Catechists learn the power of sharing faith stories at annual formation day
March 26, 2024 at 9:40 a.m.
Nearly 170 catechists from across the Diocese gathered March 23 to gain a deeper spiritual understanding of their ministry and learn practical ideas for handing on the Catholic faith.
The annual catechist formation day, sponsored by the Department of Catechesis, began with Mass in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, and icebreaker activity led by the department’s associate director, Michelle D’Angelo, and director, Denise Contino.
Nationally recognized Catholic speaker Julianne Stanz led a keynote presentation that centered on the importance and power of authentic and personal storytelling in catechesis.
“We have to be holy, happy, healthy Catholics,” explained Stanz, who most recently presented virtually in the Diocese during COVID. “Authenticity is key. There needs to be harmony between what you say and how you live.” She encouraged the catechists to see themselves not just as volunteers, but as “the backbone of the Church,” by virtue of their vocation and ministry.
Stanz, a native of Ireland, is also director of New Evangelization for the Diocese of Green Bay and a consultant to the USCCB Committee on Catechesis and Evangelization.
Throughout her talk, Stanz led the participants to discover the value of each of their own faith stories and guided them into discovering how sharing their stories could help others in their own journeys of faith.
“Faith is personal,” Stanz told them, “But it is not meant to be kept private.”
The participants learned to recognize their own stories through a powerful exercise called “I was…Jesus did…I am.” This activity gave the catechists time to reflect on their own lives, and to formulate and articulate their own stories as they relate to living the Gospel.
Stanz emphasized the importance of the catechist as witness, explaining that “the children will read more about how you feel about Jesus based on the way you talk to them,” as she offered guidance to the participants in how to create “a culture of prayer” in their classrooms, allowing children to give voice to their life experiences in a faith-filled setting.
The catechists participated in small groups, where they were given the opportunity and time to share their own faith stories with one another. They also discussed the gifts of the day, and what they would take with them when they returned to their parishes.
Ann Babinchock, a catechist from St. Mary of the Lakes in Medford, said that she especially appreciated learning from Stanz that it is important for those who hand on the faith to be the “guide on the side,” rather than the “sage on the stage,” reflecting a strategy that focuses on the catechist as a witness who accompanies others.
Babinchock also noted that “It is important to attend and participate in this kind of formation event so we can get reinforced and renewed. Hearing the experiences of others, learning their resourceful responses to various situations, listening to the stories helps us all.”
Denise Contino also reflected on her own takeaway from the day as a diocesan leader. “Julianne asked us today what brings us joy? I immediately thought about the gift of community,” she said. “Being in the company of the catechists from our diocese brings me joy, they are thirsty for formation and hungry to pass on the faith.”
Terry Ginther, diocesan chancellor and executive director of Pastoral Life and Mission, left, chats with a formation day participant.
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Nearly 170 catechists from across the Diocese gathered March 23 to gain a deeper spiritual understanding of their ministry and learn practical ideas for handing on the Catholic faith.
The annual catechist formation day, sponsored by the Department of Catechesis, began with Mass in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, and icebreaker activity led by the department’s associate director, Michelle D’Angelo, and director, Denise Contino.
Nationally recognized Catholic speaker Julianne Stanz led a keynote presentation that centered on the importance and power of authentic and personal storytelling in catechesis.
“We have to be holy, happy, healthy Catholics,” explained Stanz, who most recently presented virtually in the Diocese during COVID. “Authenticity is key. There needs to be harmony between what you say and how you live.” She encouraged the catechists to see themselves not just as volunteers, but as “the backbone of the Church,” by virtue of their vocation and ministry.
Stanz, a native of Ireland, is also director of New Evangelization for the Diocese of Green Bay and a consultant to the USCCB Committee on Catechesis and Evangelization.
Throughout her talk, Stanz led the participants to discover the value of each of their own faith stories and guided them into discovering how sharing their stories could help others in their own journeys of faith.
“Faith is personal,” Stanz told them, “But it is not meant to be kept private.”
The participants learned to recognize their own stories through a powerful exercise called “I was…Jesus did…I am.” This activity gave the catechists time to reflect on their own lives, and to formulate and articulate their own stories as they relate to living the Gospel.
Stanz emphasized the importance of the catechist as witness, explaining that “the children will read more about how you feel about Jesus based on the way you talk to them,” as she offered guidance to the participants in how to create “a culture of prayer” in their classrooms, allowing children to give voice to their life experiences in a faith-filled setting.
The catechists participated in small groups, where they were given the opportunity and time to share their own faith stories with one another. They also discussed the gifts of the day, and what they would take with them when they returned to their parishes.
Ann Babinchock, a catechist from St. Mary of the Lakes in Medford, said that she especially appreciated learning from Stanz that it is important for those who hand on the faith to be the “guide on the side,” rather than the “sage on the stage,” reflecting a strategy that focuses on the catechist as a witness who accompanies others.
Babinchock also noted that “It is important to attend and participate in this kind of formation event so we can get reinforced and renewed. Hearing the experiences of others, learning their resourceful responses to various situations, listening to the stories helps us all.”
Denise Contino also reflected on her own takeaway from the day as a diocesan leader. “Julianne asked us today what brings us joy? I immediately thought about the gift of community,” she said. “Being in the company of the catechists from our diocese brings me joy, they are thirsty for formation and hungry to pass on the faith.”
Terry Ginther, diocesan chancellor and executive director of Pastoral Life and Mission, left, chats with a formation day participant.