A New Year in Catechesis
Catechetical Sunday theme a reminder of one’s role as a witness to faith BY JENNIFER MAURO Managing Editor
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atechesis takes dedication – something Mary Mykityshyn witnessed firsthand when Hurricane Isaias swept through New Jersey Aug. 4.
With trees and powerlines down across the state, parents used phones and textbooks to make sure their children did
not fall behind in Mykityshyn’s summer religious education program. Six hundred children took part in St. Gabriel Parish’s
online summer courses, and they would not be deterred. “One parent took her girls and went to a hotel in Philadelphia,” said Mykityshyn, parish catechetical leader in the Marlboro parish. “She later texted me to say the girls had gone online, done all their work and made a little adventure Continued on 42
THE YEAR OF THE DOMESTIC CHURCH, 40 RETHINKING CATECHESIS MODELS, 41 NEW PCLS, 43-46
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A New Year in Catechesis
COVID, catechesis and the Domestic Church
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arlier this year, the COVID-19 pandemic altered the way we encounter one another, our families, friends and parish communities.
I miss being in community at my parish, going to Mass on Sunday, seeing familiar faces, chatting with fellow parishioners and attending the monthly Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast. The simple encounters that we all took for granted have changed. We are all feeling a sense of loss. In reflecting on the definition of Catechesis – “to echo the Word of God” – I realize these times are presenting us with a unique opportunity – one in which families can grow closer to one another and in their relationship with God. Is this the year of the “Domestic Church”? Whether your child attends Catholic School or an after-school religious education program, the influence of the family and how the family practices the faith will have a more profound impact than what a catechist can achieve in an in-person classroom setting or through a virtual platform. “Family catechesis precedes, accompanies, and enriches other forms of instruction in the faith. Parents have the mission of teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2226) The Church celebrates Catechetical Sunday each year in September. This year, we celebrate on Sept. 20. Each year a theme is chosen. Our theme for 2020 is “I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you.” The work of catechesis is an invitation to experience and encounter the new life given by Christ himself. So, who are the catechists? By virtue of our Baptism, we are all called to be catechists! Parents are encouraged to remember that they are the primary educators of the faith for their children. The grace we receive in the Sacraments provides the strength to hand on the faith to others, to be catechists. Many
A message from
DENISE CONTINO Director of Catechesis
a family and making a spiritual communion? Do you read Bible stories to your children? Do you have reminders in your home that you are Catholic – for example, a Crucifix hanging above a doorway? Are you praying before meals? Adding a prayer, perhaps a daily Rosary, to your family life can be the first step in catechizing your children and the entire family. Our Catholic faith is filled with traditions. When families celebrate the First Holy Communion of a child, the entire family gathers together. We celebrate in the name of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for us to enter eternal life. Take this celebration of the Eucharist into your home, and talk to your children about the grace we receive in the Sacrament.
In this file photo, a young catechist colors a picture related to his religious education lesson in St. Mary Parish, Colts Neck. Ken Falls photo times, I have heard a parent or family member say, “I cannot teach my child the faith.” This is where Catholic School and religious education can assist the parent and family. The relationship between the religious education teacher/catechist and parent is a partnership. The Church is called to support parents in the formation of their children. Parents, I encourage you to examine the faith practices in your homes. Does your family attend Mass together? In these challenging times, if you cannot go to Mass in person because of the pandemic, are you watching Mass at home as
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“The Church is called to support parents in the formation of their children.” “I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you.” This is a call to all catechists to continue passing on the faith with love and courage. It is also a reminder for parents to live out their mission of family life, to teach and practice the faith with their children. This is the Domestic Church! A family that prays together stays together. Take some time and reflect on your own family and how you practice the faith at home. Remember, it is never too late to begin a relationship with the Lord! He is waiting for us to encounter him – even when we are far apart physically from our parish communities. Denise Contino is director of the diocesan Department of Catechesis.
A New Year in Catechesis
Continuing to Catechize Religious education teaching models may be changing, but mission holds true BY JENNIFER MAURO
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Managing Editor
ilar Acosta is facing a unique task: coordinating both the religious education programs and adult faith formation in not just one, but three languages – English, Spanish and Polish.
