At a reception after the Easter Vigil, one of the newly baptized came up to me. He’s an eighth-grader and was prepared to receive the sacraments through RCIA for youth. I’ve only met him a couple of times, but he seems like a great kid. He had been invited to attend one of our religious education classes by a friend. A personal invitation by another teen is what started the process. God took care of the rest.
This boy was simply beaming, and when he asked me, “Can I get a hug?,” I was really touched. So often in ministry, those of us who have administrative responsibilities can sometimes lose sight of the reasons why we got into ministry in the first place. Chance encounters like this one that happened to me are gentle reminders of how blessed we are to be in catechetical ministry.
Without a doubt, we will more than likely never truly know the impact we’ve made on the people we’ve served. That’s OK by me. It keeps me humble and desirous of continuing to serve the Lord, since it was he who called me to ministry. That being said, I still feel blessed when someone gives me a glimpse of how our labors have touched him or her.
Friends, as most of you move into the busy-ness of First Holy Communions and Confirmations, rest assured that you are making a difference in the lives of many people. Each of us is blessed to be able to do what we do, all in God’s name and for God’s greater glory.
This time of year also means reviewing new faith formation programs. If you are looking for programs for grades K–8 or sacramental preparation materials, look at what Loyola Press offers.
Amen, Paul, to finding the joys of catechetical ministry in the small things said and done by others. May God’s Spirit give us the wisdom to see and understand that, through experiences like the one you described, He is saying, “Well done, good and faithful servants!”