Catholic faith formation is a form of evangelization. Evangelization is the fundamental mission of the Church. It describes all the ways the Church—including clergy, religious, and all the baptized faithful—teaches, celebrates, and witnesses to the gospel message with the aim of conforming hearts and minds to Jesus Christ.

One could say that faith is the great gift of evangelization; and the appreciation of faith is the great gift of catechesis. The word catechesis comes from the Greek word meaning “to echo.” Catechesis is the process of forming people as witnesses of Jesus Christ. Catechesis builds on the faith received through systematic instruction. It is a deepening of the mysteries of the faith. Catechesis is a life-long process of initial conversion, formation, education, and on-going conversion. Catechesis takes many forms, including the catechesis of children, families, and adults.