Message from Our
Director of Faith Formation

September 5 , 2010

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO RELIGIOUS EDUCATION?

How many of you can remember memorizing the Baltimore Catechism? And how many of you remember having meaningful discussions with your catechism teachers about the matter of faith? Was the faith you experienced as a child in the classroom taught or shared? Final question: How many of you can actually remember Vatican Council II?

For those of us who are old enough to remember, we can honestly say times have changed! Much time and effort has gone into changing the face of religious education over the past several years. When John and I moved to Rochester over seven years ago, whole community catechesis and generations of faith were coming onto our radar screen. Our diocese received all the background and training in these new areas so that they could be used in our parishes. Here at St John the Evangelist, we did as many parishes did. We tried many of the ideas we had learned and we adapted those that seemed to work, and set aside those that did not.

Today, seven years later, we are continually “tweaking” our program. This year, our grades 1-8 faith formation program will begin using Pflaum’s curriculum. For the first time in my teaching experience, the students will not be using textbooks. Rather, they will receive an 8-page pamphlet each week with Sunday’s Gospel and a piece of related doctrine. There will be current affairs articles that can be discussed in a Christian environment. When these papers go home, parents will be able to read and understand the week’s lesson. And the best part? The students will already have heard Sunday’s Gospel so that when they hear it again on Sunday during Mass, it will make so much more sense! And throughout the lesson, passages from Scripture will be cited that the students and families at home can look up and discuss. Sunday Mass and Scripture – what a beautiful combination!

For years we have been saying that our Eucharistic Liturgy is the source and summit of our faith. In a particular way, we are putting this into practice this year. What we do here on Sundays will now be the central focus of our lessons on Wednesday nights. It’s a win-win situation for the students and parents alike!

Our goal in faith formation this year is two-fold: first, by using this new curriculum we hope to see more families attending Mass on Sundays. Secondly, we hope that more families will begin reading their Bible together. And the ultimate goal? More students, along with their families, will grow in their knowledge and love of Jesus Christ. After all, it’s all about Jesus!

God bless you and your families as you begin a new school year. Always keep Christ in the center of all you do!

Maggie DeStazio
Director of Faith Formation
St. John the Evangelist Parish