Catechetical Sunday celebrated in parishes throughout the diocese
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
Catechetical Sunday celebrated in parishes throughout the diocese
Mary [email protected]
Parishes throughout the Diocese of Trenton joined Catholic parishes across the country the weekend of Sept. 19-20 in celebrating National Catechetical Sunday, which this year had as its theme, Catechesis and the Proclamation of the Word.
Many parishes in the diocese observed Catechetical Sunday during weekend Masses, with some holding special commissioning ceremonies of their catechists and blessings of parents and guardians, recognizing them for the important role they have in handing on the faith to the next generation.
A diocesan observance of Catechetical Sunday was held in Sacred Heart Church, Trenton, where Msgr. Gregory D. Vaughan, diocesan vicar general and moderator of the curia, was invited to concelebrate the 11 a.m. Mass Sept. 20 with Father Dennis Apoldite, pastor.
Following the homily, Msgr. Vaughan commissioned the parish’s 22 catechists and presented them with certificates, while Father Apoldite gave each catechist with a copy of A Well-Built Faith: A Catholic’s Guide to Knowing and Sharing What We Believe, an 18-chapter book by Joe Paprocki that serves as a resource for learning about and teaching the Catholic faith.
“The catechists are dedicated,” said Linda Teresky, who is in her first full year as coordinator of the parish’s religious education program, which this year has 132 students in grades kindergarten through eighth.
“I feel the catechists really give their all. To have a day designated to honor and recognize them as helpers in the religious formation of children is really a great way to acknowledge them publicly,” said Teresky, who also coordinates the parish’s RCIA.
“I felt the whole essence of the day was connected to the entire Body of Christ at Sacred Heart Parish. Catechesis is not just about the parent, teacher and child, but it’s the whole parish community who enters into that important role in sharing of the faith,” Teresky said.
In his homily, Msgr. Vaughan likened the day’s Gospel, which told of how the “apostles were arguing over who was going to be the greatest,” then noted how people today “on a secular level” have a tendency to measure greatness in terms of success in their marriages, their children or careers.
“Very few of us measure greatness in terms of service and that’s the challenge that Jesus puts before us,” said Msgr. Vaughan. “Just as the women and men whom we are commissioning as catechetical teachers for 2009-2010, all of us are encouraged to step beyond the boundaries of family and friends and give ourselves in a more Christ-like manner to each and every person who we meet along this journey we call life.”[[In-content Ad]]
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Parishes throughout the Diocese of Trenton joined Catholic parishes across the country the weekend of Sept. 19-20 in celebrating National Catechetical Sunday, which this year had as its theme, Catechesis and the Proclamation of the Word.
Many parishes in the diocese observed Catechetical Sunday during weekend Masses, with some holding special commissioning ceremonies of their catechists and blessings of parents and guardians, recognizing them for the important role they have in handing on the faith to the next generation.
A diocesan observance of Catechetical Sunday was held in Sacred Heart Church, Trenton, where Msgr. Gregory D. Vaughan, diocesan vicar general and moderator of the curia, was invited to concelebrate the 11 a.m. Mass Sept. 20 with Father Dennis Apoldite, pastor.
Following the homily, Msgr. Vaughan commissioned the parish’s 22 catechists and presented them with certificates, while Father Apoldite gave each catechist with a copy of A Well-Built Faith: A Catholic’s Guide to Knowing and Sharing What We Believe, an 18-chapter book by Joe Paprocki that serves as a resource for learning about and teaching the Catholic faith.
“The catechists are dedicated,” said Linda Teresky, who is in her first full year as coordinator of the parish’s religious education program, which this year has 132 students in grades kindergarten through eighth.
“I feel the catechists really give their all. To have a day designated to honor and recognize them as helpers in the religious formation of children is really a great way to acknowledge them publicly,” said Teresky, who also coordinates the parish’s RCIA.
“I felt the whole essence of the day was connected to the entire Body of Christ at Sacred Heart Parish. Catechesis is not just about the parent, teacher and child, but it’s the whole parish community who enters into that important role in sharing of the faith,” Teresky said.
In his homily, Msgr. Vaughan likened the day’s Gospel, which told of how the “apostles were arguing over who was going to be the greatest,” then noted how people today “on a secular level” have a tendency to measure greatness in terms of success in their marriages, their children or careers.
“Very few of us measure greatness in terms of service and that’s the challenge that Jesus puts before us,” said Msgr. Vaughan. “Just as the women and men whom we are commissioning as catechetical teachers for 2009-2010, all of us are encouraged to step beyond the boundaries of family and friends and give ourselves in a more Christ-like manner to each and every person who we meet along this journey we call life.”[[In-content Ad]]
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