PARISH BULLETIN: Religious Education
In Praise of Parish Catechetical Leaders
Cecelia P. Regan |  Fall 2009

Parish Catechetical Leaders are the backbone of parish religious formation efforts, giving their time and talent freely and receiving back the blessing of knowing they are helping faith come alive.

It’s a little over a year since I was appointed diocesan director of the Office for Catechesis in my home diocese. I have had the most life-giving visits with the parish catechetical leaders of almost seventy parishes (so far). I’ve been invigorated and encouraged by what is happening in these faith communities and I need to sing the praises of those who are laboring in God’s vineyard, especially as we approach the celebration of Catechetical Sunday on September 20.

“The single most critical factor in an effective parish catechetical program is the leadership of a professionally trained parish catechetical leader” (National Directory for Catechesis). Their responsibilities are monumental as defined by the job description outlined in the NDC. Their particular title more accurately reflects the ministry they lead in their parish community—from director of religious education/for-mation to pastoral associate for Christian formation to parish coordinator of catechesis, etc. We tend to take parish catechetical leaders for granted, because they plan, organize, and evaluate behind the scenes, but they are dynamos of faith that “God has chosen to use [as] human instruments to ensure the growth of the faith received in Baptism” (NDC).

Parish catechetical leaders and their catechetical staffs are doing the most amazing things. They truly believe that they have been called by God to do the ministry of putting their parish community into relationship with Jesus Christ. They pray hard for the families who have too much on their plates and are having trouble making God a priority in their lives. They wake in the middle of the night worrying about the dangers of the parking lot at dismissal. They work too hard, too long, for too little, and yet they love what they do and wouldn’t give it up for a minute. PCLs are the best multi-taskers I know. They raise their own families, are caregivers for elderly parents, while they administer religious education programs for hundreds of families and children, teach parents how to be the primary religious educators of their children, and continue their own faith formation. Many times, they are the first people in a parish to get to know families on an individual basis and listen to their stories. They comfort, support, nourish, counsel, and model faith. They organize collections of food and clothing for those in need and pray for them too. They realize that there is always more to do and they think that what they do is never enough.

Working hours for parish catechetical leaders are far from normal. Most work days, evenings, and weekends. There are quite a few who have “other” full-time jobs and spend their time off working in the parish. To do this ministry, they need understanding, supportive families who are willing to chip in at home. In fact, without that encouragement, this ministry is very difficult. So “hurray” for the families who see God’s work alive in those they love.

PCLs are responsible for the prayerfulness, joy, and community that bring us together during sacramental celebrations. They are big on details and rely on the Holy Spirit to guide their work for the greater glory of God! I wish I could tell you that every day they work for the Lord is a happy one. Dealing with those who are hurting and marginalized from our church can be very draining. And yet, they come back day after day because they love God and hope to lighten their burdens of God’s people by helping them come to know Jesus Christ.

Angela and Catherine

Angela and Catherine (all names have been changed) are two middle-aged professional women who are PCLs in different parishes of our diocese. Catherine is a mom who works full time in the parish school and coordinates the religious education program for 250 children in two different neighboring parishes that have been clustered under one pastor. Angela works full time outside the parish, is the mom of three children, and coordinates a Sunday religious education program for 150 children. Both are volunteers! Angela has recruited Michelle to help her organize and keep records. Catherine has recruited Sabrina, who works full time outside the parish, so there will be a familiar face from the sister parish, but Sabrina is traveling from New Jersey to Rhode Island every other weekend to help her son start a business. Their program is two evenings during the week. Neither program has secretarial support staff—the PCLs do all the record keeping, organizing, and planning themselves. In their free time (I know, you’re chuckling too...), they are pursuing certification as PCLs in our diocese and taking online theology courses. Both Angela and Catherine have a vision of putting their children and families into relationship with Jesus Christ and are doing all they can to make it happen. Finances are a challenge in their parishes, but you would never know it by talking to them. Angela has begun a service ministry for her confirmation candidates that includes cooking meals for families in Ronald McDonald House. Because of their work schedules, they are unable to attend diocesan PCL enrichment opportunities, so we travel to their parishes to offer them support and nourishment whenever they are available.

