Catechist Spotlight

Joseph Jose, Catechist, Mary, Mother of the Church Parish, Bordentown
  
What inspired you to become a catechist?
After my confirmation and throughout my 8th grade year, I had been contemplating my next step in my faith journey. I wanted to serve God and my church. Knowing that volunteers are always wanted for catechism, I did some reflection. I felt blessed with the gifts of working with young people and also teaching. People have always told me that I was good at these things. In September of my freshman year, I found myself back in the classroom on Sunday, but this time I was the one teaching.

What do you enjoy most about sharing the faith with others?
I teach first graders so this is the first time that they are at CCD. Naturally, they have a lot of questions which is what I enjoy most. Most of the time I have the answers to their questions but when I do not, I am able to learn with them.

How has being a catechist helped you grow in your own faith?
It has really made me love our Catholic faith so much more. Being a catechist keeps me looking at our faith with a learning-oriented perspective because if I know more about our faith, I can be a better catechist. I feel that I personally learned a lot because of this and grew closer to God.

What would you say to another young person who is considering becoming a catechist? 
For young people looking to be catechists or maybe even just looking for the next step in their faith journey, they should contact their religious education coordinator and ask to be an aide in a class. Make sure that you want to do it. Chances are you will. If you do think about it a lot I would just say to do it. Even if you struggle there are always going to be people there to help you. There have been times that I have struggled. It is not about being perfect, it is really about helping raise the next generation of Catholics.

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Giovanna Steffens, Catechist, Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine

What inspired you to become a catechist?
Something that inspired me to become a catechist is when I was younger, I would help out my mom while she taught CCD. That experience made me realize how much I love teaching the kids. I also volunteer with St. Robert’s Summer CCD and have since it started way back when. Not only do Catechists inspire the kids, but the kids also inspire you to be better and learn more. 
 
What do you enjoy the most about sharing the faith with others?
There’s a lot to enjoy about sharing your faith with others, but I have to say my favorite things about sharing the faith is the community it brings you and the opportunity to learn more by hearing others perspectives. 
 
How has being a catechist helped you grow in your own faith?
Being a Catechist has helped me grow my faith by learning alongside the kids. Of course I know what I am teaching but sometimes the kids will say something that blows your mind and makes you realize something you wouldn’t have given a second thought about. Another way being a Catechist helped grow my faith is seeing how dedicated the young people are to their own faith. It truly gives me hope for the future of the faith.

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Carmine Steffens, Catechist, Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, Freehold

What inspired you to become a catechist?
My mom inspired me to be a catechist. All throughout my Religious Education formation, my mom was my catechist and taught many of my friends. When I made my confirmation and started high school, I felt like it was my turn to give back to the youth of the parish. 

What do you enjoy most about sharing the faith with others?
What I enjoy the most about sharing the faith with others is the opportunity to foster the tightly-knit community that a Church should be. As my students began to understand God more, they came to understand themselves more. Through this and our communal growth as disciples, we became a family of sheep within Jesus' flock.

How has being a catechist helped you grow in your own faith?
Being a catechist has helped me grow in my personal life by allowing me to see how the gifts of God can flow through, not just myself, but through all those that I met throughout my time teaching. Further than that, teaching has a miraculous way of allowing an educator to, sometimes learn more than the students actually learn. By teaching all grades between first and eighth, I have come to understand the theology that I teach from a wide variety of perspectives, ultimately bolstering my overall knowledge of who God is to me and why it is so important to evangelize and catechize. 

What would you say to another young person who is considering becoming a catechist?
The only thing I can tell anyone who wants to be a catechist, regardless of age, is to try it. Pray about it, devote yourself to it, and if it is God's will and the right fit for you, you will succeed. God has a way for all of us to contribute to His Universal Church, being a catechist is one of many ways that you can serve the Kingdom of God.
 

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Lucia Schlett, Catechist, St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Cinnaminson

What inspired you to become a catechist?
Originally Ms. Doré approached me to ask if I would serve as a teacher’s aide in my younger brother, Dominic’s, second grade class. This was a common activity for middle schoolers in our Religious Education program and at the Saint Charles school. After that first year, I loved contributing to the younger students’ relationships with the Lord and watching them grow in their faith. I asked my Mom if it would be possible to teach my own class as a sophomore, and the opportunity arose when one of my fellow catechists stepped down for personal reasons. Since then, I have taught my own class of second graders, and fell in love with watching them fall in love with God.

What do you enjoy most with sharing the faith with others?
Because I teach second graders, I see young children experience First Penance and First Communion. My favorite memories are watching their nerves fall away and their excitement grow. All the practice and discussions lead up to the most rewarding moments. The students and their families’ joy is unmatched, and I am so grateful I get to share these special moments with them.

How has being a catechist helped you grow in your own faith?
As Catholics, we are told to go out and share the Gospel of the Lord. It sounds like a simple task, but in the modern world, it is hard to find moments to discuss your religion and spread the love of God in a genuine manner. Having a dedicated space to share my faith allows me to live out the Great Commission. Along with being able to follow the Lord’s teachings, I have strengthened my beliefs and education. 
The little moments and facts we learn as children can slip by easily, but teaching Religious Education allows me to refresh my knowledge and excitement about Catholicism.

What would you say to another young person who is considering becoming a catechist?
My best advice is to not be intimidated. There is no perfect Catholic, other than Jesus. Sometimes your youth may allow you to feel inadequate or unprepared compared to other catechists. Although knowledge is important, dedication and excitement about God are just as vital to providing a great Catholic education for children.