Catechists learn how to move forward in faith formation following pandemic
The Archdiocese’s Catechist Convocation, a conference for faith formation leaders and teachers, returned for the first time in-person since 2019 this past weekend.
On Saturday, Nov. 4, approximately 550 parish volunteers, religious and lay people packed the Paramus Catholic High School hallways for the event “Moving Forward in Catechetical Ministry.” Paramus Catholic students welcomed the catechists, directing them to the auditorium to begin the day with worship music and Mass celebrated by Cardinal Joseph Tobin.
The first reading, from Philippians 4: 10-19, was read by Nicole Clermont, ECHO Apprentice at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in River Edge. The Gospel reading, from Luke 16: 9-15, was read by Deacon Asterio Velasco. Both readings addressed the call for Catholics to share the wealth of the Gospel and the blessings of God with others through charity and evangelization.
The Catechetical Office of the Archdiocese of Newark has been hosting the Catechetical Convocation annually for the past several decades. The event’s general purpose is the formation of catechists through prayer, intellectual exchange, and conversations about best practices and shared experiences. The convocation also allows catechists to meet with others who share a common mission.
Following Mass, the bilingual event featured two keynote addresses, 22 “Collaborative Conversation” breakout sessions, and 18 separate exhibitors and vendors.
Episcopal Vicar for Education, Father Stephen Fichter thanked the Catholic school teachers and parish catechists at the celebration for their dedication to faith formation.
One of the keynote speakers was Dr. Joseph Paprocki, the National Consultant for Faith Formation for Loyola Press, a pastoral ministry for over 40 years and author of over 20 books.
Sister Ruth Bolarte, IHM, a member of the Sister Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary from Immaculata, Penna., was also a keynote speaker. Sister Bolarte, a native of Peru, holds degrees in theology from Immaculata University and St. Charles Seminary in Pennsylvania. She completed her thesis project on faith formation for Hispanic/Latino laypeople in the Catholic Church in the United States.
“Our hope is that all who attend return to their parishes and schools feeling affirmed in their vocation as catechists, confident that they have the skills to be effective in ministry and revitalized in their zeal for the work of evangelization,” Patricia Rodriguez, the Director of the Catechetical Office, said.
The convocation was open to all parish catechetical leaders, directors of religious education, Catholic school teachers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, social justice teams and adult spirituality teams, adult faith formation teams, and youth ministers, as well as anyone broadly involved in catechetical ministry from across Essex, Bergen, Hudson, and Union counties.
“Gathering in person for the first time since Covid was life-giving and restorative,” said Rodriguez. “The participants’ joy, gratitude, and eagerness were palpable at the event and expressed by many who attended. People expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate Mass with Cardinal Tobin. Coming together to celebrate the Eucharist was a great source of strength and healing as we look to walk ‘Forward in Faith Together’”.
In 2020, the Catechist Convocation was held virtually over the course of four days on a statewide level. In 2021, the Archdiocese participated in the Southeast Catechist Conference with over 16 other dioceses, in addition to the statewide virtual convocation held in October.
This year, the Catechetical Office introduced new “Collaborative Conversations” to the convocation’s agenda. Working with feedback from the Synod on Synodality and the feedback of previous years’ events, the office wanted to develop a program that would “call on catechists to step up, encourage, and motivate each other,” according to Patricia Rodriquez, Director of the Catechetical Office.
Andrea Valle-Diaz, a 6th-level catechist at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Elizabeth, has taught faith formation for 10 years and attended the Catechist Convocation for the past several years.
“I have been coming to this event for several years, and I love everything about it,” she said. Socializing with other catechists and having conversations about best practices are her favorite aspects of the event.
“I get to see friends from other churches and get new ideas from other catechists and vendors every year,” Valle-Diaz said.
The Collaborative Conversations, offered in both Spanish and English, and facilitated by both catechists and Archdiocesan leaders, featured a variety of topics relevant to the challenges catechists are facing today and included: using digital resources and tools for evangelization, helping families pray and share faith at home, adult faith formation, and service opportunities for teens and families post-pandemic.
