children in the Life of Faith which the children first received from them.

The home is the first school of Christian life and a school for human enrichment (GS 48). In this domestic Church one learns love, the joy of work, perseverance, how to forgive, how to pray and to participate in divine worship by offering one's life.

'They (parents) bear witness to this responsibility (to educate their children) first by creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and disinterested service are the rule. The home is well suited for education in the virtues (CCC 2223)."