“Catechesis is not a ‘job’ or a task that is external to the person who is a catechist; because one ‘is’ a catechist, and all of life revolves around this mission. In fact, ‘being’ a catechist is a vocation of service to the Church.”
Such were the words of Pope Francis during the first International Catechetical Symposium in 2017, a reminder that not only have catechists responded to a vocation from the Lord, but those around them have a duty to support these evangelizers who are “fearlessly open to the working of the Holy Spirit.”
On Catechetical Sunday, which falls on Sept. 18 this year, the faithful men and women who serve in religious education will be recognized during Masses across South Jersey. Their ministries are as diverse as they themselves – whether teaching youth or adult parish programs and in Catholic grammar and high schools, or administrating such programs.
Religious education ‘like learning a language,’ teacher says
For Lori ScottoDiVetta, anyone can be a catechist – from someone in a position like hers teaching religious education to even children who participate in such programs.
“Children will repeat many of the teachings they learned in religious education classes when they go home,” said ScottoDiVetta, director of religious education in Saint Mary of Mount Carmel Parish, Hammonton. “Parents will see and hear their children wanting to say grace before meals, re-telling the parable of Jesus the Good Shepherd, or saying their prayers before they go to bed. It is through these actions that their children are actually serving as the catechist to their family.”
ScottoDiVetta, who has served in her position for eight years, has also been a teacher for more than two decades, working with students from kindergarten through eighth grade. This year, her parish will be implementing a new program called the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for children ages three through six.
“I tell all my families that religious education is like learning a language,” she said. “The more you hear and practice it, the more you will understand and learn it.”
She explained, “I compare it to the language of God’s love. The best way to learn the language of God’s love is for families to bring their children to Mass, become actively involved within our parish and continue to register their children every year for religious education classes.”
Her parish includes large Italian and Latino populations, and this diversity has enriched the religious education experience for children, she said.
“We implement both of their cultures, customs and celebrations throughout the liturgical year,” she said. “This gives the children in our program the opportunity to participate and celebrate in religious traditional events to which their family is accustomed.”
~ By David Karas, correspondent
For adults, a heart for social justice
When it comes to religious education, putting liturgy into practice is a “big focus” for adult parishioners.
“They are very service-minded. Many, overall, are interested in adult studies, catechist certification and social justice,” said Cathy Johnson, pastoral associate for lifelong faith formation in Cherry Hill’s Catholic Community of Christ Our Light. “They want to put their faith into action and not just check a box.”
That being the case, Johnson, who is also director of adult faith formation, said that several years ago, staff researched areas of catechesis with an eye toward the adult community – worship, music and lifelong faith formation – and conceived a program divided along adult and elementary lines for those of all ages.
The parish’s religious education program reflects the concept that catechesis should not just be limited to the sacraments, but rather, it should be a lifelong mission. For example, adult educational opportunities include marriage and baptismal preparation; Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults classes, retreats and guest speakers, and faith-sharing groups.
“We have about 75 folks who help run the programs. In terms of generations, we have a broad range, most 40 and above and a young adult group. It’s a broad experience,” said Johnson, who holds a doctorate of ministry and two masters degrees – one in religious studies and a second as a spiritual director in pastoral care.
~ By Lois Rogers, correspondent
Sharing one’s personal faith keeps teens engaged
When it comes to teaching youth about the Catholic faith, Diane Crowell, who chairs the Religion Department in Camden Catholic High School, readily admits that “keeping teenagers engaged isn’t easy.”
But, she is quick to add, “If we make it comfortable to talk about our faith life in the classroom without being judged by others, it works.”
A recent example of that strategy was found on the Cherry Hill high school’s Facebook page, which outlined plans for a senior religion class to focus on what it means to be “living for the common good, and living as more caring, compassionate Catholics and world citizens.” The students were then asked to journal about the advice they would like to share about that topic with fellow students.
“Having the students commit to listening to each other and never judging is key,” said Crowell, a 1978 alumna of Camden Catholic and longtime faculty member who has served as a teacher and administrator over the years including as the dean of International Students.
She encourages fellow religion teachers to reveal their own faith, which “makes [students] feel comfortable and gives them the opportunity to strengthen their own.”
Among the many blessings of Catholic education, she said, is that it “reinforces faith by the constant focus on the teachings and life of Jesus.
“When our teachers are teaching math and science, it is always God-centered. Our students know that God is our creator, and that is reinforced in everything we learn. Our teachers also demonstrate their own Christianity in all they do in class. Math, science and faith do not work against each other,” she said. “They are complimentary.
“We pray together, we worship together and we learn together.”
~ By Lois Rogers, correspondent
New CRE aims to expand family participation
As the new coordinator of religious education in Saint Vincent de Paul Parish, Mays Landing, Yolanda Stanley is looking to keep families front and center in the life of the community of about 2,100 members.
Stanley, a parish catechist for 15 years who sees her fluency in Spanish as adding to these “teachable moments,” said it’s her goal to involve children and their parents in “every aspect of the year with intergenerational programs” that bring the whole community together.
Stanley and her husband, Jonathan, have two children, Christina and John. She said they benefited from a family-focused approach and believes their early involvement in parish life played a role in keeping them active church-goers as they grew up.
“They became altar servers,” she said. “Our daughter married in the Catholic Church, her two children are baptized and her daughter is a student in Saint Vincent de Paul Regional School.”
To unite parents and children with the Church throughout the year, she said she’s following the lead set by her predecessor, Kathy Mattson, whom she called an “inspiration and a wonderful guide.”
Stanley envisions activities such as distributing “passports” at the beginning of the school year. She hopes this will inspire children to act as catechists themselves by encouraging their parents to take them to Mass each weekend and having their passports stamped.
“I want to involve the parents because they are the children’s first teachers and as such, I want to put a little responsibility on them,” she said. “Children can’t get to church without their parents.”
~ By Lois Rogers, correspondent
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
