By Lois Rogers |Features Editor

On Catechetical Sunday Sept. 15, religious education teachers in parishes throughout the Trenton Diocese were recognized, celebrated and commissioned for the educational year ahead during which they are charged to “Open the Door of Faith” to their students.

That was the theme America’s Catholic bishops set for this year’s celebration. It was taken from the Vatican’s guiding document on the Year of Faith “Porta Fidei” and is a celebration of catechists and all teachers of the Catholic faith.

St. Mary Parish, Colts Neck and St. Mary Parish, Bordentown, were among those honoring their religious education teachers with blessings, prayers and words of encouragement. Other parishes around the diocese, including St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, and St. Luke Parish, Toms River, are celebrating their catechists Sept. 21 and 22.

In Colts Neck, Father Jeffrey E. Lee, pastor, explained to the faithful gathered for the Vigil Mass Sept. 14 that “as we observe Catechetical Sunday, the Church asks us to highlight the role of catechists in our parishes.”

They had been invited to come for this special recognition and to stand as those present raised their hands in prayer for a good and successful year, he said. In his homily, Father Lee spoke of the dedication of the 87 teachers as they strive to instruct some 900 students from first through eighth grade in matters of faith.

He noted, as would his brother priests around the diocese, the importance of these dedicated teachers. While not the primary teachers of their young charges – that role he stressed, belongs to parents – the catechists are “the leaders who help us understand Church teaching” and set the example as they “model in their own lives what it means to be a Roman Catholic catechist.”

He blessed them, calling for God’s grace to be poured through them so that “everyone will become stronger because of your faith,” and thanked parishioners for “enabling all of this to happen.”

In St. Mary Parish, Bordentown, where 24 religious education teachers provide instruction to 410 students, Catechetical Sunday was observed with a special Mass and commissioning service Sept. 14 at the 5 p.m. Mass and a special blessing of all catechists and students and continental breakfast the following day.

“We invite all the catechists and their families to the Mass and reserve seats for them so they can all sit together,” said Donna Bijou, coordinator of religious education. “The commissioning services are done and everyone receives a blessing from Father” – Father Michael J. Burns, pastor. “The fact that all of them are volunteers, giving of their time in a wonderful ministry makes it very important to recognize them and show the appreciation of the parish,” she said.

The overall complement of volunteers is what makes the program a success. “Aside from the teachers, we have 57 volunteers serving in various capacities – hall monitors, classroom aids, supervisors, Confirmation candidates who volunteer. They all contribute to the success of the program,” Bijou said.

Recognizing catechists has its roots in, “On Better Care and Promotion of Catechetical Education,” a document published by the Vatican in 1935 that asks every country to acknowledge the importance of the Church’s teaching ministry and to honor those who serve in it.

For the first few years after Catechetical Sunday was established, national catechetical congresses were held in conjunction with the celebration. Beginning in 1971, the USCCB’s Department of Education began producing material to help parishes celebrate the event on the third Sunday in September on a local level. The USCCB provides materials to help them accomplish that goal.

The observance is rich in opportunity not only for the catechists, but for all, to rededicate themselves to handing on the faith and being witnesses to the Gospel, said Father Douglas Freer, diocesan vicar for Catholic education.

Father Freer noted the sheer scope of the diocesan program – 65,000 children taught by 5,500 catechists in 109 parishes in the four counties of the diocese – Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean.

Himself a catechist, teaching a sixth grade class in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, where he is in residence, Father Freer said the celebration allows everyone to focus on their role in passing on the faith as they witness the Gospel.

“I see it as a chance to point out to the communities how important this ministry is,” he said. The cathedral’s 35 catechists will receive their blessing at the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sept. 22.

“I firmly believe that this ministry is getting more difficult,” said Father Freer. “Passing on the faith in a culture that no longer shares a lot of (Christian) values is a challenge. All you have is an hour and a half to accomplish so much. That is part of the challenge. But as much as it challenges us, it can also be an opportunity.

“One of the most important things is to look at the voices the kids are listening to -- who is offering them hope? ”

When the 70 catechists who instruct 800 youngsters in St. Luke Parish, Toms River, are commissioned during the 11:30 a.m. Mass on the same Day, Mercy Sister Peggy Russell will be making certain that all the details are in order – the certificates honoring those celebrating five year increments, the pins commemorating 15 years of service to be received by catechists Claudette Knox; Linda Matthews, and Marguerite Marion.

Sister Peggy, parish director of religious education for 12 years following a 30-year career as a Catholic school principal, for, among others, St. Charles School, Cinnaminson, and St. Mary School, Perth Amboy – shared her view that “it’s such an important Mass. The catechists give so much. It’s not only the time and talent they give, they always give extra.”