Theology of the Body a focus of parish catechetical leaders” Advent Retreat

“You are incredible! You are the bridge for young people on their journey of faith.” So proclaimed Enza Cerami, guest speaker for the Parish Catechetical Leaders’ Advent Retreat held at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway, on Dec. 7. Almost all 90 diocesan parishes have a PCL who trains and supervises the catechetical teachers who instruct the young people of the parish.  

Some forty PCLs gathered to hear Cerami, executive director, Living Stones, Inc., which “creates opportunities to share the message of chastity and the beauty of God’s plan for sex and marriage for youth and young adults.” Her first of two talks focused on the PCLs.  The day also included Mass in the diocesan chapel.

Cerami grounded her message in the reality of everyday life, noting how Mary and Joseph were just like them, no strangers to adversity. Mary, a pregnant unmarried teenager, and Joseph, a man with a mysteriously pregnant fiancé, endured these and other hardships to come, but they kept their faith, saying “yes” to God, thereby playing an intricate role in salvation history, “our salvation.”

“Parents give their kids to you because they sense something good here,” Enza said. “You are anointed, chosen. We have an enemy at hand: a spiritual battle, and so you have a target on your backs.” Our armor for this battle with the enemy is prayer, which bolsters us, she said, concluding with a seven-step program on how to pray: gratitude, talking to God, asking for forgiveness, embracing the freedom to be your best self, and talking to God about how; regard for others: and lastly, prayerfully reflect on the words of the “Our Father” and the journey of Mary and Joseph. Despite everything, keep going!  

During lunch and embellishing the day, Bishop Checcio paid an unexpected visit, going from table to table speaking with the PCLs. Following lunch, Jill Kerekes, diocesan director of the Office of Discipleship Formation for Children which sponsored the event, displayed the revised manual for training catechists, which the PCLs convert into resource materials for teachers.

Kerekes had heard Cerami speak on the subject of her second talk – “Theology of the Body,” championed by St. Pope John Paul II – and invited her as the presenter for this retreat. Cerami emphasized the relevance for today’s youth, grounded in relationships, the core dimension of human nature.

Cerami spoke on the essence of God as a relationship of divine persons, and with all humanity made in his image. She spoke of the beauty and power of sex, but without guidance, youth are abandoned to secular forces. Seven years ago, she started her program to address this need.

“Kids are starving, empty, broken,” she said. “So this is my joy, my passion. This theology emphasizes the authentic good of the other. We are created to give and receive love, not to be used. Today people have been turned into objects.”

She ended this powerful presentation, and the day, with the story of a young male who approached her after a workshop, and said, “Thank you for teaching me to respect others.”

Margaret Russo, a PCL from Good Shepherd Parish, Hopelawn, described the event as “wonderful,” particularly the benefit of meeting with other PCLs, and noting that she will use the prayer material.She also acknowledged that her biggest challenge “is getting students from grades three through six to enroll,” explaining the younger and older students attend, but the middle years are a challenge.

Rosemary Eckert, PCL in Our Lady of Ostrabrama, South River, noted her greatest challenge as “getting students to attend Mass.” Jordan Drevelus, PCL from Sacred Heart Parish, South Amboy, said, “We oversee formation, so it’s good to get back to basics to ground us.”

PCL in Sacred Heart Parish, South Plainfield, Louise Timko, noted that she appreciated the opportunity to compare notes with other PCLs about their problems and ideas. Together, these four PCLs oversee the instruction of some 600 children, with a diocesan total of 18,000 children in religious formation.