HADDONFIELD – In appreciation of parish religious educators and Catholic school teachers, the Diocese’s chief catechist expressed thanks, promising that they are not alone in their mission to bring the Gospel of Jesus to all generations.
“I want you to know that my job is to support, encourage and affirm what you are doing. You share [this] ministry with me,” Bishop Dennis Sullivan said during an evening of reflection for catechists held Oct. 1 at Paul VI High School.
In a “very confused, rampant world culture … prominent in social media, music, sports and the lives of entertainers, [ with] too many ignorant of religious language and history,” a “culture of death,” and “no place for God,” he urged them to bring light to the darkness.
“Your ministry is of great importance to the Church,” he said.
In addition to Bishop Sullivan’s keynote talk, almost 300 catechists attended the evening event, which included a cocktail hour, fellowship and presentations from Richara Krajewski, pastoral associate in Saint Raymond of Penafort Catholic Church in Philadelphia, and Jimmy Spilker, area director of Young Life Camden County, a faith outreach organization for youth.
Krajewski praised the catechists, calling them committed to their ministry “because [you] are people who have received the revelation of Jesus Christ,” said yes to his call and are willing to be “a witness of hope.”
She echoed the words of Pope Francis, who once said that catechists “keep the memory of God alive.”
“Without you, the students are missing something,” she continued. “The students see your gift, your insights from your walk with Christ. Your students need that, [which] only you can give.”
Spilker spoke about each person’s “incredible mission” of kerygma, the proclamation of salvation through Jesus Christ. “At the heart of catechesis is a person, and that person is Jesus Christ.”
Referencing the Gospel story in which villagers opened up the roof of a dwelling to get to Jesus, Spilker challenged all to reflect on “what do we have to break through … to be able to get [students] to encounter Christ?”
Fear, anxiety, distraction and skepticism can keep others from God, he said, but teachers must press forward, confident in the Gospel truth. “This is go time. We have a great opportunity.”
The evening also included Paul VI students acting as greeters and ushers, and time for worship and song led by Mike Bedics, diocesan director of the Office of Worship, and his wife, Molly.
At the end of the night, South Jersey’s catechists were ready to return to their classrooms, refreshed and renewed for their ministry.
“Events like this enrich everybody,” said Sister Michele DeGregorio, F.M.I.J., principal of Woodbury Heights’ Saint Margaret Regional School. “We enjoyed the fellowship of each other, sharing our thoughts and ideas.”
From Christ the Redeemer Parish in Atco, sixth-grade religious education teacher Bill McCauley, in his first year, appreciated Bishop Sullivan going from table to table during the cocktail hour, interacting with all invited. He said he felt motivated going forward to “share the message of the Gospel in such a confused world.”
Fellow catechist Andrea Rybacki, who instructs third and fourth grades in Christ the Redeemer and also teaches second grade at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Regional School, Berlin, acknowledged that “it can be challenging for a catechist,” but felt invigorated after a night with the Bishop.
“It’s nice to know he supports us and that he’ll be there for us,” she said.
Kicking off the evening’s festivities were Donna Ottaviano-Britt, diocesan head of the Secretariat for Pastoral Outreach; Dr. Bill Watson, diocesan head of the Secretariat for Catholic Education and superintendent of Catholic schools; and Mary Lou Hughes, diocesan director of the Office of Religious Education for Youth and Adults, all of whom guide and work with the catechetical leaders throughout the Diocese.
“This night comes straight out of the heart of Bishop Sullivan, to let catechists know how important they are, and how grateful he is,” Ottaviano-Britt said.
In this past year of pandemic, educators have “rallied like great warriors, loved and witnessed. Their lives shout the Gospel,” she continued.
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