Getting families involved will be key to success, noted Acosta, parish catechetical leader in Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Lakewood. “This is the time to implement the domestic Church,” she said. “We have to evangelize our people. They have to rely so much on the Catechism to teach the faith, so we have to bring them back and teach the domestic Church family … we’ll see where they’re at, and we’ll have to walk with them.”
“We’re not creating theologians; we are creating disciples.” Acosta is among the dozens of religious education teachers and volunteers across the Diocese who will be handing on the faith in new ways this year as the coronavirus pandemic continues. To assist in that process, the diocesan Department of Catechesis sent out guidelines in August so parishes could determine the religious education model best for their communities in the 20202021 year. “There are various ways that parishes could offer religious education this year; it’s not a one-size-fits-all,” said Denise Contino, diocesan director of catechesis.
MORE ONLINE For updates on religious education or catechetical resources, visit the diocesan Department of Catechesis at https://dioceseoftrenton.org/ catechesis
Those models are: supported homestudy, where parish catechetical leaders and volunteers offer parents support; hybrid, where home study includes limited in-person sessions; family catechesis, learning activities for the entire family, in-person support to parents, and in-person check-ins to receive guidance in instruction; remote learning with video instruction, or in-person catechesis. “We must be very creative, have backup plans and provide the support that many families need,” said Viviana Bonilla, PCL in St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown.
ment reflected in the religious education models a growth opportunity. “In a way, I’m a little excited about the family catechesis, because I get to see where people really are in their faith.” Contino agreed, saying, “As a parent, you are your child’s first catechist. You could learn along with your children. Kids are only going to practice the faith if it’s from the family.” Michelle M. Doré, coordinator of religious education in St. Charles Borromeo, Cinnaminson, has already heard positive news when it comes to the remote-learning model. Parents reached out to her after this summer’s religious education classes, explaining how they read chapters with their children and talked about the lessons as a family. “They felt they were going back to the basic teachings of Jesus Christ,” she said. Continued on 42
FAMILY FAITH With new technology and teaching methods key to passing on the faith during COVID-19, the diocesan Department of Catechesis offered coaching for virtual platforms over the summer. There were videos for catechists, training for Google Classroom with a Google expert, and a workshop for how to keep children engaged online, to name a few. In addition, most religious education series software utilized by parishes have training and teaching tools available through their online parent portals. Acosta calls the increased family involveParents and grandparents are among a child’s first catechists, which is why learning and practicing faith at home are key. John Blaine photo
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Proclaim the Word again, again Continued from 39
out of it. That's dedication.” Dedication and a willingness to serve are among the God-given gifts utilized by catechists in the Catholic Church, whether they are parents and families, parish catechists, priests, or men and women religious.
“In catechesis … we have rediscovered the fundamental role of the first announcement.” With that in mind, this year’s Catechetical Sunday, set for Sept. 20, takes its theme from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians: “I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you.” Held every year on the third Sunday in September, Catechetical Sunday acknowledges the importance of catechesis and honors those
teaching the Catholic faith. “The Diocese of Trenton is especially blessed by those who have committed themselves to deepening their own faith as they enrich the life and faith of those they teach in our parish-based religious education and adult faith formation programs,” Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., said in this year’s message recognizing catechists. Noting their collaboration with the diocesan Departments of Catechesis and Evangelization and Family Life, Bishop O’Connell said, “Our lay catechists not only instruct in and impart the Catholic faith – they inspire!” Catechetical Sunday traces its roots to 1935, when the Vatican published a document (“On the Better Care and Promotion of Catechetical Education”) urging every country to recognize the importance of passing on the Catholic faith and honor those who teach it. In the early 1970s, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops began publishing materials to aid and encourage
FOR MORE INFORMATION Catechetical Sunday materials are available from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Visit www.usccb.org/committees/evangelizationcatechesis/leadership-institute-catechetical-sunday-2020
parishes to celebrate Catechetical Sunday at the local level. Traditionally, on Catechetical Sunday, catechists are formally commissioned for ministry, and they rededicate themselves to this mission in their community. With COVID-19 restrictions in place, these commissions may take on different forms this year, but the importance is in no way diminished. For as Pope Francis said in “Evangelii Gaudium,” “In catechesis … we have rediscovered the fundamental role of the first announcement or kerygma, which needs to be the center of all evangelizing activity and all efforts at Church renewal … it is the principal proclamation, the one which we must hear again and again in different ways, the one which we must announce one way or another throughout the process of catechesis, at every level and moment.” Similarly, in his 2020 Catechetical Sunday message, Auxiliary Bishop Robert Barron of Los Angeles, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis, called catechesis a “beautiful ministry … to further actualize the Body of Christ in our world.” Quoting this year’s theme, he said, “May our lives be instruments of faith, which we have ‘received from the Lord [and…] handed on to you.’”
