St. Mary's - November 2006 Newsletter

Catechist Training Gets Year Off to a Fine Start

BY SUE LANDRY, Director of Religious Education

On September 16, over 100 Catechists from St Mary’s and St. Anne’s in Shrewsbury as well as teachers from St. Mary of the Hills in Boylston, St. Joseph’s in Auburn and Notre Dame/St. Joseph from Worcester received training at a special training day.

Many outstanding speakers gave workshops on a variety of subjects. These included: classroom management, varied teaching styles, how to teach the curriculum of the various grades, catechist spirituality and outreach to neighbor ideas and contacts. The diocesan book store made books and materials available for the teachers and a wonderful lunch was provided for all.

The pastors from the various parishes came to offer their support and took part in the closing prayer, blessing and sending forth of all of our catechists.

Several catechists said they found the day very helpful.

Catechists are wonderful men and women who give freely of their love, time and treasure to deepen the knowledge of God’s love in the minds and hearts of our youth. We need to do all we can for them to make it happen.

We also had an evening with parishioner Wendy O’Neil of the special education department of the Shrewsbury Schools for our cluster parish catechists to learn about children with special learning needs and what we can do to help them if they are able to join our general programs. The evening was very informative.

Sue Landry, Religious Education Director at St. Mary's, illustrates
a point during a workshop for catechists.