Catechetical News
Certification and Recognition Ceremony
For the staff of the Archdiocesan Catechetical Office and those who labor in the parishes of the archdiocese to engage Catholics of all ages and hand on the faith in the most compelling ways, Sunday, Nov. 13, was a combination graduation and moving up ceremony. At the same time, it was a day to recognize the years and depth of service given (mostly at no financial compensation) by those who are called to the ministry of catechesis.
With Archbishop Gerald Walsh presiding at the inspiring Maryknoll Seminary Chapel in Ossining, Sr. Joan Curtin, CND, director of the Archdiocesan Catechetical Office recognized this year’s winners of the Catechetical Medal Honor for 25 or more years of service. Twenty-two catechists and catechetical leaders earned the medal this year. Sr. Teresita Morse, RJM, director of formation for catechetical leaders presented the names of the six coordinators of religious education who have completed Advanced Catechetical Leadership Formation, and of the 18 directors and coordinators who have completed Basic Leadership and earned their Catechetical Office pins.
This year also marked the first time that pins were awarded to five Catholic Youth Ministry parish leaders and 12 Adult Faith Formation parish leaders, who also completed Basic Leadership Training under the direction of under the leadership of Cynthia Martinez and former director of Catholic Youth Ministry, Kathleen Alonzo, and of Oscar Cruz, director of Adult Catechesis and the Catechumenate.
Also for the first time this year, six catechists for Adult Faith Formation earned Level One Catechist Formation, as did 13 RCIA catechists. These joined more than 150 parish catechists of children aged K to 8, who received Level One, Level Two or Renewed Certification.
Linda Sgammato, director of Early Childhood Catechesis, presented three candidates who completed Level One Certification in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and 12 who have completed Level Two.
The Catechetical Office also honored Sr. Teresita for her 30 years in the catechetical ministry of the Archdiocese of New York and presented two other awards. This year’s Terence Cardinal Cooke Award went to Msgr. Hugh McManus, pastor of Our Lady of Fatima in Scarsdale, and Father Raymond Nobiletti, MM, pastor of Transfiguration in Manhattan.
There were four recipients of the Good Shepherd Award: Kathleen Alonzo, former director of Catholic Youth Ministry in the Catechetical Office; Thomas Brinkmann, executive director of Capuchin Youth Ministries; Margaret Brusic, assistant controller, Education Finance; andToni Kerins, director of Pallottine Teenage Federation.
Five Coordinators of Religious Education Attain Certification
On Sunday afternoon, October 23, Bishop Gerald Walsh presided over a ceremony that was the culmination of years of hard work and dedication by five parish coordinators of religious education.
Sr. Joan Curtin, CND, director of the Archdiocesan Catechetical Office, officially certified the following coordinators: (left to right in photo with Bishop Walsh) Cheryl Duda, St. Bartholomew, Yonkers; Gina Brillantes, St. Cecilia, East Manhattan; Neide Pires, Our Lady of Fatima (Portuguese), Yonkers; Antoinette Rossetti, Our Lady of Mercy, Port Chester, and St. Joseph, New Rochelle; and Judith Anastasio, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Scarsdale.
These catechetical leaders have completed Catechist Formation Levels One and Two, Basic Leadership Training and then 186 hours of graduate level course work in Advanced Leadership Formation. They also have undergone a year of supervision in their parish programs. Sr. Teresita Morse, RJM, director of formation for catechetical leaders, directed the supervision and certification process.
Why did these coordinators do all this? Because they understand that the children in their parish religious education program and their families deserve no less than a coordinator who is qualified in the development of the Christian person, Christology, morality, catechetical administration, and the Church with its history and worship.
As these religious coordinators complete their certification, which has a term of five years, 13 more are on the road to their certification
Seventh-Eighth Grade Congress brings 400 to Poughkeepsie
On Saturday, November 5, under the able leadership of Cynthia Martinez, director of adolescent catechesis and formation of Catholic Youth Ministry Leaders, the Catechetical Office hosted 400 seventh and eighth graders and parish youth leaders at the third annual congress for this age group. It took place at Our Lady of Lourdes High School under the theme The Real Deal: “This is my body…this is my blood.” Mark 14:22-24.
Father Joseph Espaillat, pastor of St. Peter’s in Yonkers, delivered a stirring keynote, after whichwhich the youngsters attended workshops on “Words to the Word,” focusing on Scripture; “The Real Meal,” addressing the Real Presence; and “Turn on the Music,” on music, worship and liturgy. Full Armor Band provided the music. Capuchin Youth and Family Ministries sent two dynamic masters of ceremonies. Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan was the principal celebrant of the closing Liturgy.
Congratulations to Cynthia, the committee and all the volunteers who made this congress so such a ringing success.
Letter Sent to Parents and Guardian of Middle and High School Students in NYC Public Schools
Sr. Joan Curtin, CND, director of the Archdiocesan Catechetical Office, has written a letter to parents and guardians of children who will be affected by the proposed mandated sex education classes in the New York City Public Schools: those in Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island. These children are in middle school and high school.
With the letter, Sr. Joan also sent a sample of a letter for a parent/guardian to send in order to opt out of these classes and a summary of parents’ rights regarding this issue. For a copy of the letter, parent's rights and sample opt out, please click for more.
