Brian Jefferes may be new to the Diocese of Trenton as associate director in the Department of Catechesis, but he is no stranger to helping others succeed in the area of religious education.
That is one reason why Jefferes, who served for 11 years as a director of religious education in St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Parish, Avondale, Pa., is looking forward to meeting the Diocese’s parish catechetical leaders in the coming year.
“I’ve been in that role, so if I can be of any assistance to them or their catechists, I’m happy and willing to help,” he said.
Jefferes originally hails from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, where he grew up attending Catholic elementary and secondary schools. It was in his high school of Bishop Shanahan in Downingtown, Pa., that he first considered religious education as a career choice, thanks to a theology teacher.
“I saw his love for teaching the faith, and I knew that’s what I wanted to do,” Jefferes said.
He went on to attend The Catholic University of America, Washington, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in theology and religious studies as well as a certificate in pastoral ministry. He earned a master’s degree in theology from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood, Pa.
He also worked as administrative assistant for the office of Alumni Relations at The Catholic University of America.
Jefferes, who lives in Newtown, Pa., is engaged to be married in June 2018.
Looking toward the future in the Diocese, he said, “When I was a new DRE, everyone in my diocese was helpful, so I want to take on the same role here.”
~ By Jennifer Mauro, managing editor