Back to the fount

By Jim Davis - Florida Catholic

 

Photography: JIM DAVIS | FC

MIAMI | Tips and tools of Catholic education took their usual place at the annual archdiocesan Catechetical Conference. But this year, prayer and worship were front and center.

The Eucharist, and how to teach and even to live it, were highlighted during the Oct. 19, 2024 conference at Epiphany Church and next door Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in Miami.

At the seven-hour conference, conferees said the rosary and attended Mass with Archbishop Thomas Wenski. They took part in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. And they were asked to listen for the voice of Jesus.

The devotional elements were a response to the National Eucharistic Revival, said Sister Karen Muñiz, director of the archdiocesan Office of Catechesis and a member of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Launched by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in 2022, the Eucharistic Revival movement aims to restore awareness of the Eucharist and its role in Catholic life.

“It’s the source and summit of our lives,” Sister Muñiz said. “We always return to the fountain and receive from the Lord himself.”

The conference brought together more than 700 Catholic school teachers and parish religious educators from churches throughout the archdiocese, from St. Peter the Fisherman on Big Pine Key to St. Ambrose in Deerfield Beach. Many had been coming for years.

“I love it, you learn something new all the time,” said Vivian Lorenzo, attending with about a dozen friends from Prince of Peace Church, Miami, where she directs religious education. “I'm blessed to be here.”

The day began with the prayer of the Holy Rosary in five languages: English, Spanish, Creole, French and Vietnamese. That was one highlight for Thais Garcia of Our Lady of the Lakes Church, Miami Lakes.

“It showed the universality of the Catholic Church,” said Garcia, who was attending her third catechetical conference.

‘YOU GIVE OF YOURSELVES’

During Mass, Archbishop Wenski, the main celebrant, acknowledged that the teachers must balance demands of work, church and family.

“You give of yourselves in building up the Kingdom of God,” the archbishop said in his homily. “Thank you for your hard work and the joy in which you communicate the good news of Jesus Christ.”

Keynote speaker Denise Donohue, vice president of educator resources for the Virginia-based Cardinal Newman Society, said evangelization is the main purpose of Catholic education. “We are all called to be evangelizers, in and out of school, 24-7.” She noted that in 1 Corinthians 12:28, St. Paul listed teachers right after apostles and prophets.

“What great company you're in!” she exclaimed. “This is not just a job; it’s a vocation, a calling. You're the ones who bring the good news.”

Donohue added that catechists are held to higher standards. She cited St. John Newman’s belief that all reality originates in God, therefore all knowledge leads to God.

“Secular standards are not enough,” she said. “We are to form the will, to orient people toward God. Schools should prioritize opportunities to meet God.”

Donohue suggested ways for teachers to capture children’s attention. One was discussing stories to explore their morals. Another was showing the beauty of nature, such as the spiral designs in everything from flowers to hurricanes to galaxies.

“When it’s pleasing to the eye and the ear, it affects the emotions,” Donohue said.

Hui Pham agreed with the need to engage younger church members. He's head of academics for youths 13 to 18 at Our Lady of La Vang Church in Hallandale.

“Whenever I come to the Catechetical Conference, I look for ways to connect with youth confirmation,” he said. “After they grow up, many don’t come back to church.”

 

HEART TO HEART WITH JESUS

Other segments of the Oct. 19 conference include teaching children with special needs, and how to build a “culture of life.” For some, however, the highlight of the day was Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

In the school gym, Deacon Ismar Martinez, of St. John XXIII Church in Miramar, was in charge of bringing the Blessed Sacrament. He walked slowly down each aisle, then back to an altar in front.

The conference goers participated in the ritual in silence, raising or folding their hands. Some sat, some stood, some knelt, their eyes fixed on the passing monstrance.

Accompanying the devotion was the soft praise and worship music of Levi Adoration, a young worship group from Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Doral.

“Jesus is here, right now, in your presence, calling you by name,” said Rob Longo, CEO of the Boston-based Live Vertical ministry. “This is a chance to go heart to heart with Jesus. He is offering healing – physical, mental, relational.”

For Federico Gallego, the devotion helped heal his grief for a loved one who died a month ago.

“It brought me closer to God,” Gallego said. “I knew she was with him. It was a wonderful experience.”

TV host Lucia Luzondo, the last speaker, reinforced Donohue’s theme of the essential role of Church educators.

“Thank you for being part of the Church,” said Luzondo, co-host of the weekly show “Created to Love” on EWTN. “I've always thought that catechists and family life ministers were the boots on the ground.”

She also underscored Donohue’s link between family and education: “God created the family. As the family goes, so goes the society, and so goes the world.”

Garcia, of Our Lady of the Lakes, embraced the whole conference, educational as well as spiritual.

“As one of the speakers said, you have to fill your cup to give to others,” she said.