That was my understanding, which is why I thought your answer was somewhat odd, but in the cotext in which you explain it is quite understandable.
Maybe HarleyD would grace us with the knowledge what Reformed catechis is all about. I promise I will have an open mind, at least for a while. :)
I'm sorry, some of these conversations have been running but I haven't had much of a chance to view all.
To be up front I've never been involved with a Protestant church that provide "catechism" to my knowledge. Nor do I fully understand what precisely Protestant catechism is unless it means the leader reading a particular part of scripture and the congregation responding. I do know that it exists but I'm not sure what it is.
Perhaps, as our friend jokus pointed out it is instruction in the faith. There are some churches, such as the Baptists, that requires you to go through some classes prior to baptism to learn the fundamentals of the Baptists. The Baptists take baptism very seriously and if you are baptized by them you become a Baptist (while we support the church my wife and I have never joined). My son had to go through one of these classes, meet with the pastor, etc. They're certainly not to the extend of a 9-12 month course. I can understand why the Catholics would have a party when it was over.