PENNSAUKEN – During Mass on Catechetical Sunday, Father Edward Friel estimated how many lives Monica Smith has influenced during her 20 years in religious education.
“Going back through the sacramental records, she has been involved in guiding almost 400 to [the Sacrament of] Holy Eucharist, and almost 200 to Confirmation,” the pastor told the congregation gathered in Saint Cecilia Church, Mary, Queen of All Saints Parish.
Smith, who stepped down as parish catechetical leader at the end of last year, was among those across the Diocese of Camden and beyond recognized and commissioned Sept. 18, Catechetical Sunday, for their work in building up the Kingdom of God.
“I just tried to inspire people,” Smith humbly explained of her tenure that started in 2002 at Saint Cecilia Parish, now Mary, Queen of All Saints. The parishioner of 41 years will remain as a volunteer with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program.
As parish catechetical leader, Smith said she welcomed the everyday challenge of helping people move forward in the faith as well as seeing children’s gifts and talents, and empowering them to use those tools as missionary disciples.
Among those whose faith was fostered was Keishla Sanchez, a recent college graduate who will be teaching fourth-grade religious education at the parish. During Mass, Sanchez shared with the congregation Smith’s role in her life.
She explained that one day, Smith approached her and asked if she and her sister wanted to be altar servers. “We said yes, not really knowing what we were getting ourselves into,” Sanchez said, laughing. “From that very day, Mrs. Smith hooked us into the Catholic community. CCD taught me my faith, but Mrs. Smith showed me how to live my faith through her endless love for others.”
The new catechist hopes to emulate Smith’s “investment and passion” of the faith in the classroom. “She modeled, for me, how to help and serve others [in] how much she cares and wants people to learn.”
Fellow parishioner Samuel Lopez also testified to the impact Smith has had not only on his life, but in the lives of his family, too. “She turns everything into a positive.”
His wife, Nidia, and three children all went through the parish’s religious education program over the years.
“I received the Sacrament of the Eucharist under Mrs. Smith, and she was my Confirmation sponsor,” a teary-eyed Nidia Lopez said. “I’m not one to be very emotional, but she has meant a lot to me over the years. I’m thankful for what she’s given me and my children, who adore her and look up to her.”
“We need more people like her,” she added.
During Mass, Samuel Lopez, a woodworker, and his family presented a gift to Smith: a crucifix Lopez created from a cherry tree on the parish property that had recently been cut down.
“As soon as I heard she was stepping down, I wanted to make something for her,” Lopez explained. “Like the cherry tree that was out front, Mrs. Smith’s roots run deep here.”
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