Catechist Formation Day provides opportunity for growth in ministry

When Pope Francis instituted the ministry of catechist with his Apostolic Letter Antiquum Ministerium, he stressed that the presence of those called to share in the work of catechesis “is all the more urgently needed today as a result of our increasing awareness of the need for evangelization in the contemporary world and the rise of a globalized culture.

“This requires genuine interaction with young people, to say nothing of the need for creative methodologies and resources capable of adapting the proclamation of the Gospel to the missionary transformation that the Church has undertaken.”

To this end, some 120 catechists from throughout the Diocese attended “Catechesis on the Eucharist,” a Catechist Formation Day held Feb. 3 in the St. John Neuman Pastoral Center, Piscataway. The event, which included Mass in the pastoral center chapel, was organized by Jill Kerekes, diocesan director of the Office of Discipleship Formation for Children, and featured two speakers – Sister of Jesus Our Hope Lorraine Doirin, campus minister at Rutgers University, and Father James De Fillipps, pastor, St. Magdalen de Pazzi Parish, Flemington.

Sister Lorraine offered a framework of four elements for catechesis – proclamation of the Gospel, miracles, Scriptures and living a Eucharistic life.

She stressed the importance of beginning all catechesis with prayer – asking for the help of the Holy Spirit. “It’s not me. It’s the Holy Spirit doing this,” she said, advising them to then ground everything in the proclamation of the Gospel message, called the kerygma, from the Greek word for proclamation. “You are their connection to the Church and salvation in Jesus,” she said.

Miracles, she noted, “are real and present in our time,” which led to her third point – teach the Scriptures, especially the Holy Week accounts, with the miracle and institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper. “Jesus said, ‘This is My body,’ and we believe it because it’s true,” she added. 

Lastly, teach “living a Eucharistic life. Show them by living it out.” She stressed that religious education is not merely an academic undertaking but an invitation to be a disciple of Jesus.   

In his presentation, Father De Fillipps addressed the catechetical vocation, which helps children develop a relationship with the Lord. “You are second only to their parents. You must not only teach, but also give witness to what you believe to be the truth by practicing it, by following Jesus’s example of loving, forgiveness, and affirmation. Your work should be rooted in prayer, of which there are many different forms.”

Adrienne Nelson, a third-year catechist at Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Piscataway, considered the presentations “rejuvenating. I am aware that so much is put in my hands. I believe that my education and talent are meant to be given away.” 

Fellow catechist at Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Dorothy Ihe, shared she is “preparing my second graders for their first Holy Communion, as well as the Sacrament of Reconciliation. And I am very happy with the new materials we are using to do so.” 

Scott Sheppard, a theology teacher in Immaculata High School, Somerville, noted it “was most reaffirming to hear about allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us and the materials we use.” 

Parish Catechetical Leader Sandra Kopka from St Catherine of Sienna Parish, Pittstown, was pleased about the emphasis on “Jesus not merely as an academic subject, but an encounter with him borne out of a life of prayer and promptings of the Holy Spirit.” She also acknowledged the ministry does come with challenges. “The ways of the world are a challenge. Sports, social media, and the like are often excuses,” which impact participation in parish catechetical programs, she reflected.

Catechists were reminded by Father De Fillipps of the importance, and beauty, of their ministry in a challenging world with his words, “You are in charge of converting hearts and minds,” a mission that can be achieved by “a devotion to the Eucharist and the Blessed Mother.”