The following are reflections and comments from members of the NACYML Leadership Team, newsletter team, and other Catholic leaders on the topic of what it means to be a catechist. Submissions are less than 140 characters to simulate Twitter posts.

Being a catechist means . . .

. . . everything we do teaches another and shows them what it is like to walk in the light. (Joan Martinez)

. . . cultivating faith in others by helping them learn about faith issues and grow in their relationship with God. *(ziggykt)

. . . a responsibility to share information for the purpose of transformation. Helping people learn more in order for them to be able to love more. *(deandiom)

. . . while you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart. (St. Francis of Assisi)

. . . experiencing and sharing God’s loving mission, and empowering others to do the same. (Joe Perdreauville)

. . . living out my baptismal calling to share the good news that was shared with me. *(chrisweber)

. . . to have a heart burning with love for Christ and the desire to share this love with others. It means to be committed to growing in faith. (Christina Lujan)

. . . walking with others to gain a deeper understanding of our Catholic identity by sharing our faith and faith stories. *(kimmacmillan)

. . . Jesus Christ in His infinite wisdom, used the words and idioms that were in use among those whom he addressed. You should do likewise. (St. Joseph Cafasso)

. . . leading young people closer to Christ through relationship so that they can be empowered disciples. *(Johnnyrinrin)

. . . if anyone comes to me, I want to lead them to him. (Edith Stein)

. . . means to teach and model the Catholic faith for others—formally and informally—in the classroom, at events, and in every day life. (Matthew Robaszkiewicz)

. . . one who knows more loves more, love follows knowledge. (Catherine of Sienna)

. . . it is always trying to figure out the best way to proclaim the good news to youth in this particular time and place in a way that conveys the profound truth that Jesus is risen—and that makes all the difference in their lives. (Cathy Becker)

. . . never having to say I am sorry. Or is that the answer to another question? *(genedavid)

. . . to be a person that loves their faith and is willing to share it with all in what they say and do. They are also willing to share their journey of faith. (Jim Flannagan)

. . . being the good news lived out for young people. (Faye Abbondanza)

. . . to bridge between experiences of life and language of God and faith. (Mary Mueller)

. . . to be someone willing to share their love of God and neighbor with others. (Katie Hayes)

. . . to bring the good news to our young people through the lens of their paradigm. (Robbie Anderson)

. . . being a witness and friend of Jesus who introduces and helps others to meet him, understand him, and befriend him. (mikepatin)*

. . . helping others recognize God’s presence in our every day lives through his creation, words, and deeds, and a sharing of our beliefs. (Jenn Ledonne)

. . . being someone who is willing to empty oneself so that others can see the light of Christ evident in not only what one teaches, but in how one lives. (Kyle Holtgrave)

* Contributions from actual Twitter user names. You are welcome to follow, or request to follow, any of these NACYML members on Twitter.