This book is intended to help catechetical leaders stay abreast of scholarship on Scriptures, students, and informed theology. The themes of its essays vary widely--from the vision of educating for the reign of God to the practicalities of how to constitute a parish committee for catechesis. The 10 essays are divided into 3 parts. Part 1, "The Foundations of Catechesis," examines the purposes of Christian catechesis, the principles of catechesis from ecclesial documents, and the processes of catechesis. Part 2, "The People of Catechesis," discusses the parish and family as catechist, the participants in catechesis, and the person of the catechist. The last section, "The Realities of Catechesis," explores the qualities and competencies of the catechetical leader and includes details on planning and improving parish catechesis, practicalities of catechesis, the general directory for catechesis, boards of education, canon law, religious-education handbooks, gangs and religious education, due process, privacy rights, the place of liturgy in catechesis, elements of catechetical planning, sources of catechetical leadership, the art of loving, and obstacles to a balanced spirituality. It is hoped that this book will provide catechists an informed and insightful treatment of all major aspects of their ministry. (RJM)