“This program is not just about forming the leader, but about forming a person of faith,” said Bonilla, admitting that she believes she could now bring more knowledge and skills to her position as the catechetical leader in St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown. “It helps give you more confidence in sharing your faith with others.” 

Bonilla shared her thoughts after attending a June 10 Mass with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., during which she and her fellow classmates were recognized for having successfully completed the two-year diocesan program and commended for their ministry of teaching and sharing their faith with others.  

“You are the ‘good news,’” Bishop O’Connell said to the parish catechetical leaders, their family members and pastors who concelebrated the Mass in St. Mary Church, Bordentown, part of Mary, Mother of the Church Parish. 

“Your dedication and commitment and readiness to teach the true faith of Christ in its fullness as proposed by the Church can create an energy – an evangelistic energy – that will confront those challenges with strength and steadiness,” he said. 

Bishop O’Connell, in his homily, reminded the PCLs that evangelization is their primary role and how it was at their Baptism into the Catholic Christian community when they were initially commissioned to live their faith in witness to the Gospel of Christ. Then, he continued, “at various moments in our lives, that commission surfaces” such as during the preparation and reception of the Sacraments and the life that follows them.  

“Catholic catechetical programs are such moments in everything they contain and attempt to accomplish in the young lives [of those] they instruct and inspire,” Bishop O’Connell said. “The experience of Church through the gatherings of the Christian community in prayer and service are also such moments in the identification of oneself as Catholic. 

“As catechetical leaders, all these moments are in our hands, with the grace of God, to create, foster and engage in the lives of those God places in our path,” he said. “What a sacred trust has been given to us, to you by and within the Church in our Diocese and in your parishes. What an awesome responsibility! What a profound opportunity!” 

Reminding the PCLs that they cannot back down when they are challenged in their ministry, Bishop O’Connell said, “The catechetical leader leads out of conviction, not out of convenience, and conviction is often not convenient.

“Lead by example with the truth of Jesus Christ at your side,” he said. “Be a witness to Christ and inspire others to do the same. That is the goal of evangelization. That is the purpose of catechesis.” 

Mary McKelvey, the PCL in Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Agnes Parish, Atlantic Highlands, spoke of feeling accomplished, proud and blessed in having completed the PCL program. 

“I loved it,” she said, citing that the various topics that were covered included evangelization and Scripture as well as practical offerings in leading a religious education program. 

“It offered me a great opportunity to sharpen my skills in the Catholic faith. It was very enlightening and educational.”

Denise Contino, director of the diocesan Department of Catechesis, congratulated the program’s first group of 26 PCLs on completing the Parish Catechetical Leadership Program for 2019-2021. 

“These women and men are to be celebrated and supported by all of us as they move forward in ministry and in the continuation of their own personal formation,” Contino said. “The completion of this program brings hope to our Diocese to create multiple opportunities for families to be evangelized and catechized, to bring all those we encounter to Jesus, the path to salvation.”