Creative options considered for religious ed Continued from 41
LEARNING CURVES Bonilla admits she sees challenges ahead, specifically technology and communication. The St. Anthony of Padua Parish religious education program will be online this year, and Bonilla has English- and Spanish-speaking communities to catechize. “Some families do not have an electronic device at home, access to the Internet, or it is difficult for them to use these technological tools,” she explained. “In addition, the main means of communication becomes e-mail. However, due to the stress that many families may currently be experiencing, families may not be as
attentive to this information.” She remains optimistic, however, saying learning from home will hopefully bring parents and children closer together in faith and establish a presence of God in their home. “Changes are stressful, but we can always get good things out of these experiences,” she said. Acosta’s religious education program is also offered in English and Spanish. While the children speak English, many of the parents only speak Spanish. So the parish plans to offer English materials for the children and Spanish for parents, enabling them to work together. The materials available through the
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Diocese, Acosta said, have been great for bilingual families. “The lessons are backto-back English and Spanish – very simple, not complicated.” Similar materials will be accessible for the Polish-speaking adult faith formation classes as well. SAFETY FIRST The successful summer program in St. Charles Borromeo Parish is the basis for the fall classes, which will utilize Google Meets and in-person lessons, Doré said. With about 70 students enrolled in the summer, “I got to see what worked and what did not work. “Having specific guidelines for online Continued on 46
A New Year in Catechesis
New catechetical leaders set to serve in parish ministry
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number of parishes around the Diocese are welcoming new staff to oversee their religious education programs and other catechetical offerings as teaching lessons move to new models this year during the coronavirus pandemic. These catechetical leaders bring to their positions strong academic credentials, diverse experiences in ministry and an unwavering desire to bring children, men and women into a deeper relationship with Jesus.
Advocacy champion urges participation in Church In preparing for the new academic year and religious education in Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Lakewood, Pilar Acosta is spearheading a hybrid in-person and Pilar Acosta at-home program that involves families. However, the first challenge, Acosta acknowledged, is “to bring people back.” As a commissioned lay ecclesial minister – a distinction she received from the Diocese of Trenton in 2007 – Acosta said encouraging people to return to regular participation in the Church “has been my concern since day one.” Acosta earned a master’s degree in theology and a bachelor’s degree in sociology at Georgian Court University, Lakewood. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in forensic psychology earned from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, N.Y. A passion for helping impoverished children led her to establish the Building Bridges/Construyendo Puentes program. She traveled to the Dominican Republic to help create the Hogar de Niños Semillas de Fe foundation in 2012, which tends to the poorest children in deficient environments. She is also former diocesan associate director of the Hispanic Apostolate. As the catechetical leader, she oversees religious education and adult faith
formation for the parish’s diverse community, which consists of English, Polish and Spanish parishioners. With the pandemic keeping faithful away from in-person worship and involvement in the parish, Acosta is “concerned people may get detached, including families who tend to get a little comfortable … it’s definitely a challenge to reconnect people with the live Church.” ~ By EmmaLee Italia, contributing editor
For Angelo, serving in catechesis a surprise, gift For someone who never thought that God would call her to serve in catechetical ministry, Michelle Angelo has brought a lot of knowledge and Michelle Angelo experience to St. Catharine Parish, Holmdel, where she coordinates, organizes and supervises the religious education program with more than 800 students in first through eighth grades. She holds a graduate certificate in religious education from Felician College, Lodi, and she previously served in three parishes in several religious education capacities. Angelo holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Kean University, and her earlier work was in education. But her path in catechesis was a surprise, she said, explaining that she ceased prac-
