Dear Parishioners, +JMJ
As we reach the end of this academic year, I’d like to thank all of our parishioners who put so much time and effort into catechesis in the parish this past year. Handing on the faith to our youth is one of the most important things we do as a parish. And, then there are all the opportunities for adult faith formation as well.
So, thank you so much to everybody who stepped up to teach a class at any level of PSR, and all those who stepped in to help with other types of support for PSR activities. Thank you also to the community of volunteers and parents who surround Divine Mercy school, the school that has is a large part of its mission the handing on of the Faith. Then, wholehearted thanks to all of our YDisciple group leaders, and the many parents who donated their time and talent to make various YDisciple activities happen. Thanks to the organizers, instructors and sponsors for our RCIA and Mystagogia programs. Finally, thank you to everybody who helped organize or provide food for the various sessions of our apologetics course this year.
It takes a lot of guts to stand in front of people and teach the Faith, when you know that at some point you are going to get questions that you simply can’t answer. So, you have to be ready to be humbled sometimes, admit that you have to go to another source, and come back with the answer. I know what it feels like, because I still have to do that sometimes; and I’ve been through years of higher education in the area of theology! So, thank you to everybody who has been so willing, so courageous and devoted, even to take some part in teaching the Faith. It’s a great blessing to me to have such willing souls, and it’s a great blessing for all of our families with children – families who otherwise would have to come up with the resources on their own and do so much more work at home. And it’s a great blessing for adults seeking to draw nearer to Jesus Christ, by learning more about the Faith and the Church.
As we look forward to next year’s catechetical programs, and begin preparing over the summer, there will certainly be people who discern that their time of catechetical ministry in one of our programs should end. That is totally understandable! We are trying very hard to be realistic about expectations for our volunteers; and reasonable term limits are certainly a way of doing that. If you know of somebody who would be good in any one of the catechetical programs I mention above, or if you yourself are interested in helping with catechetical ministry in some capacity next year, please contact Theresa Conley, our Coordinator of Religion Education.
Thanks again so much to everybody who helped hand on the Faith through one of our programs this year! I think we can be very proud of all that the parish is offering to supplement what families themselves are doing at home! I trust the Lord is really using our efforts; and that He is being glorified by them.
Have a blessed week!
In cordibus Iesu et Mariae,
Father Poggemeyer
