As principals, school leaders and teachers in elementary and high schools across the Diocese of Camden strive to model Christian values and Catholic identity for their students, they are getting an extra boost through the Word on Fire ministry.
Founded by Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minn. – also a past chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis – Word on Fire is a Catholic media organization that offers materials designed to energize faithful around Catholicism and evangelism.
In 2023, Dr. Lee DelleMonache, diocesan director of religious education, introduced elementary school principals to the Word on Fire Catholicism 101 series – which includes 18 videos featuring contemporary evangelists like Sister Josephine Garrett, CSFN, Father Stephen Gadberry and actor Jonathan Roumie from “The Chosen” series tackling topics like creation, salvation history, the Incarnation, the Paschal Mystery and more.
“Catholicism 101 was so well-received by principals that we rolled that same series out to the elementary school teachers,” she said, noting that the 2023-2024 academic year saw the inclusion of primary educators as well as high school principals, presidents and directors of Catholic identity. “They, too, had a positive experience with it, so we are currently sending Catholicism 101 to high school teachers.”
This year, elementary school teachers are being introduced to a series that focuses on the Creed – another 18-part series that includes documentary footage and discussions with Bishop Barron to guide viewers through the Nicene Creed, its history and its pivotal role for Christians.
Each of the two series that have been circulated in South Jersey involves sending participants an email each week with a brief catechesis on a topic and a short video. The email also provides reflective prompts for participants to consider, pray about and discuss with others, and Dr. DelleMonache said principals have been incorporating those conversations into regular workshops and faculty meetings.
Participants also have access to the entire Word on Fire digital library, which includes additional teaching and enlightenment about the Catholic faith.
“Engaging with each series provides teachers and principals with opportunities to learn more about the Catholic faith. As a result, that new knowledge informs their ministry as teachers,” Dr. DelleMonache said. “There is so much more that is happening in addition to that increase in knowledge about the faith. Pastors, principals and teachers have shared with me how the Holy Spirit has moved their school communities in special ways as a result of engagement with the Word on Fire content.”
Fern Love, who serves as director of the Rosebud Academy Preschool at Saint Rose of Lima School, Haddon Heights, has found great value in both series.
“My faith is always deepened when I have an ongoing opportunity to think about God’s presence and action in my life. The Word on Fire series has done just that,” she said, noting that she is currently delving into the series on the Creed. “The weekly videos allow me to touch base with the Creed and break it open in an innovative way that appeals to both my head and heart.”
While she no longer teaches in the classroom, Love said that she sees Word on Fire content spark conversation among faculty and staff, and that it has had an impact on their school community.
“You can’t teach what you don’t know, so the program brings to light what we believe as Catholics, dispelling ideas that may be outdated or misguided,” she added.
Dr. Phil Gianfortune, principal of Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, has also enjoyed being introduced to the content.
“I have found the Word on Fire series to be engaging in a wide range of topics that have led me to times of reflection and to discussions with others about Catholic teachings,” he said. “At points, the content reconnects me to theological topics I have learned in Catholic school or is thought-provoking for me in my faith journey.”
He has seen the series enhance and deepen the faith formation of his faculty and staff – much like how professional development helps educators grow in their practices. He has also seen teachers even share videos with their students to emphasize lessons and spark conversations about faith.
“I have seen faculty [deliver] lessons to our students with Bishop Barron-led videos that help to enhance or engage students in class discussions,” he said. “For Catholic educators, I found it to be a nice blend of classical Catholic teachings but appealing to a wide audience.”Dr. DelleMonache hopes that families “are noticing a school culture that is more intentional about its Catholic identity” as a result of the Word on Fire series. Plus, by bolstering the faith formation of teachers, she sees the initiative as leaning into one of the key elements of Catholic schools that helps to recruit educators who want to celebrate their faith through their teaching.
“In South Jersey Catholic schools, the Catholic faith is so much more than a subject that is taught,” she said. “The more intentional time teachers and principals spend individually and as a community to learn, reflect on and discuss the Catholic faith, the more the Catholic faith will inspire and influence how they teach, lead, serve, discipline and motivate their students.”
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