Catechists celebrate annual thanksgiving Mass with joy and gratitude

On Friday 26 November, the Diocese of Parramatta’s Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) held their annual Mass at St Andrew the Apostle Church, Marayong to celebrate the contributions of the Catechists of Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains in spreading the message of God’s love to public school students.

While the weather on the day was wet and overcast, more than 200 catechists and their families travelled to Marayong from Blackheath in the west, Luddenham in the south west, Kenthurst in the north and Windsor and Richmond in the north west, and the mood was one of joy and gratitude.

In her welcome address, CCD Director Cecilia Zammit noted how good it was to finally come together after the cancellation of the 2020 annual Mass and the postponement of this year’s Mass. Nine Catechists who had passed away in the years since the educators last met were remembered and honoured.

The memorial candle is lit for catechists who had passed away in the previous year during the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) Annual Mass at St Andrew the Apostle Parish, Marayong. Image: Diocese of Parramatta

The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, and concelebrated by newly-appointed parish priest of St Andrew’s, Fr Kevin Medilo, and five other priests of the Diocese.

The first reading from John’s first letter reminded us of how great God’s love is that we should be called children of God; a message which really is the driving force of the good men and women who join this ministry. St Luke’s Gospel called us to consider the signs of the times, with a view to keeping our eyes fixed not on the transitory things of this world but on Jesus’ words “which will never pass away”.

In his homily, Bishop Vincent commended SRE teachers who witness to God’s immense love and Jesus’ enduring words through their teaching of the faith, but even more so through their example of Christian discipleship. This example and the way we live our lives and conduct our relationships with the students, teachers and whole school community has a long lasting impact on the children. Bishop Vincent noted that school communities value the presence of SREs which is a testament to the strength of the ministry.

Bishop Vincent made reference to Pope Francis’ recent Apostolic Letter Antiquum Ministerium and how it “elevated” the Catechist ministry, since there was now official recognition for the important work of Catechists throughout the world in spreading the faith to young people.

Bishop Vincent encouraged the Catechist community to continue in their work with young people, noting that the building of right relationships with others and the earth is key to witnessing to the love of Christ.

At the conclusion of Mass, awards were presented to Catechists who had achieved significant service milestones in 2020 and in 2021.

Sabine Harriss from Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish, Greystanes (left), and Georgina Serg from Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Seven Hills, were recognised for their 45 years of service during the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) Annual Mass at St Andrew the Apostle Parish, Marayong. Image: Diocese of Parramatta

Special mention must go to two Catechists celebrating 45 years’ service – Sabine Harriss from Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish, Greystanes, and Georgina Serg from Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Seven Hills; two celebrating 40 years’ service – Dianne Nelson from St Joseph’s Parish, Kingswood, and Patricia Lineham from St Monica’s Parish North Parramatta, and 16 catechists celebrating 35 years’ service in SRE. We thank God for the dedication of so many our long-serving Special Religious Education Ministers.

We would like to congratulate Josephine and John Caruana from Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Kellyville, who after the celebration received a blessing from Bishop Vincent on their 50^th wedding anniversary.

Catechist Josephine Caruana from Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Kellyville, and her husband John receive a blessing from Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta for on their 50th wedding anniversary. Image: Diocese of Parramatta

At the conclusion of the awards ceremony, Cecilia thanked Fr Kevin Medilo and the parish team at St Andrew’s for their hospitality, and the choir led by Melissa MacDonald and Chris Barach on guitars. She acknowledged that some SREs may not be returning to the classroom in 2022, so there was room for new people to join this wonderful ministry.

Anyone interested in becoming a catechist/Special Religious Education (SRE) teacher in the state schools across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains can contact their parish office, or Maree Collis on (02) 8838 3486.

Cecilia Zammit is the Director of Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) in the Diocese of Parramatta.

Rewatch the 2021 CCD Annual Mass here.

View images from the Annual Mass here.

Read the full list of award recipients below