Catechetical leaders focus on need to teach variety of learners during formation day
December 11, 2025 at 4:20 p.m.
When it comes to faith formation, leaders in Catholic schools and parish religious education programs in the Diocese of Trenton share the same mission: to help children grow closer in relationship to Jesus.
On Nov. 21, principals and parish catechetical leaders, along with school religion coordinators and catechists, came together in the St. Catherine of Sienna Parish complex, Farmingdale, for a day focused on their own formation for this shared mission.
“When we look at how God teaches us, we can extract some principles for teaching others,” said Dr. Joseph White, presenter.
An author, professor, and nationally known and popular speaker on the subject of faith formation, Dr. White’s presentation, titled “Training in God’s Pedagogy: Nurturing the Learner’s Growth,” focused on how educators and catechists can look to Jesus’ example when seeking out new and effective ways of handing on the faith.
Describing this way of teaching as “invitational and person-centered,” he explained that this perspective takes into consideration the unique needs of each individual by utilizing a multisensory approach, embracing the spectrum of multiple intelligences with which people understand and learn about the world around them.
Cecilia Chludzinski, religion coordinator and campus minister for St. Raphael School, Hamilton, was reminded of “just how powerful multisensory learning can be; the more senses we invite into a lesson, the more deeply children connect with and retain what we teach.”
The value of experiencing the day together with colleagues from parochial schools and parishes was a common theme. Mariyam Francis, director of religious education in Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, also appreciated the opportunity to gather with other leaders.
“By coming together,” Francis said, “we strengthen our vision for Catholic education and ensure that our students encounter Christ not only in religious lessons but in the life and culture of the entire school community and religious education community.”
“Catholic school leaders have much to gain from the experience and perspective of their counterparts in parish catechetical ministry,” Milecki said. “When these two groups collaborate, each is strengthened – and our students benefit most.”
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When it comes to faith formation, leaders in Catholic schools and parish religious education programs in the Diocese of Trenton share the same mission: to help children grow closer in relationship to Jesus.
On Nov. 21, principals and parish catechetical leaders, along with school religion coordinators and catechists, came together in the St. Catherine of Sienna Parish complex, Farmingdale, for a day focused on their own formation for this shared mission.
“When we look at how God teaches us, we can extract some principles for teaching others,” said Dr. Joseph White, presenter.
An author, professor, and nationally known and popular speaker on the subject of faith formation, Dr. White’s presentation, titled “Training in God’s Pedagogy: Nurturing the Learner’s Growth,” focused on how educators and catechists can look to Jesus’ example when seeking out new and effective ways of handing on the faith.
Describing this way of teaching as “invitational and person-centered,” he explained that this perspective takes into consideration the unique needs of each individual by utilizing a multisensory approach, embracing the spectrum of multiple intelligences with which people understand and learn about the world around them.
Cecilia Chludzinski, religion coordinator and campus minister for St. Raphael School, Hamilton, was reminded of “just how powerful multisensory learning can be; the more senses we invite into a lesson, the more deeply children connect with and retain what we teach.”
The value of experiencing the day together with colleagues from parochial schools and parishes was a common theme. Mariyam Francis, director of religious education in Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, also appreciated the opportunity to gather with other leaders.
“By coming together,” Francis said, “we strengthen our vision for Catholic education and ensure that our students encounter Christ not only in religious lessons but in the life and culture of the entire school community and religious education community.”
“Catholic school leaders have much to gain from the experience and perspective of their counterparts in parish catechetical ministry,” Milecki said. “When these two groups collaborate, each is strengthened – and our students benefit most.”