Parishes welcome new catechetical leaders for 2024-2025 year

The Diocese of Trenton joins with other dioceses from around the country in observing Catechetical Sunday on Sept. 15. That day will also mark a milestone for 12 new catechetical leaders who begin assignments in parish ministry.

David Barr

St. Isaac Jogues, Marlton

• PARISH: St. Isaac Jogues, Marlton
• EDUCATION: Master’s of educational leadership, St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, Pa.; master’s of business degree, Tiffin University, Tiffin, Ohio; bachelor’s of business degree, Albright College, Reading, Pa.
• ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATION: Certificate of Catholic Theology, Scripture, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind.
• PREVIOUS CATECHETICAL EXPERIENCE: Catechist at St. Isaac Jogues, fifth grade; director of campus ministry, Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School, Philadelphia, for six years; theology teacher for seven years
• WHY SERVING IN MINISTRY OF CATECHESIS IS IMPORTANT/WORTHWHILE: It is a blessing to share the riches of Scripture and Tradition with our students and families while working with them to be witnesses of God’s love: love of God and love of others. What a blessing to live out those commands with our faith family.

Laura Connelly

St. John Neumann, Mount Laurel

• PARISH: Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Maple Shade
• EDUCATION: Biological sciences, magna cum laude, Drexel University, Philadelphia
• ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATION: Human Resources Management, Drexel University, Philadelphia
• PREVIOUS CATECHETICAL EXPERIENCE: Secular Discalced Carmelite in the Community of St. Therese of The Child Jesus, The Little Flower, Cherry Hill; volunteer at Children’s Liturgy, Catholic schools; member of parish council at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish
• WHY SERVING IN MINISTRY OF CATECHESIS IS IMPORTANT/WORTHWHILE: Creating a catechetical program where prayer, sacred Scripture and Catholic tradition will foster participants to establish and grow a lifelong relationship with Jesus is essential to the future of the Church and society. We are all called to be disciples of Christ and to be able to directly impact this calling is humbling.

Dilcia E. Diaz

St. Ann Parish, Browns Mills

• PARISH: Holy Eucharist, Tabernacle
• WHY SERVING IN MINISTRY OF CATECHESIS IS IMPORTANT/WORTHWHILE? Our children are the future leaders of our Church, and they need our representation of that loving Jesus.

Rosemarie Flood

St. Catharine, Holmdel

• PARISH: St. Anthony of Padua, Red Bank
• EDUCATION: Master of arts in religious education, Felician College (now Felician University, Lodi); master of arts in communications, Fordham University, Bronx, N.Y.; bachelor of arts in communications, Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey), Ewing
• PREVIOUS CATECHETICAL EXPERIENCE: Archdiocese of Newark: director of religious education, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Bergenfield, 2007-2024; director of religious education, Holy Trinity Parish, Fort Lee, 2013-2019; catechist at St. John Parish, Bergenfield, and St. Therese of Lisieux, Cresskill, starting 2000
• WHY SERVING IN MINISTRY OF CATECHESIS IS IMPORTANT/WORTHWHILE: I can’t imagine what my life would be without the gift of my Catholic faith. I love being among people who generously share it with others – and then witnessing that gift being opened and shared again and again.

Debbie Gaudino

St. Thomas More, Manalapan

• PARISH: Oratory Church of St. Anthony of Padua, Red Bank
• EDUCATION: Bachelor of arts, Fordham University, Bronx, N.Y.; master of arts, theology and pastoral ministry, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio
• PREVIOUS CATECHETICAL EXPERIENCE: Catechist for children, Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults for teens and for adults at the Oratory Church of St. Anthony of Padua; Latin and theology teacher for Homeschool Connections.
• WHY SERVING IN MINISTRY OF CATECHESIS IS IMPORTANT/WORTHWHILE: The word catechist comes from the Greek word meaning “to echo down” and for me, it is such an awesome privilege as a catechist to be entrusted with the task of “echoing down” the Good News of our salvation in Jesus Christ and the beauty and richness of our Catholic faith. There is no greater joy than helping people discover how much God loves them and how much hope and peace living a life of faith offers them.

Jaime Gostkowski

St. Paul, Princeton

• PARISH: St. Paul, Princeton
• EDUCATION: Master of arts, elementary education, Monmouth University, West Long Branch; bachelor of arts, psychology, Monmouth University, West Long Branch
• ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATION: New Jersey Teaching Certificate: Elementary Education K-5
• PREVIOUS CATECHETICAL EXPERIENCE: First grade catechist in Most Holy Redeemer Parish, Old Bridge, for seven years. First grade catechist in St. Paul Parish, Princeton, since 2019
• WHY SERVING IN MINISTRY OF CATECHSIS IS IMPORTANT/WORTHWHILE? I believe that everyone should be given the opportunity to learn about their faith in a way that works best for them. I have a daughter with Down Syndrome, and my husband and I wanted to make sure she was able to receive an education in her faith along with her siblings. It is for this reason that I chose to move along with my girls as their catechist. I wanted to assure my daughter and other children with varying needs are given the extra support they need to flourish while learning about their faith. Parents are first and foremost every child’s main catechist. However, I take pride in being a part of my students’ faith journey and feel lucky to watch each and every one of them grow closer to God. I have found that as I journey along with my girls, my own faith has grown deeper and I now feel that it was a calling for me to take on this role. My hope is that every student that comes through our program will leave us feeling that they have built a strong relationship with God and that they know he is with them in everything that they do.