ticing her faith for more than 10 years after considering her Confirmation as a “graduation.” Her reintroduction to the Church came through meeting an Evangelical Christian who asked questions about her Catholic beliefs. “In trying to defend my faith, I ended up learning so much more about the Church. I fell in love with Jesus and my Catholic faith in a whole new and deeper way,” she recalled. “This deeper love for the faith gave me the desire to want to share it with others. I wanted everyone to experience this love, too,” she said. She became a catechist after reading a bulletin announcement in her home parish, St. John the Apostle, Clark. “It is an amazing blessing to serve in catechetical ministry. I love the Lord and his Church and to be able to come to work each day with the opportunity to share that love with others is wonderful,” Angelo said. ~ By Mary Stadnyk, associate editor
Colombia native flourishing in St. Anthony, Hightstown When Viviana Bonilla arrived in New Jersey three years ago, the first thing she sought out was a Catholic parish to call home. Not only did she find spiritual guidViviana Bonilla ance in St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown, the 33-yearold Colombia native took on many roles in the Office of Religious Education, where she worked with both the English and Spanish-speaking communities. For the past eight months, she has been at the Continued on 44
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A New Year in Catechesis
Leaders get ready for unique year helm as the parish catechetical leader. “I know that God has guided my path and has a purpose in letting me share my knowledge and skills for the good of my community,” she said. “I feel blessed.” In the parish, Bonilla is responsible for coordinating religious education for grades one through eight and managing and recruiting fellow teachers and volunteers. She also supports the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults process. Bonilla, who is married to her husband, Jonathan, holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Fundación Universitaria San Martin and a master’s in project management from Escuela de Administración de Negocios, both in Bogotá, Colombia. She holds certifications in Christian spirituality and prayer and the Catholic faith and has been enrolled in English as a Second Language courses in Mercer County Community College, West Windsor, for three years. ~ By Jennifer Mauro, managing editor
‘All for the Glory of God,’ Forked River’s new CRE says “Faith, Hope and Love.” These are the three elements Cindy Craft will use to “build a strong foundation” in her new position as coordinator of religious education in St. Pius Cindy Craft X Parish, Forked River. Craft began as a youth minister in 2008 in St. Mary Parish, Barnegat; she became the director of religious education there in 2014. Since that time, she has completed her bachelor of science degree in religious studies from Georgian Court University, Lakewood. Married to Deacon Philip Craft for 37 years, they have three children and six grandchildren. She recalled being involved
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with her children’s faith formation since they were young, saying that when she recognized the need for them “to expand their knowledge in the faith beyond Confirmation,” she was inspired get into youth ministry work. As the coordinator of religious education, Craft will be responsible for developing and implementing the curriculum for grades one through eight. In addition, she will oversee the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults process. While the pandemic may bring some hurdles, Craft is determined to persevere in her role. “Each day continues to bring new challenges, but I am tackling them one by one and reminding myself daily that it is all for the Glory of God.” ~ By Matthew Becker, digital and social media coordinator
St. Mary catechist happy to help kids learn faith When it comes to teaching young children about the Catholic faith, Julia Cullen’s main mission is to help them recognize God’s presence in their lives. “It should be our mission [as cate-
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chists] to show them how important it is to practice their faith, to believe in the Word and be the best person they can be, treating others as they would want to be treated,” she said. Julia Cullen Cullen has been an active member of St. Mary Parish, Colts Neck, for the past eight years, serving as a reader for Mass, as a first- and second-grade catechist, and by helping with the Summer Intensive Religious Education program. In July, she became the new pastoral coordinator of faith formation/elementary education, overseeing the parish religious education program for students in grades one through six. Her responsibilities include preparing students for the Sacraments of Penance and First Holy Communion, coordinating the Children’s Liturgy of the Word and helping with the intergenerational program for students and their families. Cullen holds a certificate of completion in Introduction to the Catholic Faith and Introduction to the New Testament from the McGrath Institute for Church Life. She
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A New Year in Catechesis
