Catechists respond to the call of the Lord by providing the oxygen that gives the faith to a student, a class, a Parish, and a Diocese. “Without you catechists, the spread of the faith is challenged.”
This was the message Bishop Frank J. Dewane offered during the Diocese of Venice Catechetical Workshop for religious educators on Jan. 11, 2025, at St. Paul Parish in Arcadia.
More than 230 catechists from Parishes throughout the Diocese participated in the day-long workshop which opened with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass celebrated by Bishop Dewane. The Workshop focused on gaining insight into more effective teaching strategies, and on how best to bring generations closer to the Lord.
In the footsteps of missionaries of the past who went off to faraway lands, Bishop Dewane said modern-day catechists are called to carry the word of God into the community. In fact, catechists are often the first face of the Church that many encounter; the first “blast of oxygen” in an encounter will help all aspects of their life going forward.
“See yourself as the one who brings oxygen – the Ord of God – to someone who is not breathing so well,” Bishop Dewane said. “You have to know you are called to deliver that oxygen. You are that agent of change in the lives of those families who may have become a little distant from the Church and need that inspiration to return. You give them strength.”
Bishop Dewane said that the catechists have the skills to lift up the sacramental life within the Parishes, which impacts the Church within the Diocese and beyond.
“Week in and week out, you take the Word of the Lord and put it before the students you have before you, in a way they can digest and learn it,” the Bishop said. “This approach dates to the time of St. Paul. See yourselves as the modern-day missionaries, bringing forth the Gospel message so as to help your students become more Christ-like; to recognize themselves as a Child of God; and to acknowledge Jesus Christ suffered, died and rose for them.”
The Bishop encouraged the catechists to seek out others to either become future catechists or simply more active in the Church. While such a request may be viewed as asking too much, Bishop Dewane reminded everyone that he is not the one asking, it is “Our Lord who asks.”
“The Lord has planted in the heart of each one of us here, that understanding to pass on the teachings of the Church, to build the foundation solidly, to be the new modern-day missionaries, and to bring in more people who may feel, for some reason, a little distant or alienated from the Church,” Bishop Dewane said. “God sees the goodness that you do as catechists for His Kingdom.”
Bishop went on to explain how the Diocese of Venice Education Department is beginning an effort to reach out to families who have had children baptized in a Parish and urge them to enroll their children in religious education classes. It is hoped that this direct appeal will persuade parents to ponder the importance of becoming more active in their faith and seek additional sacraments for their children.
Lisa Zolkos, Director of Faith Formation and Catechesis, organized the workshop with the intent of changing the way religious education is taught. Zolkos offered “10 Effective Interactive Teaching Strategies,” which steps away from traditional rote memorization of texts to implementing different strategies to engage students of all ages, allowing them to more easily grow closer to Jesus.
“Because there are multiple learning styles, the catechists need to adjust to this and meet their students where they are; bringing the kids to Jesus, not just presenting the material and being unable to make a connection,” Zolkos said. “This approach allows each catchist to address each type of learner within a lesson, which has an effective and lasting impact.”
Shevin McCullough, of Studio 3:16, introduced the catechists to the company that provides educational resources, including a Catholic kids TV show, focused on fostering children’s understanding of and love of Christ.
McCullough also led the catechists in an activity based on the Lectio Divina, a deeper way of reading and reflecting on Gospel passages, using the following model: pray, watch, reflect and apply. These activities are created to invigorate and deepen students’ faith by showing how the lessons of the Gospels are relevant and applicable to their lives today – ultimately bringing them closer to Christ.
Many of the catechists were inspired by the words of encouragement from Bishop Dewane and his expression of their good works as the “oxygen” of the Church in the Diocese.
Others were excited by the workshop, the first of its kind gathering so many in one location in two years, allowing many to share stories and ideas about best practices. The workshops by Zolkos and McCullough enhanced the experience by offering practical tips for the classroom that can be immediately implemented.
“I learned how to be a better teacher for my students,” one catechist said. “Our focus is on the students and how we can bring them closer to Christ. By knowing how they learn best, that goal is achievable and will make a lasting impact.”
