Whether it is through religious education programs or parish-wide initiatives to share the Good News and amplify lessons learned from saints, dedicated faithful serve as catechists for children and adults alike year-round across the Diocese of Camden.
In this year’s observance of Catechetical Sunday, those who spread the word and promote the faith are embracing the theme: “Always be ready to give an explanation … for a reason for your hope.”
Mary Anne Serra, coordinator of faith formation and family life for All Saints Parish, Millville, finds hope in Jesus, and in the reminders of His presence she encounters in her daily life.
“You may hear it said from time to time, ‘I read the Bible and I know who wins in the end.’ Jesus is the reason for my hope,” said Serra. “It is His face that I see in the faces of my students, members of OCIA and those returning home to the Catholic faith. Their desire to know and love Jesus through the Mass, Adoration and the teaching of the Catholic faith gives me hope. They give me hope when I hear them sharing their faith with one another.”
As a catechist, she recognizes her call to be “a cheerleader in the good times, and to help someone to find the hope in the Lord they may need in difficult times.” She knows the importance of being present for her parish community.
“My role is to plant the seeds of faith in the fertile soil of love, knowledge and prayer,” she said. “Then I pray and hope in the Lord as they grow.”
Amidst so many things in today’s world that might challenge someone’s hope, Serra suggests that faithful look to the examples of the saints. Her parish organizes events throughout the year to honor saints, learning about challenges they faced and how they persevered – as well as how those challenges might connect with the present.
“The youth have taken a particular interest in our new millennial, Saint Carlo Acutis,” she said. “The fact that he lived in the same century, played video games, taught himself coding and had great love for our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament gives the youth of today hope. Being a saint is attainable if we try.”
For fellow catechist Andrew Stetser, director of youth religious education in Saint Mary Parish, Gloucester City, hope in Jesus helps in the good times, and in the trying ones as well.
“Once you put Christ at the center of your life, you can’t help but to be hopeful,” he said. “As long as you keep your focus on Christ, hope will follow.”
When teaching young people about the faith, Stetser works to promote hope while preparing them to receive the Sacraments, as well as through retreats, days of prayer and activities like Stations of the Cross.
“With so much divisiveness and turmoil in the world, it is easy to become hopeless,” he said. “By reminding the children in religious education that core belief ‘with God, all things are possible,’ we can give them a newfound hope; we can give them the courage to live out their faith and to spread the Good News to others.”
Karen Caso, director of religious education at Holy Angels Parish, Woodbury, sees this year’s Catechetical Sunday theme as one that connects with a call made of all faithful following Baptism.
“By our Baptism, we all have a responsibility to share in the mission of the Church, which is to spread the Gospel,” she explained. “This year’s theme tells us to always be ready – we always need to stand up for our faith, speak the truth and be living examples of what it means to follow Christ, even when it is not easy or popular or when being challenged when the world suggests something different.”
She likes to remind young people about God’s constant presence, and the grace extended to all those who are open to it – and she reminds herself of the same truths.
“Jesus conquered sin and death for us. Heaven wins in the end,” she said. “This is a comfort and helps [us] to stay focused.”
Marking Catechetical Sunday in each of these catechists’ parishes includes a Mass with a special recognition of those engaged in catechesis in their community.
“Our catechists are the unsung heroes of the parish. They volunteer on a weekly basis to teach the students, run retreats and help plan special events,” said Stetser. “It is a beautiful thing to teach our youth about our faith, [and] I encourage the teachers to speak at the parishes about what a wonderful gift it is to be able to share the Catholic faith with the students.”
Serra recalls her own start as a catechist, which came at the age of 14 at the invitation of a religious sister. She encourages others to follow in her footsteps.
“The best way I know of to encourage others to become catechists is to be open to the Holy Spirit, and when prompted, ask them,” she shared. “Then you must support them with the educational tools necessary for their own spiritual growth.”
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