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Diocese welcomes certified catechists
By Sylvia L. White, The Catholic Sun
October 18, 2007
After completing many hours of training, 105 newly certified catechists and 28 re-certified catechists joined Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted for a special Mass Sept. 28 at St. Mary’s Basilica.
Certified catechists completed 60 hours of catechetical methodology and principles classes. Those re-certified completed the required 24 hours of continuing education every three years.
“On behalf of all our pastors, I want to thank you,” the bishop said to the catechists. “Being a follower of Christ is always first encountering Christ, an encounter that transforms. Ongoing formation in faith is such a great contribution to our diocese.”
Catechists assist pastors and parish leaders with children’s religious education, youth evangelization and adult faith formation.
“The catechist has the responsibility of being an instrument of Christ so that the other person can know and experience God’s love on a deep, personal level,” said Eric Westby, director of the diocese’s department of Family Catechesis.
“We want people to grow deeper in love for the Lord and the knowledge of the Church,” he said. Bishop Olmsted stresses formation for catechists, Westby said, and anyone responsible for passing on the faith can be certified.
Roberta Bazaldua, a catechist from St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish in Cave Creek, noted the structure of Kino Institute’s certification program and said classes were a nice mix of Catholic school teachers and volunteer ministers.
Bazaldua is the family formation coordinator at her parish and also works with the sanctity of life ministry.
“Catechist classes whet my appetite. I just want to keep going,” she said. “It’s helped me to appreciate how little I do know and how much I have to learn. It’s helped me to better understand why I believe in what I do and why I want others to share in that belief. Getting more knowledge re-ignites the fire.”
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