Catechesis

The root of the word Catechesis means "to echo"

Our foundresses, St. Julie Billiart and Françoise Blin de Bourdon responded to the need to educate girls and women when they began the Sisters of Notre Dame 200 years ago. The years of the French Revolution had created a poorer class and the girls and women were eager for education. Julie and Françoise concentrated on a very practical education which would fit them for life. They saw the present as a preparation for eternal life. Teaching was really about teaching the faith and catechesis has always had a central place in the mission and ministries of the Sisters of Notre Dame.

The root of the word catechesis means ‘to echo,’ and it was Julie’s and Françoise’s mission that the faith would echo through the lives of all who were educated in schools run by the sisters. This work, described by Julie as the ‘greatest work on earth’, formed our past and continues to be part of our present. The way we do it has changed over the years. Today, it is much more about dialogue and common searching for the truth. It is no longer based on a ‘theology of conclusions’ where people are given the answers first while they wondered what the question might have been.The work of catechesis is about straining to listen to and recognise the echo of God’s goodness in lives which are often hopeless according to the world’s standards. The work of catechesis is about remembering that the community which we call the Church does not have all the answers but should also be engaged in humble dialogue with and in the world.