The “3Rs” typically refer to reading, writing and arithmetic. Or, when talking about the environment, the three R’s are reduce, reuse, recycle.
But when 150 parish catechetical ministers gathered Aug. 24 in St. Martha Parish, Point Pleasant, for a spirituality day that focused on the theme “Finding Joy in the Journey,” they heard about another “3Rs” to keep in mind as they carry out their respective parish ministries – “Rid yourself of resentments; Resign, and Render Thanks.”
“Joy is what our Lord desires for us,” Msgr. Thomas N. Gervasio said in his keynote address, speaking before an audience that included parish directors/coordinators of religious education, catechists, Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults team members and youth ministers.
After noting that the word “joy,” in some form, is found in Scripture 244 times, he explained that joy and happiness are not synonymous.
“Happiness is tied to the present moment, to a set of temporary conditions or circumstances. As wonderful as those moments might seem, every one of them can change or be taken away,” said Msgr. Gervasio, diocesan vicar general and pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton.
Joy, on the other hand “is something else. It has to be found somewhere else,” he said. “Joy has less to do with emotion and more to do with firm belief. It is spiritual. It has God as its source. We have to choose joy. If we choose to be miserable, we will be and so will those around us.”
Along with Msgr. Gervasio’s keynote, the spirituality day, hosted by the diocesan Department of Catechesis, included Mass celebrated by Msgr. Gervasio and concelebrated by Father John Butler, pastor of St. Michael Parish, West End, and Father Mark Nillo, parochial vicar of St. Michael Parish, as well as time for sharing and brunch.
The day, said Denise Contino, the department’s director, provided an occasion to “say thanks to the catechists for their service, sacrifice and motivation for the upcoming catechetical year and to help them grow in their spiritual life.”
As a guide to help participants make earnest choices for achieving joy, Msgr. Gervasio reviewed his “3Rs of a Joyful Catechist.”
When speaking of “Rid yourself of resentment,” Msgr. Gervasio acknowledged that working for the Church has its challenges. “At times we can be offended, hurt, ignored or rejected and a deep inner protest emerges within us … We begin to harbor resentment and anger, and its resentment and anger corrodes the container it is carried in.”
To help those who may feel resentful, Msgr. Gervasio encouraged them to seek “spiritual therapy” by attending a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament and receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Msgr. Gervasio got a chuckle from the audience when he suggested they “resign from the Mona Lisa Society.” “I am not speaking about the devotees of Leonardo Da Vinci,” he quipped, but about constant complainers, the moaners.”
“While there is always a place for legitimate or constructive criticism, you can be sure that a ‘Mona Lisa’ will find fault with nearly everything and never make positive contributions to discussions or plans. When we are constantly negative, we become blind to the good around us,” he said, then emphasized his point by referring to Scripture’s Road to Emmaus story and how the disciples “were so wrapped up in complaining, they did not see the Lord walking with them.”
Regarding “Render Thanks,” Msgr. Gervasio reminded the catechetical ministers that “Gratitude is the gateway to joy.
“The reason we may not feel as joyful as we’d like is that we don’t create enough space in our lives to be aware and grateful for God’s blessings,” he said. “Joy will never come to those who don’t appreciate what they already have.”
Participants agreed that the day proved to be refreshing, enlightening and joy-filled.
“Catechists can use all the help available to bring Christ and the Church into these young lives,” said Jaqueline Crane, who is starting her second year as a seventh-grade religious education catechist in Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, West Trenton. “The fact that Msgr. Gervasio’s main focus was on being joyful and bringing joy into our life brought home [the point] that religious education classes are not a punishment for the young people but an opportunity to show them what it is that makes them Catholic. Joy in everything that they do and joy in learning, and also that Jesus is joy.”
Looking ahead to the new religious education year, Crane added that she hopes, “to be joyful in teaching young people from 4:30 to 6 p.m. every Monday evening.”
After serving 27 years in various catechetical positions including teaching religious education, R.C.I.A. and Confirmation preparation classes, Suzanne Hughes said she continues to appreciate having opportunities such as the ministry day that allow her to not only grow in her own faith but also equip her to be better able to serve in her ministries.
“I learned from Msgr. Gervasio that for the Christian, joy is a duty and those who work for the Lord should be joyful,” said Hughes, who began her ministry in the former Immaculate Conception Parish, Trenton, then continued at Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Trenton, and now currently serves as a catechist in St. Theresa Parish, Little Egg Harbor.
Father Nillo said he was delighted to attend his first catechetical spirituality day with Father Butler and five parishioners, four of whom are catechists and one assistant catechist.
After reflecting on how catechists and catechetical ministry are important in the life of a parish “because our catechists teach in the name of the Church and they pass on the teaching of Christ and the Church year after year, from generation to generation,” Father Nillo spoke on the message of joy saying how deeply rooted it is in the awareness of the truth that all are loved by God faithfully, generously and unconditionally.
“It is important for catechists, who proclaim God’s Good News by their words and actions, to carry this joy and to share this joy wherever they go,” he said. “The Good News that they carry with them must be consistent with the manner in which they share that Good News.
“If it is Good News that they are to proclaim, it must be proclaimed with joy,” he said.