Brenda Hanuschik

Incarnation-St. James, Ewing

• PARISH: Incarnation-St. James, Ewing
• EDUCATION: Bachelor of science and master’s in education, Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey), Ewing
• PREVIOUS CATECHETICAL EXPERIENCE: Catechist in Incarnation-St. James Parish, Ewing
• WHY SERVING IN MINISTRY OF CATECHESIS IS IMPORTANT/WORTHWHILE: Serving in the ministry of catechesis is valuable because it helps children grow in their understanding and practice of their faith. By teaching and guiding others, catechists strengthen the foundation of the community, ensuring that religious traditions and values are preserved and passed on. This role not only enriches the faith life of others but also fosters a sense of fulfillment and purpose in those who serve.

Millie Linett

St. Mary of the Lakes Parish, Medford (In addition to serving as the parish catechetical leaders, Linett will also serve as the religion coordinator in St. Mary of the Lakes School, Medford.)

• PARISH: St. Mary of the Lakes, Medford
• EDUCATION: Master’s in theology from La Salle University, Philadelphia
• PREVIOUS CATECHETICAL EXPERIENCE: Catechist in parish PREP program

Mark Little

St. Pius X, Forked River

• PARISH: St. Pius X, Forked River
• EDUCATION: Master’s in educational leadership, Kean University, Union; Bachelor’s degree in computer science from Caldwell University, Caldwell
• ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATION: Principal certification, New Jersey
• PREVIOUS CATECHETICAL EXPERIENCE: Teaching religious education for five years; playing piano in the Praise Band since 2006
• WHY SERVING IN MINISTRY OF CATECHESIS IS IMPORTANT/WORTHWHILE: I love educating children and ensuring they receive the best education possible. When the opportunity arose to become the parish catechetical leader, I enthusiastically accepted. My previous experience as a computer teacher and assistant principal allowed me to work with a diverse student and staff population. In these roles, I developed a strong ability to understand the needs of both students and teachers. I believe teaching children about their faith is one of the most crucial things we can do as members of the Catholic Church. Having been raised Catholic and participating in the religious education program at the same parish I now serve I feel a deep connection to the parish community. Teaching children and mentoring those who will continue the faith education is essential for the growth of the Catholic Church and the community I serve. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and am committed to serving Catholic children with the respect and honor this role demands.

PIER MAGNO

Resurrection, Delran

• PARISH: St. Peter, Merchantville
• PREVIOUS CATECHETICAL EXPERIENCE: Has more than 21 years’ experience as a catechist and substitute in Resurrection; St. Peter, Riverside, and St. Peter, Merchantville
• ¡ WHY SERVING IN MINISTRY OF CATECHESIS IS IMPORTANT/WORTHWHILE: When you serve the Lord with joy in your heart, your life becomes richer. One may see their outlook on life be changed from seeing things done as a job or need and then fully transforming it as God’s will for our lives. Our Lord and his Mother asked us to be their instruments and salt of the earth. I look at society and the growing Church and realize there is a decline in numbers. I ponder and ask myself “Why?” There is a great need for a strong foundation of faith, not only for those who already practice but also for those who do not yet know the love of God. We start with the families as a unity and eventually, it branches to their children and friends and neighbors. If we strive to become holier everyday and follow the lives of the saints, we are following God’s plan for us.

John Napoli

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Maple Shade

• PARISH: Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Maple Shade
• EDUCATION: Bachelor of science degree, Philadelphia University
• PREVIOUS CATECHETICAL EXPERIENCE: Served as catechist for first, second and eighth grades
• WHY SERVING IN MINISTRY OF CATECHESIS IS IMPORTANT/WORTHWHILE: I find my greatest fulfillment in working with young children and their families. I have always taken this responsibility seriously from the days when I coached sports to being a catechist. When this opportunity presented itself, I thought, “What better way to serve our Lord than by working with our great catechists to help spread the Good News to the children of our parish and their families on their spiritual journey?” I am excited at the idea that I can play a small part in a larger picture by taking an active role and creating opportunities for the children and their families to live out what is being taught, and to work with parents to instill a moral compass in their children, and for them to experience God’s love more deeply.

Mira Welnoska

St. Veronica, Howell

• PARISH: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Lakewood
• EDUCATION: Bachelor of arts, computer science, math, Hunter College, New York; Master’s in education, Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, Ariz.; master of fine arts, Academy of Art University, San Francisco; currently pursuing a master of arts in theology, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio
• PREVIOUS CATECHETICAL EXPERIENCE: Teaching religious education classes in: St. John Paul II Parish, Perth Amboy, 2019-2022; St. Aloysius Parish, Jackson, 2021-2022; serving as assistant to the religious education director in St. Aloysius Parish, 2022-2023
• WHY SERVING IN MINISTRY OF CATECHESIS IS IMPORTANT/WORTHWHILE: The ministry of catechesis is extremely important. It is teaching our younger generation about God and bringing them closer to our Lord.