Pastors/Parish Directors: Keys to a Strong Faith Formation Program

Rosie Bartel, religious education director, takes a look at Catholic education's true cheerleaders:

Most pastors/parish directors rely on the catechetical leaders to organize the program, recruit catechists, train them and set a vision for the many ways they educate members of the parish from childhood through adulthood. Pastors/parish directors need to support the catechetical leaders personally and the faith formation programs in general.

No priests/parish directors can spend as much time in faith formation as parents, children, parishioners and catechetical leaders would like. They need to devote time to other important needs in the parish as well as to their own renewal through prayer and relaxation. They need to balance their time.

Priests/parish directors can set some goals during the course of the year so they can promote and support faith formation programs. Here is list of some ways a priests/parish directors can stay actively involved in faith formation in a parish community.

Catechist Meeting

The pastors/parish directors can pop in at the beginning of a catechist meeting. They should be there for prayer. If food is offered, they can fill up a plate and visit a few minutes. They should use this time to express their thanks and help to share the vision of the parish for faith formation.

Greeting the Children

Pastors/parish directors are not always available when religious education for children is happening, but occasionally they should be on hand when the children arrive. It gives them a chance to greet them and their parents. Sometimes they can have spontaneous conversation with the parents that can lead to some valuable information, allowing them to follow up with special care for a particular family.

Parent Sacramental Preparation Sessions

Catechetical leaders should invite the pastors/parish directors to at least one session with the parents who are preparing for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. That way, they can interact with the parents; thank them for handing on the faith to their children. The pastors/parish directors can help parents deepen their appreciation of the sacraments.

Confirmation Preparation Sessions

Pastors/parish directors could lead one session with the youth or attend their retreat and/or sponsor sessions. It is a great time to invite them to fuller participate in parish life.



Catechist Appreciation

Catechetical leaders need to remember to check the schedule of the pastors/parish directors when planning a catechists’ appreciation get together. Pastors/parish directors like a party and this is a great time to let the catechist know how important they are to the parish community. Another time to thank catechist is on Catechetical Sunday. It is great to thank them with a small gift that they can use in their ministry.

In most parishes, it is important that the catechetical leaders and the pastors/parish directors plan the dates for these events in advance. This makes everyone’s calendaring for the year go much smoother.

Faith formation will not happen without strong catechetical leaders that are supported in their ministry by their pastors/parish directors. This reminds all of us not to take Catholic education for granted.

Parents, children and parishioners, this is a great time of the year to thank both your catechetical leaders and your pastors/parish directors for helping pass on the faith to all parishioners. When you are giving thanks on Thanksgiving Day, you might say an extra prayer for pastors/parish directors, catechetical leaders and catechist.