Every generation of ministers, it seems, tries to come up with a new catchphrase to capture the true meaning of catechesis. The church of my childhood was committed to a conventional instructional model of catechesis that emphasized "knowing, loving, and serving God" -- with a clear emphasis on knowing. In the 1970s we talked about "community, message, and service."

Today, thanks to the recovery of the catechumenal model of formation in the RCIA and publication of the General Directory for Catechesis, we talk about catechesis as "initiation into the community of faith" and identify as the goal catechesis the formation of disciples of Jesus. Reflecting these developments, the catchphrase of the day appears to be "whole community catechesis." But veteran catechists will recognize this as a new name for a very old model -- literally one as old as the church herself.

Along with finding new slogans for their ministry, catechetical leaders are commonly tempted (often, to be candid, with a strong assist from publishers) to create programs that claim to achieve all the goals of catechesis. New one-size-fits-all curriculums promise simple, foolproof methods, measurable goals and objectives, assurances that all members of the community will be on the same page (in the case of lectionary-based programs, literally so), and guaranteed results. Again, veteran catechists, familiar with the messy world of church and parish life, learn to be suspicious of such lofty claims.

One of my favorite metaphors for catechesis is a big family reunion. Anyone who has tried to organize and pull one off might develop a facial tic as they recall the challenges involved. What are the characteristics of a successful family reunion, the ingredients that make it work . . . or not? And how might those relate to a sound and balanced understanding of what we now call whole community catechesis? A successful reunion needs:

• Awareness of and respect for the uniqueness of all who will attend -- the good and always grateful folks as well as the two aunts who never get along, Uncle Chester with the drinking problem, kids who will inevitably fight and then make up -- as Zorba the Greek put it, "the whole catastrophe." We're talking here about a very real, not make-believe, family . . . and church.
• A wide variety of planned activities -- a little something for everyone, options for all ages, aptitudes, and attitudes, a kind of "planned chaos"
• Something special for special people -- awareness of and preparation for both the tender (a wheelchair-bound child) and the troubling (good old Uncle Chester)
• Lots of free and unplanned time and openness to surprises -- recognition that the most fun and the greatest memories will come during unplanned and un-programmed moments
• A varied menu for very different tastes -- not too fancy, prepared with care and presented with simplicity
• Organizers who are relaxed, flexible, and ready to enjoy the ride -- with no need for control or desire to have everyone move in lockstep
• Realistic expectations -- no false hope that those who attend will be so thrilled with the whole affair that they cheerfully volunteer to organize the next reunion. Some people lead, others follow, some serve, others enjoy the fruits of that service. It will always be so.
• And permeating it all, deep trust in the life-giving act of simply gathering folks who share some common connection and care for one another, confident that good things will happen if we just get out of the way and let the Spirit work.

One caution: The catechetical metaphor of the family reunion doesn't hold up well in one respect. It suggests a "big deal," a major production. But good catechesis is all about the daily living together of fractured human beings, some of them trying mightily to live out the Gospel, others stumbling around in their ignorance and sin, and still others grumbling from the sidelines about everything and everyone. We're a very human church on our way to the Reign of God, and we've got a long way to go.

Silver Burdett Ginn Religion has for a very many years worked to serve that very human and very diverse church. No magic formulas. No one-size-fits-all illusions. They know that catechesis is a messy, complex, frustrating, funny, life-giving and occasionally life-sapping enterprise -- just like any good family. Welcome to the reunion!