Diocese honors catechists as ‘Stewards of God’s Gifts’ in inaugural celebration
By Mary Beth DeLisi and
Jim Shea
Correspondents
Celebrating Catechetical Sunday, the practice of honoring catechists the third Sunday in September, has been a time-honored tradition in parishes around the nation and in the diocese.
This year, the diocese added a new tradition to the celebration, recognizing in a special way catechists who have given five, 10, and 20 or more years of their time instructing others in faith formation. Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski celebrated the Mass on the eve of Catechetical Sunday, at which he blessed and commissioned catechists of the diocese in St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral, Metuchen, Sept. 18. Msgr. Michael J. Corona, executive director of the diocesan Department of Education, Msgr. Richard A. Behl, cathedral rector, and Msgr. Liam A. Minogue, pastor of Mary, Mother of God Parish, Hillsborough, concelebrated the Liturgy.
Referencing this year’s theme, Stewards of God’s Gifts, Msgr. Corona, homilist, said, “Confronting our challenge, the children we teach in our religious education programs by giving our time, our talent and our treasure is the way we make a difference. We must rely on the limitless gifts that God offers us. By using these gifts, we truly become disciples. Stewardship is the disciple’s response of the Lord’s call to follow Jesus.
“You and I are called to be good stewards of the good news,” Msgr. Corona continued.“To be good stewards we are called to jar others’ sense of security. Through catechetical work, we say what is different from what our world does today. We are preparing our next generation. We are preparing the future. Who knows what ministries our children will be called to in the future? The catechist in the house of the Lord is at the heart of who and what we are as stewards of God’s love.”
Before he blessed the catechists, Bishop Bootkoski said, “We recognize so many people who have given their lives, time, talent and treasure toward this wonderful apostolate. Catechists impart to others an initiation and a deeper formation. We thank the Lord for giving us such workers and pray that through the Holy Spirit they will receive the grace in the service of our children.”
As Dr. Mary Kay Cullinan, director of the diocesan Office of Religious Education, read the catechists’ names, Bishop Bootkoski blessed and congratulated them. “Bless you for your years of service and continue to bless you with the qualities of a good steward – faithfulness, dedication, attentiveness, resourcefulness, gratitude, generosity and strength.”
Following the Mass, catechists and their families attended a reception held in the parish center.
Debby Vokral, a catechist who has been serving in Sacred Heart Parish, South Plainfield, for more than 30 years, was delighted to be honored with the special celebration. She said of her ministry, “My experience has been rewarding. I feel that in the past few years, our children are more receptive to religion and they’re very faithful. If we can just keep this up, I think we can look forward to a beautiful next generation.”
Deacon Bill McGann, parish catechetical leader and director of religious education in Our Lady of Peace Parish, Fords, said, “I find [catechesis] exciting, exhilarating and very challenging. I think that teaching children about their faith is probably one of the greatest opportunities a deacon can have. I love the volunteers in my parish. They make our program work. I give them all of the credit in the world for the years they have dedicated to forming the next generation of Catholics in our parish.”
Sister of Jesus Our Hope Donna Marie Lasota, director of religious education in Immaculate Conception Parish, Clinton, said her parish has been “blessed with many faithful men and women to teach our children.”
“They really sacrifice themselves in terms of time and talent,” Sister Donna Marie said.
The following day, in celebrations around the diocese, parishes honored and commissioned their catechists.
One such celebration, held in Queenship of Mary Parish, Plainsboro, focused on the nearly 100 parishioners who serve as catechists. During the Sept. 19 Mass and commissioning ceremony, Father Robert W. Medley, pastor, thanked the men and women for showing their faith and sharing it with others.
“By being stewards of God’s gifts, you bring his vision to others,” Father Medley said.
After praying over the catechists, Father Medley and Angela DiLouie, director of religious education, distributed pins to the volunteers.
Donna McCarthy, a catechist of three
years, said her students’ enthusiasm gets
her excited about sharing her faith.“Just seeing the kids getting
the concepts, it’s nice to be able to try to guide
them,” she said.
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law