'Responsible Role'

Catechists find teaching lessons of Catholic faith a worthwhile endeavor

By JOHN WOODS

In the classrooms of parish religious education programs across the archdiocese, a corps of some 10,000 catechists stand on the front lines in the effort to bring the Catholic faith alive for students from preschool through high school. Their numbers are made even greater by those who share the faith with adults.

"I can't imagine a more responsible role for an adult Catholic today," said Sister Mary Elizabeth Kelleher, O.P. "They are handing on the faith as they know it."

Sister Mary Elizabeth had served for 17 years as director of catechist formation in the archdiocese before she retired from full-time work in August; she continues to work on special projects for the Catechetical Office. She said in an interview that catechists must be people of a well-formed faith who can master the skills of basic teaching.

The overwhelming majority of catechists in the archdiocese are volunteers - on the order of 97 percent, according to Sister Mary Elizabeth's estimate - and about nine out of 10 are women. A high percentage are lay persons.

Sister Mary Ann Scherer, C.S.A., coordinator of religious education at Transfiguration parish in lower Manhattan, said parishioners with the potential to become good catechists view God as a priority in their lives. They also are regulars at Mass, "and seem to enjoy being there," she said. Other key factors are how they relate to other people and their ability to manage a classroom.

"If they know what they are doing, there is no discipline problem," said Sister Mary Ann, who added that an ability to listen to suggestions and incorporate them into the catechetical lessons they teach is another important trait.

At Transfiguration, Sister Mary Ann has been fortunate to work with an experienced team of catechists. Besides the stability that they provide for the overall program, veteran catechists who continue to improve also are recognized by their students. "It says something to the kids: 'I like what I'm doing. I'm still here - even though I could have moved on,' " she said.

One of Transfiguration's young veterans is Vanessa Leung, who is in her 10th year of teaching the fifth-graders in the religious education program. As an Asian-American, she told CNY that she is cognizant of presenting a positive role model for her students.

"I want to put something in them that they can put in their life and follow," she said.

Some of Ms. Leung's early catechetical students are now in college, and she said that there are things that they still recall from the lessons she taught them. "Seeing the impact you can have on these kids is so rewarding," she said.

Haydee Castillo teaches three levels of students (third and sixth grades and high school confirmation) over two days each week at St. Margaret Mary parish in the Bronx. Watching her students face the daily pressures and problems present in their lives "reminds me of how I struggled when I was little," she said.

"I put myself at their age to understand them," she said. "That helps me to grow more."

The archdiocese encourages catechists to continue their own training through its catechist formation program which offers certification on two levels. Each year some 300 to 400 classes in spirituality, theology, religion teaching skills, Scripture and a host of pertinent electives are given at sites across the archdiocese. Once a catechist begins attending the classes, the normal reaction is "I've learned," said Sister Mary Kelleher.

Bill Bishop, a fourth-year catechist who teaches seventh-graders at Immaculate Conception parish in Tuckahoe, sees his service as a way to repay the archdiocese for the superior education that he received as a student at Cathedral Preparatory Seminary and College, and for a year at St. Joseph's Seminary in Dunwoodie.

Thinking back to his first days as a catechist, Bishop remembers wondering whether he would be able to get his message across to students. He also recalls getting support and practical advice from Lynn Callahan, the coordinator of religious education at Immaculate Conception, whenever he needed it.

These days, Bishop tells his charges that he is happy to have the opportunity to play a part in passing along the same Catholic faith that was passed along to him years ago.

"I tell them that you have to express your Catholicism outside this classroom," he said.

Fourth in a Series

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