As I approach my fourth anniversary at Our Lady of Peace this August, I can’t help but reflect on how much my life has changed since my first day on the job. I have grown in my faith and understanding of God in ways I never could have imagined. My relationship with Christ has become even more central to my life than it was when I first sent my application to Fr. Ellis and the search committee.
One aspect of my journey that ties directly to the work we do at OLP is my understanding of the Kerygma—not only what it means, but also its incredible ability to summarize our Catholic faith in a simple and memorable way. The Kerygma is a Greek word that means “preaching” or “proclamation”. The version I share with parishioners does not replace 2,000 years of theology, tradition, and teaching. Rather, it gives us a powerful tool for sharing with others why we believe in and follow Jesus Christ.
I often tell the families I work with in Baptism preparation that if they only remember one thing from our time together, I hope it is the Kerygma. Everything we believe and celebrate as Catholics flows from this foundational message. As you continue your faith journey with us, I hope these four truths will transform your life and become something you hear often and come to know by heart:
God Created
God created the world. Consider the vastness of the universe, the beauty of creation, and the countless living things that fill our world. Everything that exists came into being because of God's love and creative power.
Sin Entered
Sin enters the world thanks to Adam and Eve and their turning away from God, being tempted by the devil, and ultimately disobeying God. In doing this, they closed the gates of Heaven and separated themselves and those who come after them from God.
Jesus Saves
Jesus Christ was sent to EARTH to Save us. God loves us so much that he sent his Son!
We Respond
The Gospel always invites a response. Responding means placing our faith in Jesus and committing ourselves to a deeper relationship with Him. It means praying regularly, studying our faith, participating in the life of the Church, and receiving the sacraments frequently.
The Kerygma is not simply a message to understand; it is a message to live.
Who can you share the Kerygma with today?
Nick Cichowicz
Director of Faith Formation
