Seven Holy Spirit Seminarians will soon be heading back to school, but this time they will be standing at the front of the classroom, teaching students in public schools about our Catholic faith.
And for these seven men, who are studying far from home, receiving their first Australian qualification was a proud milestone on their journey to the priesthood.
The group, who come from Timor-Leste, the Philippines and Vietnam, recently completed their initial accreditation as Special Religious Education (SRE) Catechists, enabling them to begin sharing their faith with students in public schools across the Diocese of Parramatta.
Cassandro, Cipriano, Flavio, Francisco and Leopoldino from Timor-Leste, Joey from the Philippines, and Tan from Vietnam were presented with their certificates on 29 May after successfully completing a six-week Initial Training course delivered by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) Parramatta.
This introductory course provides SRE Catechists with skills in classroom management, lesson planning and knowledge of the approved curriculum and the Bible. It forms the accreditation required within the first year of becoming an SRE Catechist or helper.
Seminarians and others doing the training course to become SRE Catechists. CCD Parramatta staff, Fiona Clarke and Carmel Fenton, are top row, third and fourth from the left. Image: Supplied
While it may be a new experience for this group, seminarians have been undertaking CCD training as part of their formation for around 15 years. The initiative was the vision of former CCD Parramatta Director Paul Worthington, who recognised the value of equipping future priests with practical teaching skills and opportunities to engage with the wider community.
The Rector of the Holy Spirit Seminary, Fr Paul Marshall, said teaching was an important skill for priests and the SRE training “gives our seminarians a good grounding in the methods of catechising, especially infants and primary school children”.
“By giving them classroom skills and familiarity with classroom protocols, we are preparing them for the evangelising mission of the Church,” Fr Paul said.
For the CCD Parramatta team, the benefits extend beyond the classroom. Over many years of working alongside seminarians, staff have seen firsthand how teaching SRE helps future priests develop confidence, communication skills and a stronger connection with the communities they serve.
“It is always reassuring to see seminarians teaching SRE in their allocated parish schools,” Fiona Clarke, Manager of CCD, said.
“The feedback we receive is consistently positive. It gives seminarians an opportunity to integrate into the local community and build a presence among both the parish and school communities.
“Whenever the CCD team meet former seminarians they all reflect on this training and how helpful it was in understanding the importance of connecting with the community,” she said.
The vital role of catechists was recognised by Pope Francis, who described them as people who offer “a living experience of the faith” to younger generations.
“Catechists offer a living experience of the faith that each of us wishes to pass on to the new generations. It is the interpersonal encounter that ‘opens the heart’ to hear the Gospel and accept the invitation to live and grow in Christian life,” he said.
The CCD graduation ceremony on 29 May was preceded by a lunch where the CCD team took the opportunity to learn more about the seminarians and their lives before they took up the challenge to move to Australia to follow their dream of becoming a priest.
The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine is a worldwide Catholic Church agency that has the responsibility to further the religious education of children from Catholic families.
For anyone wanting to learn more about becoming an SRE Catechist, contact the CCD Manager Fiona Clarke on 0427 942 996 or Faith Educator Carmel Fenton, on 0477 823 699. Go here to learn more.
This CCD training course is an example of the Pastoral Plan priority of Formation and the objectives of being An Inclusive and Welcoming Church, and A Church Renewed in Spirit and Prayer. Please visit Synodality to learn more.