Loving Father, pour forth your Holy Spirit upon me that I may be a good catechist of your Word, your Son, Jesus Christ. Render my mind and heart so open, receptive and responsive to your Holy Spirit that, like Mary, I might become a living instrument of your Word to others. Help me to be a faithful witness to Gospel life so that your Church may become ever more alive. Let the fire of your love so enkindle my heart that I may be an instrument of drawing others to love of you in the Church of your Son. I ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. is currently enrolled in the Diocese’s twoyear Catechetical Leadership Program. ~ By Mary Stadnyk, associate editor
St. Hedwig parishioner teaches children to live faith Walter Czajkowski is no stranger around St. Hedwig Parish. He and his six siblings were raised in the 116-year-old North Trenton parish that serves native Pol- Walter Czajkowski ish and Polish-American faithful, they attended the parish grammar school that was staffed mostly by the Felician sisters, and he currently serves as a reader and extraordinary minister of
Holy Communion. Now as the new parish catechetical leader, he places priority on making sure that “our children understand the importance of God in their lives. “I want our students to respond to God’s goodness by knowing their faith and striving to live it as well,” he said. Czajkowski holds a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy and theology with minors in communication and psychology from St. Mary College, Orchard Lake, Mich. He served in two Catholic schools in the Diocese of Trenton: the former Holy Cross School, Trenton, and Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville. In planning for the upcoming catechetical year, Czajkowski said he plans to draw upon his own Polish-Catholic heritage as well as inspiration from the Second Vatican Council document “Lumen Gentium” and Pope John Paul II, who “talked about the family being the domestic Church.” “What I’m trying to do is get the children and their families to see that they are connected to one another and to the Church by doing Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy,” he said. “By nurturing what is true and good and helpful, we will help strengthen the roots of our Catholic faith.” ~ By Mary Stadnyk, associate editor
Experienced PCL joins Farmingdale team Kay Hetherington, the new parish catechetical leader in St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Farmingdale, has more than two decades’ experience in faith formation and religious education. In addition working in the Diocese of Paterson, she has served as a catechist in St. Joseph Parish, Keyport, (now part of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Keyport), and St. Leo the Great Parish, Lincroft. Hetherington earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and biblical literature, then a master’s degree in student development with an emphasis in pastoral counseling, both from Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, Calif. She worked in higher education before entering into full-time ministry as director of Nazareth Farm, a Catholic
retreat program in rural West Virginia for high school and college-age students. St. Catherine of Siena Parish plans to open this fall with a catechist-led, virtual format, which parish staff see as an opportunity to expand the reach of catechesis. Among the challenges: transitioning the religious education program to an online learning platform, though the parish made technology upgrades to the parish center and implemented virtual training for volunteer catechists and aides. “We are seizing the moment!” parish pastoral assistant Laura Randazzo said, also expressing her joy of having Hetherington on board. “[St. Catherine pastor] Father Angelito Anarcon and I are so pleased to have Kay serve in the role of PCL. Her breadth of experience in religious education is a compliment and wonderful asset to the program.” In a previous interview with The Monitor, Hetherington – the mother to five grown children – explained her goals for religious education. “My desire is for kids to realize they make a difference to the Church now,” she said. ~ From staff reports
Former youth minister returns to N.J. to continue passing on the faith Burlington County native John Klarmann is returning to familiar territory, joining the staff of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Maple Shade, as the new parish catechetical John Klarmann leader in September. But the range of experiences he brings to the position has come by way of his serving as a missionary, working in youth ministry and evangelization, and having had his own “profound encounter with Christ” as a college student in Montclair State University, Montclair. “That was where I fell in love with our faith and with Christ,” he said of his alma Continued on 46
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A New Year in Catechesis
Sharing joy Continued from 45
mater, where in 2015 he earned a bachelor of science degree in physical education with a concentration in physical activity in an educational setting. His passion for the faith also led him and his wife, Ariel – who were married in 2016 in Sacred Heart Church, Mount Holly – to become missionaries with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students at the University of Maine. After four years in Maine, the young couple moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, where Klarmann became director of youth discipleship and evangelization in St. Philip the Apostle Parish. Ariel took on the role of parish adult faith formation assistant. This year, the couple adopted their son, Peter James, who is seven months old. ~ By Mary Stadnyk, associate editor
