Carol Freda once toiled on New York’s Wall Street. Now, in her new role as coordinator of religious education for St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish, Avon-by-the-Sea, she’ll work to inspire young minds on Lincoln Avenue instead.
Freda, a parishioner in St. Dominic, Brick, put aside her career in Manhattan’s financial district upon the birth of her son. Learning of the need for additional catechists at the parish, she volunteered to instruct the pre-school class. “It fit into my schedule with caring for my son,” she remembered. “It grew from there.”
Freda has been a part of the Brick parish catechesis program for 15 years, and will continue to teach there in addition to serving as head of the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish program.
The Fredas have been married for 21 years; Carol and her husband, Carmine, have a son who graduated from St. Dominic School and is now beginning his senior year in Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft.
Freda will work to “keep things the same, and make sure the parents feel welcomed” participating in the parish’s religious education program which serves about 160 children grades one through eight through the talents of eight catechists. The upcoming papal events in Philadelphia, New York and Washington should serve as great examples of faith for the children.
“I hope it’s an inspiration,” Freda said. “This Pope is so much a ‘people’s Pope.’ I hope the children feel comfortable with him, not like he’s unreachable.”