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FAITH FORMATION CATECHISTS: Sharing the Beauty of Our Faith
When St. James Faith Formation catechist Ken Club teaches his students, one of the lessons he regularly emphasizes is the importance of listening.
“I often tell the kids we have two ears and one mouth — we should listen twice as much as we talk,” Ken says. “I tell them, ‘WWJD, What Would Jesus Do?’ — especially in these times. I tell them to be more accepting and more tolerant. I also try to instill in them the Great Commandment to treat others as you want to be treated.”
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Ken has been volunteering to teach Faith Formation at St. James for three years. He enjoys sharing these lessons and many others with the students he has been teaching since their first-grade year. He has followed their grade each of the last three years and will continue this academic year.
“The continuity is good for them,” Ken says. “We can get to know each other and I get to know their work habits. I also know their parents and grandparents.”
Just seven years ago, Ken retired from a 14-year career at Monsanto in agronomy sales. However, he had gone to school to become a teacher, and taught in Dawson during the 1970s.
“When I was a teacher and now with the Faith Formation class, I try to be as empathetic as I can and just bring some calm to their lives,” he says. “I just enjoy being able to help.”
Ken takes the time to study the lessons for the week and customize them for his class.
“Just being with kids was the reason I got into education,” he says. “I want to try to make a difference in the lives of children.”
He also enjoys staying in touch with the lives of young children as he and his wife, Sandie, have five grandchildren ranging in age from almost 1 to 16 years old. He enjoys being able to share the joys and struggles of teaching with Sandie, who is a retired teacher.
Ken’s class consists of seven boys and one girl. He tries to instill discipline in the classroom by telling the children, “Don’t interrupt someone else’s opportunity to learn.”
Having grown up in Ivanhoe, Ken has been a member at St. James for 43 years. He enjoys being able to teach Faith Formation, count the collection and serve as a Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. He also helps with the church grounds as much as he is able.
“I try to step in where I am needed and can help,” he says.
Ken always looks forward to teaching his eight students during their weekly classes on Wednesdays, from 2 to 2:50 p.m. Ken has enjoyed this experience so much and encourages anyone who wants to pass on the faith to get involved. He also points there is no problem finding a substitute when he is gone for a week or two in the winter.
