Rosemarie Farrow Pastoral Coordinator for Faith Formation/Youth & Adult Catechesis
Youth & Adult Catechesis
This year presented itself with many challenges of understanding. Amid the many uncertainties of life, Christ remains. And so, we forge ahead in faith that God will provide for us in our need. In response to the pandemic situation and insufficient number of volunteer catechists, the Fall of 2020 Confirmation prep paradigm, which is comprised of the 7th and 8th grade students of the parish, moved from an entirely in house program to live Google classroom format for entire 7th grade and an in house or live Google classroom option for the 8th grade. We had nine 8th grade students whose families chose to participate in on campus class, where social distancing and mask wearing was required. 128, 7th and 8th grade students chose to attend virtually. We had five brave volunteers who facilitated our online students, four 8th grade groups and one 7th grade group. Taking a page from our summer intensive program, the parish hired two Catholic school teachers to fill the void for the remaining 7th graders. This year was a lesson in flexibility, understanding, and a lot of faith. Mass requirements were able to be met via the parish YouTube channel when in person attendance wasn’t the best option. Homily reflections were written. Mini-retreats were scheduled, postponed and eventually moved to a virtual format. We “Spilled the Catholic Tea” using recorded video segments featuring our Pastoral coordinator of worship and music, Andrew Macirowski, Fr. Jeff, and Monsignor Troiano. These videos addressed questions that students presented at the beginning of the school year and were shared in the virtual classroom. 90% of our students attended both the Advent and Lenten Penance and Reconciliation services. Several students partook in the attendance of the May Day crowning. The Confirmation prep students put their faith into action living out their call to Christian service. 31 students participated in the parish Thanksgiving Food drive, 36 in the Fall parish clean-up, 23 in the Spring clean-up, they helped decorate the Church for Christmas, 28 participated in this year’s Fishers of Men Lenten food drive, and 21 contributed to the parish Soap SACK drive. Additionally, the Confirmation prep group sponsored one ASLAN ministry family and provided Target gift cards for CPC families this Christmas. 15 students and some of their parents helped wrapped Christmas presents and one student ran his own neighborhood toy drive which were dispersed through our Social Outreach and Charitable Appeals. The youth are not the future of the Church, they are the Church. They are present and forging ahead on their faith journey – even amidst the anxiety of pandemic, the turmoil of life and uncertainty of the future, at the edges of their understanding faith takes over.
Adult Bible Study In the past few years, participants of the Parish of St. Mary have wanted to get the “big picture” of the Bible by focusing on the story that runs throughout Sacred Scripture. The program helps foster:
“Faith begins at the edges of understanding.”
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