HAMMONTON – Leaders dedicated to catechesis gathered recently to discuss new ways to invite others to better know, love and serve Jesus.
“Dream beyond your parish’s existing structure, faith formation and sacrament prep models, and consider what might be if we were to look beyond the parish walls and discover new opportunities,” said Dr. Lee DelleMonache, diocesan director of religious education.
About 130 pastors, school principals, parish catechetical leaders and others gathered Feb. 25 at Saint Anthony of Padua Church Hall, Saint Mary of Mount Carmel Parish, for “Spirit Led: Applying Christ’s Pedagogy to Build Evangelizing Catechesis.” Bishop Dennis Sullivan and Coadjutor Bishop Williams were also in attendance.
Two years ago, Bishop Sullivan and the diocesan Presbyteral Council commissioned a task force to look at the preparation and celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation in Catholic schools. The event in Hammonton served as another opportunity for parish and school communities to discuss those findings, and next steps.
“There has been a significant failure to deal with Catholic theology, catechetics, Church teachings and pastoral responsibilities,” Bishop Sullivan said to those gathered.
He emphasized the Diocese’s goal of “Evangelizing catechesis … in every single school, and in every single religious education program,” to facilitate all generations in “encountering Jesus Christ, not just once, but again and again and again throughout life.”
To accomplish this, Dr. DelleMonache said, parishes and schools would spend the day looking at their communities, “to identify the areas of need that match with the resources of your parishes.”
In doing this, communities will best be able to “offer the goodness of God and build trust with those whom you serve,” she continued. This trust will open not only “connect people to your parish’s formation and sacrament preparation efforts,” but also open a door “for the evangelizing power of the Holy Spirit to work.”
Introducing the theme for the day, “The Pedagogy of Christ,” she talked about the Road to Emmaus, Jesus’ encounter with his disciples after the Resurrection, and how its pastoral, catechetical, and liturgical nature are the perfect blueprint for pastors, principals and parish catechetical leaders’ efforts.
The Emmaus story is pastoral, Dr. DelleMonache said. “Jesus first accompanies and tends to the wounds of the distraught disciples.” It’s catechetical, when “Jesus accompanies, then teaches and even offers some hard truths.” And, “it was in the liturgical act of breaking bread that the disciples’ eyes were opened to the real presence of Jesus.”
This Gospel passage illustrates the need to “continually make present and announce Jesus Christ,” she continued, which can be done “when we first meet people in their needs.”
Furthermore, “inviting others to know, love and serve Jesus better needs to be ongoing, needs to be embedded and needs to be integrated throughout all parish ministries.”
Dr. DelleMonache pointed out, as well, that the path to this isn’t to “change what the Church has to offer, but adjust the manner in which we offer it [in a way that] fits the uniqueness of parishes’ communities and culture.”
Building upon that theme, Dr. Bill Watson, diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools, led attendees in creatively workshopping pastoral needs for a fictional parish, including engaging those disaffiliated with the Church, and how best to attract them to parish events.
With each table organized by geography, to facilitate opportunities for synergy during the day and in the future, answers ranged from broadening communications systems to involving other parish ministries and presenting a unified event. Also discussed: empowering and challenging parishioners to personally invite others.
Highlighting the need for parish and school communities to engage with their neighbors in this catechesis, Dr. Maria Elena Hallion, executive director of Catholic Charities of South Jersey, and Nicole Keefer, executive director of VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services, introduced themselves and the work of their organizations, pledging support to the crowd.
Bishop Williams offered words of encouragement to attendees, using the words of Pope Benedict XVI in saying that “the New Evangelization begins when we let ordinary pastoral ministry be transformed by the fire of the Holy Spirit.”
“We need to dream with the Holy Spirit. We need to be bold.”
Acknowledging the “pastoral realities we face in our schools … and parish programs,” and noting that these catechetical efforts “will require time, patience and change in how we do catechesis,” Bishop Sullivan reminded all that “the goal is to initiate those who receive that education into the Christian life as a member of the Catholic Church.”
“May the Holy Spirit … help each of us to learn, and to be committed to evangelizing catechesis.”
At the program’s end, the formation leaders expressed optimism for the life of the Church of South Jersey.
“I’m refreshed and invigorated” by the day, said Elizabeth Mariani, principal of Camden’s Sacred Heart School. “It was great to collaborate with like-minded individuals to help the Church grow.”
Karen Caso, director of religious education at Holy Angels Parish, Woodbury, said, “It’s important that we, as a Diocese, are addressing the issues that need to be addressed. … We’re getting information and ideas, and sharing ideas on how to address the Church today.”
“I’m excited and hopeful that today will make a difference in my parish and throughout the Diocese.”
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