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For Sun City, nearby communities provide a shot at teaching faith
St. Joachim and St. Anne launches R.E. program
By Jennifer Mayo, news@catholicsun.org
October 16, 2008
SUN CITY — New families and seasoned parishioners ushered in a new chapter in the life of St. Joachim and St. Anne Parish on Oct. 7.
For the first time in its nearly 50-year history, Sun City’s original parish kicked off a religious education program for children.
Fr. John Ebbesmier, who was reassigned last summer as pastor of St. Joachim and St. Anne Parish, was surprised that one of the first concerns of the parish advisory council was a growing need for a religious education program. A population boom in the surrounding area had overwhelmed other local parishes, bringing younger families to St. Joachim and St. Anne.
“We, as a church, have a responsibility to reach out to our entire community,” Fr. Ebbesmier said. Though there were initial fears that older parishioners may not welcome the change or the new program, Fr. Ebbesmier believes that most have been enthusiastic about it. The response for catechists was better than expected, too — not only in number, but also because almost all of the catechists are retired teachers.
Now with at least two catechists per class ready and willing to teach, more than 30 children in first through 12th grade are set to participate in a program that will tackle theological fundamentals, sacramental preparation and spiritual development. A retreat is in the planning stages, and various social events will serve to build the community of the church.
For Karen Ratti, religious education coordinator at the parish, the turning point came when they hosted confirmation for Santa Teresita Parish this past year. Parishioners jumped in to man the event and they supplied enough potluck items to feed a small army. She knew then that they were ready to accept this new phase in the life of their parish.
“To be able to share your common roots in Catholicism with other people and other ages — I think it’s terrific,” Ratti said. “These kids have to know that we want them here. They belong here.”
The first night of class began with a Mass followed by the blessing and distribution of rosaries for each child. As they continue to meet on Tuesday nights throughout the year, the catechists will teach the children how to pray the rosary and encourage them to continue in their daily lives. To build on this and to supplement the classroom lessons, each child will receive three age-appropriate books: a Bible, a book of saints and a workbook.
“We have to give the tools to these kids to live their faith,” said Ratti.
Over time they will begin to incorporate sacramental preparation for those who need it. Though almost all of the children have been baptized, that is the last sacrament that most of them have received. When it comes time to address those needs, Fr. Ebbesmier will be increasingly involved.
“We’ll take this year to learn and develop our program and then we’ll go from there,” Fr. Ebbesmier said.
For Ratti, who is new to religious education, this is just the beginning.
“I’m really excited about doing this,” she said. “We just want to grow from here. We can’t believe we have this many kids."
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