By Dubravka Cortese, Rosemary Daniels and Rose O’Connor | Correspondents

Parishes throughout the Diocese of Trenton joined Catholic parishes across the country the weekend of Sept. 19-20 in appreciating the many women and men who have responded to the Church’s invitation to serve as teachers of the faith.

Photo Galleries: Catechetical Sunday celebration in Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton; St. Catherine, Middletown; Epiphany, Brick

Among those who were recognized on the national observance of Catechetical Sunday, which this year had the theme, “Safeguarding the Dignity of Every Human Person,” serve in Catholic schools, parish religious education, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, adult faith formation, youth ministry and sacramental preparation programs.

At the 10 a.m. Mass in Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Moorestown, Father Damian McElroy, pastor, commissioned and blessed 120 catechists and 50 teen assistants who instruct the 1,200 young people in the parish religious education program as well as the 23 teachers who educate the 450 students in the parish school.

“We are all students and teachers of the faith,” said Father McElroy. “It’s important to recognize our catechists and to encourage them to give their time and use their talents for another year…They have a lot of demands on their time, yet they make the time to pass on our beautiful faith to the next generation. Every catechist is an evangelist teaching by example through leading lives of charity and joy.”

In the Trenton Diocese, there are some 43,182 religious education students and about 3,434 catechists who volunteer to serve in parishes.

‘A Wonderful Program’

The Catechetical Sunday celebration in St. Catherine Church, Middletown, took on a bittersweet tone. In addition to acclaiming the service of their current dedicated catechists, the parish also bid goodbye to seven of their most experienced – Margaret Alfano, Loraine Figueroa, Janet Marinelli, Carol Rakoncza, Edith Reseter, Carol Rotolo and Evelyn Spratford, who have each taught in the parish religious education program at least 20 years.

“All of them are longtime parishioners, maybe 40 or 50 years,” acknowledged Father Daniel Hesko, pastor, as he remarked on the great contributions the seven women have made. “What they have brought to the program is the stability of the past, while also bringing the program into the modern praxis of the Church.”

Retirees Rotolo and Alfano each shared a special memory of their time serving in the religious education program in St. Catherine Parish.

After fondly recalling how she began teaching when her grandchildren were starting kindergarten and first grade, Rotolo smiled as she told of the joy it was to prepare children or the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion each year.

However, she said “people should take more time to teach their own children about their religion.”

Alfano, who will turn 83 in October, shared that she has been involved in religious education since 1964 but has ministered in St. Catherine Parish since the late 1980s.

“I just love seeing the children say their prayers,” she said, then added with a smile, “I might be back.”

‘An Important Ministry’

Catechists serving in Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, also gathered for a special blessing and a reminder of their critical role from their pastor, Msgr. Thomas N. Gervasio.

“Catechists have an important ministry in handing on the faith to the young members of our parish,” he said, reflecting on the Gospel reading and urging the faithful to be ambitious, though “not at the expense of others.”

In his homily, Msgr. Gervasio shared that “leaders must be servants; they must be self-giving and not self-serving.”

Recalling that parents are the primary educators of their children, religious education parents in the parish were eager to share how they continue their classroom lessons at home.

Jen Ridell, who has three children in second, fourth and sixth grades, applauded the parish for its concerted efforts in including religious education students in parish events and activities. 

“The parish has done a good job,” she offered. “They have encouraged the students to become involved in their parish and faith, and the community as a whole.”

Fellow parishioner Barbara Ziedeck, whose son is in the sixth grade in the program, extends the lesson from the classroom to the family home.

“We talk about how God is on our lives every day,” she said. “I have taught him that God is our light, and God provides for everything that we need.”

‘Your Faith Deepens’

Kim Lorentzen, religious education coordinator in Epiphany Parish, Brick, discussed the impact that some 40 parishioners who serve as catechists have on young men and women.

“[They] provide an example of someone living out the faith to the young people of our parish,” she said. “Our faith formation programs offer the catechists the opportunity to share their faith with the youth of the parish.

“It is always important to acknowledge those who are giving of their time and service on behalf of the Church,” Lorentzen said. “It also helps remind everyone of the importance of ministry.”

Dr. Linda Dix, director of religious education in Our Lady of Good Counsel, described sharing faith with parishioners as “such a blessing.”

“It is affirming to know that through involvement in parish and religious education, [children] have become connected to the parish and are excited about it,” she reflected. “They have found a community to be companions on their faith journey.”

For Christine and Paul Kienzle of Moorestown, being a catechist is a family affair. Christine and all three of the couple’s children have been involved in teaching religious education.

“I enjoy teaching,” said Reed, 17, a senior in Moorestown High School, who is in his fifth year of helping with religious education. He currently aids the eighth grade, even helping lead the discussion at times.

“I learn a lot,” he said. “It feels good to be able to help them understand this complicated faith. There [are] a lot of adults who don’t understand it.”

Debora Reca, who currently substitutes for seventh grade, finds being a catechist most rewarding.

“Your faith deepens as you profess the faith to others,” she said. “It is as if you are paying back to the Lord for all your blessings.”