Earning master’s during COVID, Hopewell PCL ready for online teaching A few months ago, Lisa Ann M. Limongello was happy earning a master’s degree in theological studies from Loyola University Maryland, Baltimore. But she was concerned about Lisa Ann M. the COVID-19 panLimongello demic and the impact it might have on the future. So she placed her concerns before God in prayer, and now “here I am,” said Limongello, newly named parish catechetical leader for the linked parishes of St. James Parish, Pennington; St. George Parish, Titusville, and St. Alphonsus Parish, Hopewell. Limongello will serve as director of religious education, work with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and oversee adult faith formation. She admitted that accepting the position during a global pandemic has come with immediate challenges that won’t have permanent or
simple solutions. “Our world is changing every day … and we have to constantly reimagine our programs and revisit best practices,” she said. One idea for developing a virtual religious education program is based on her own experience from last spring, when she was a college student, tutor and facilitator, which was accomplished “all while sitting on my couch looking at a computer screen.” “I know how it felt to be on both sides of the classroom, so I can empathize with our families and catechists,” she said. “My goal is to make virtual learning as informative and energizing as I can.” ~ By Mary Stadnyk, associate editor
Middletown parish welcomes seasoned PCL With more than 25 years of catechetical experience, Carol Mulkeen has begun her journey as the new director of religious education in St. Catherine Laboure Parish, Middletown. Beginning in 1994, Mulkeen served as a catechist in her home parish, St Mary, Colts Neck. After earning her master’s degree in theology from Immaculate Conception Seminary, School of Theology, Seton Hall University, South Orange, in 2016, she became the director of religious education in Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Agnes Parish, Atlantic Highlands, where she served until her new appointment in Middletown. Mother to three children, Justine, Nicholas and Sean, Mulkeen said she has been actively involved in catechesis since her children were young. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mulkeen is formulating a plan for catechesis that is both sage and engaging – one that is likely to include online learning. She believes, however, that “community is a vital part of the religious education experience.” “In-person education is essential to children, and we are committed to returning to weekly in-person classes as soon as it is safe to do so,” she said, adding, “It is such a privilege to be part of the St. Catherine Laboure Parish family, and I am looking forward to my years here.” ~ By Matt Becker, digital and social media coordinator
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New ideas Continued from 42
learning is essential, for example students need to be home, must have their video on, no pictures or emoji’s in their place,” she continued. “I found having no more than 15 students meeting online is a good number.” For programs such as Doré’s, the Diocese has provided guidelines for meeting in person. For example, all teachers, volunteers and children must have their temperature taken upon arrival and disclose possible exposure; face coverings and social distancing are required; cleaning of classrooms must take place before each lesson, and hand-sanitizing stations should be easily accessible. Doré’s religious education children will meet in the parish school for the in-person component, following the school’s safety guidelines as well. She admits her team will be busy cleaning and taking the temperatures of catechists and students, and that there may be learning curves as there are new ways to enter and leave the building. Also, no large gatherings will be allowed or sitting on a classroom rug for discussions. Still, she is more than hopeful for the coming year. “It is extremely important that we continue to catechize during this ever-changing world. We must have faith in God so we can continue his mission of spreading the Good News, and I think that is what the world needs right now – Good News spread!” With every parish required to offer a religious education program – which could include parishes sharing resources – Contino is looking forward to seeing what parishes have planned when they submit their intentions, due by Sept. 4. And with continual re-evaluations on the parish level over the coming months and numerous resources from both the Diocese and parishes available to assist parents in their role as catechists, Contino stresses that children should be well-equipped to learn. “We’re not creating theologians; we are creating disciples,” Contino said. “It’s not about passing a test, it’s about a relationship with Jesus.”