By MARY STADNYK
Associate Editor
The way Barbara Kane sees it, the heart of catechetical ministry is about being a disciple of Christ, with a desire to share the Catholic faith with others.
“To be disciples of Jesus, we are to share the Good News,” said Kane, “and I can see how important it is for children to have the hope and love our faith provides.”
Kane, parish catechetical leader in Sacred Heart Parish, Mount Holly, reflected on her ministry upon learning she was named recipient of the 2025 Rosemarie “Chick” McGinty Award for Excellence in Catechetical Ministry.
Denise Contino, diocesan director of the Department of Catechesis, presented Kane with the award Sept. 21 during a Mass that coincided with the parish’s observance of Catechetical Sunday.
A Ministry of witness
“Barbara Kane is more than a leader; she is a living witness to the love of Christ, nurturing faith and hope in all she encounters,” said Contino.
“I can say without hesitation that her leadership is marked by patience, grace and love. She embodies the very essence of the ‘Chick’ McGinty Award for Excellence in Catechetical Leadership,” Contino added.
Presented by the diocesan Department of Catechesis, the award is given in recognition of an outstanding parish catechetical leader designated by the ministry. The award is named after the late Rosemarie “Chick” McGinty, who headed the Office of Catechesis from 1986 to 2003. McGinty was the first laywoman to serve as a parish director of religious education in the diocese and was the first laywoman to be director of a diocesan office.
Kane was raised in South Brunswick and attended Cook College at Rutgers University; she graduated with a bachelor of science degree in natural resource management. She currently lives in the Mount Holly area with her husband, Ryan; they have two adult children, Maddie and Jay. She joined Sacred Heart Parish in 2001, and she became involved with the religious education program during the time her children attended the program.
“I wanted to help,” Kane said, noting that she started as a hall monitor and worked her way up as a first-grade class aide.
“I enjoyed working with the younger children,” she said. Later, when she became a catechist for the seventh graders, she found that “the older children were just as much fun.”
Seven years later she was named assistant to Jessica Donohue, the parish catechetical leader at the time. She succeeded Donohue in 2021 when Donohue became PCL in St. Joan of Arc Parish, Marlton.
More than a catechist
Part of Kane’s formation for her position included completing a two-year diocesan training program for all parish catechetical leaders. Along with overseeing the religious education program, which has 247 students and a catechetical team of 50 volunteers – 25 catechists and 25 aides/hall monitors – she is also involved with the parish’s St. Vincent de Paul Conference. She started a “Mini Vinnie” group for children in grades four through eight and recently expanded the Mini Vinnies to include high school-aged students as “young Vincentians.”
Kane said she was surprised and humbled to be honored with this year’s diocesan catechetical award.
“After hearing so much about the dedication and commitment that Chick McGinty brought to the Diocese and shared … with so many, it is so nice to be recognized as doing my best to meet the needs of our parish families,” she said.
Denise Contino, left, congratulates Barbara Kane who was named the recipient of the 2025 Rosemarie “Chick” McGinty Award for Excellence in Catechetical Ministry. Mary Stadnyk photo