Judy Bednar, a 1st-year First Communion teacher, is honored by Deacon Dave Powers with a plaque of appreciation. (Photos provided by Our Lady of Lourdes Parish) MONROE — Teachers and assistants volunteering in the religious education program at Our Lady of Lourdes Church are feeling the love from their parish community this week.
Father Benjamin Roberts, pastor, working with parish director of religious education Deacon Dave Powers and staff, are showing their appreciation for the more than 50 catechists sharing their love of the faith with 700 students enrolled in faith formation at the parish this year.
“We felt it was important to honor the volunteers and all of those who assist us in the faith formation program,” Deacon Powers said.
During this first annual Faith Formation Week, April 29 - May 5, Father Roberts is sharing taped reflections to offer prayer, encouragement and thanksgiving for all of those serving in faith formation at the parish.
“You are servants of the Lord and you speak his Word,” Father Roberts said in the first day’s reflection. “The children and young people of our parish hear the Word of the Lord from your voice. As you teach them the doctrines and practices of our faith, you help them to recognize and to hear the voice of Jesus.”
Students are offering a Prayer for Catechists in each of their classes during Faith Formation Week to express their appreciation. Prayer cards featuring St. Charles Borromeo, patron of catechists and catechumens, are also being given out to teachers and students.
Catechists will also receive a plaque of appreciation.
Deacon Powers says that at the religious education Open House on April 29, 15 new families signed their children up for future religious education classes. Ten new families also registered with the parish.
Father Roberts plans to make this Faith Formation Week an annual event, held purposely during the week between Diving Mercy Sunday and the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
“We wanted something to recognize faith formation teachers because something like more than 90 percent of students in the Diocese of Charlotte are faith formation students,” Father Roberts said.
He believes it is a pastor’s responsibility to acknowledge faith formation teachers.
The 2nd-year First Communion students honor their teacher, Laura Flores, with a prayer for Catechists.He hopes more parishes will follow suit and is making the materials available to any parish who would like to use them.
Deacon Powers says that he has started getting feedback from their faith formation teachers. “They’re saying things like, ‘Thank you so much! Tell Father Thank you.’”
He reiterates that “the idea (of Faith Formation Week) is to honor the people who are bringing Jesus into the lives of our children and making Him come alive to them.”
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
For more information
If your parish would like to receive the materials associated with honoring faith formation volunteers, email Deacon Powers at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
To view Father Robert’s reflections for Faith Formation Week, visit the Our Lady of Lourdes Church Monroe Facebook page at www.facebook.com/OurLadyofLourdesMonroe.
Prayer for Catechists
Jesus, you told us that laborers for the vineyard would be few and that we should pray to the Lord of the Harvest in the hope that many might respond.
You have answered our prayers by sending us catechists for your vineyard.
Bless these men and women who have responded to your call to the ministry of catechesis.
May they be filled with zeal for your Church, with care for those they catechize, and with love for your Word of Life.
Let your Spirit come upon them so that your Word may echo through their teaching and through the witness of their lives.
Through our catechists, may the members of our parish whom they teach be transformed into witnesses to your Word.
And may these catechists receive the blessing your Son promised to all who labor in your vineyard.
We pray to you, gracious Father, in the name of your Son, Jesus, the Word of Life, and in the unity of the Holy Spirit who transforms us by that Word, one God, forever and ever.
Amen