Bringing Families into the Church

by john stegeman

When it came to catechesis, St. John Paul II Catholic Mission in Grainger County, Tennessee, had a problem.

Attempts to reach the youth of this largely Hispanic community in First Communion or Confirmation classes were often met with disinterested stares. As it turned out, the problem was generational.

“They really were coming just as a tradition,” says Clarisa Chavarría, pastoral associate at St. John Paul II. “What would happen is a child who had never come to church, all the sudden, is asked to come to a class and they have no involvement, no interest. It was kind of painful. So I talked to the parents and I found out [many] are as clueless about their faith as their kids. Our families were totally uncatechized. It isn’t their fault. They come from very rural places in Mexico where a priest maybe comes once or twice a year.”

The solution? Focus on the strong sense of family in the Hispanic community by bringing the generations together. Since September 2021, Clarisa has led a family catechesis model where she teaches adults and children at the same time.

“I do the catechesis with the entire family,” she says. “When we were all together there were 50 of us in the church. I have them sit at tables with their families. It’s kind of loud. But the idea is that parents are sitting there and talking to their children and I give them time to talk about the themes.”

At most US parishes, sacramental prep for children and the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults classes are separate. That wasn’t working at St. John Paul II.

“Coming into this church, it’s a very family-centered community,” Clarisa says. “I told the parents, ‘You’re not going to drop off your kid. You’re coming and you’re going to be part of this class. They have been really involved.”

The family catechesis model is working. At the Easter Vigil in April, 28 individuals from 13 families received sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist). The number is notable when one considers that across Glenmary’s 12 missions, 51 people received the sacraments on Easter weekend.

The community’s pastor, Father Neil Pezzulo, supports the approach. He tells the story of a man, 32, who brought his child to the church for First Communion, though the man had never received himself. When Father Neil asked why, he learned the man had never received any sacraments of initiation. This Easter, he received all three, surrounded by the smiles of his children and family.

The family catechesis model isn’t without challenges. In addition to needing more space and having sometimes loud young children present, there’s a language barrier. Clarisa is fluent in Spanish and English, but often within the families she teaches there is a divide. The adults speak Spanish, while the children are more comfortable with English. In one case, a parent’s first language was a native dialect. They could speak Spanish, but not read it. Cases like this require her special attention.

“It’s not perfect and I’m always trying ways to improve,” she says. “I think people are enjoying it and it is working for our community.’

Clarisa also reports that in the process of catechesis, several couples took the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage. Many were in long-term committed relationships with children, but they had not been married in the Church.

New church effect

Though the primary reason for a 28-person sacramental crowd was the new family catechesis model, Clarisa admits that the parish is growing in part due to the new church building, dedicated in May of last year.

“I think God is doing the work in our community,” she says. “We’re just trying to be welcoming to the people, to be present. When people come here they feel at home.

“It’s a beautiful church,” she adds. “It’s bright. It’s a space where you feel welcome… I think that sense of ambiance helps to experience God’s presence. The space we had before was small, no good lighting, cramped. It worked for what we needed at the time but we outgrew it.”

The growing mission is still small. Clarisa estimates 200 Hispanic parishioners and 50 anglos are among the members. Still the impact on parishioners and the larger community is being felt.

“The presence of Glenmary is so important and I think people recognize that,” she says. “Glenmary is out there reaching out and always willing to help with basic needs or spiritual needs, whether you’re a member of our mission or not, Catholic or not Catholic, that’s besides the point. If there’s someone in need, Glenmary steps in.”

TOP: Not every parish has the privilege of welcoming catechumens and candidates on the Easter Vigil. Thanks to the family catechesis model, St. John Paul II had 28.