Donna and Lauren

Although Donna and Lauren minister in large parishes in two different counties of our diocese, their parish experience of faith formation is similar. Each parish offers three models of faith formation:  a weekly school model for children, a once-a-month family/intergenerational model with parental home instruction, or a two-week summer model for children that includes four seasonal family gatherings during the school year. In addition, both offer a vacation Bible school. Families have the opportunity to choose the model that best fits their lives and schedules, and not surprisingly, there is a waiting list for the family model. To an outsider, the various models might seem like an organizational nightmare, but for Donna and Lauren, it’s ministry at its best! Offering a choice of three models respects the reality of family living and invites parents to develop their own faith. Donna and Lauren speak with enthusiasm about the growth in Mass attendance, community, and family service. The lack of space is one of their biggest problems, since both parishes minister to over 1,000 children and their families, and in Donna’s parish, collaborating with the Catholic school is a challenge. While raising their own families they have completed diocesan PCL certification, are growing in their own spirituality, and continue to find ways for people of all ages in their parishes to come to know Christ.

Maureen and Cathy

Maureen and Cathy are co-directors of religious education in a very large suburban parish. They offer evenings of reflection for parents of children in their school model of religious education and a very successful program for children with disabilities. One of their major concerns is the large number of children who are endangered by allergies to food and other substances that require treatment if exposed. They put in place our diocesan guidelines that restrict contact with the allergens. In addition, they developed a job description and salary scale for an on-site registered nurse, who would manage attendance, health emergencies, and the use of Epi Pens and medication. They did a great job of explaining to parents the need for a nurse when the children were gathered in the parish, and increased the fees by just $5.00 per family to cover her salary, without many complaints. They are challenged by a recent change of pastor and are trying as best they can to get to know him and his priorities. It’s been a little bumpy, but their faith and ministry to the community keep them going. Cathy’s husband is fighting cancer—the prayers of the children and the loving concern of the catechists sustain her. As in Cathy’s case, most PCLs discover that they receive much more than they give.

A community of catechetical leaders

About two years ago our bishop established a quasi-parish in accordance with canon 516 for the Korean community of our diocese. Last March my assistant and I were invited to give their catechists a crash course in planning, preparation, and the vocation of the catechist. Truth be told, I think I learned more than my students did. This community has only forty children in faith formation, but fourteen catechists showed up for the four-hour Saturday gathering. I was taken aback by their faith and love of God. They were hungry to make things better for the children and their families. They share the responsibility of running and organizing the program by rotating jobs every year. Some of the seasoned catechists take on the role of mentor to the younger catechists, guiding them and helping in the weekly gatherings. Another catechist, who is well versed in theology, acts as “principal.” He works directly with the children and helps to catechize families, communicating with parents and children in Korean and English, depending on the need. All of these dedicated people work full time during the week and devote their Sundays to religious education before attending Mass with their parish community. Perhaps what struck me most was their deep spirituality and desire to pass on the faith. They realized that they are the bridge between two cultures: the American culture, into which the children are being assimilated, and the Korean culture and customs of the adults. These catechists strive to meet the children where they are and to honor the traditions of their parents and grandparents, hoping they will be drawn together in the faith of Jesus Christ.

With heartfelt gratitude

These are only a few stories of PCLs making faith come alive in our church—there are many others. Parish catechetical leaders have been formed by their own profound journey of faith. They live what they believe. They are Eucharist for others and they strive to bring about the definitive aim of catechesis: “… to put people not only in touch but in intimacy, with Jesus Christ" (Pope John Paul II, Catechesi Tradendae, On Catechesis in Our Time). So, pastors, clergy, parish staffs, parishioners and children, say a prayer for your parish PCLs. Thank them for their good works and for the personal sacrifice they make to draw us all closer to the Lord. They love God and neighbor and prove it with their lives. What would our church be without them? Deo gratias, thanks be to God.

Cecelia P. Regan is the director of the Office for Catechesis in the Diocese of Metuchen, N.J. Previously, she was the director of religious education at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Old Bridge, N.J., where she ministered for twenty years.