Religious Education, Faith Formation Supported by BLA

By Linda Busetti
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 2/28/02)

Contributing to the 26th annual Bishop’s Lenten Appeal, "A Sacrifice in Thanksgiving," is a way to support many diocesan programs including parish-based religious education and youth ministry. The diocesan offices of Catholic Schools, Catechetics and Youth Ministry all enhance the instruction of children in the Catholic faith begun by parents at home.

The Office of Catholic Schools assists pastors and principals in the administration of 34 elementary schools and three diocesan high schools — Bishop Denis J. O’Connell in Arlington, Bishop Ireton in Alexandria and Paul VI in Fairfax.

BLA assists the Schools Office by financing its office operations. The superintendent of Catholic Schools meets regularly with principals, in group settings and individually, to provide assistance on curriculum, administration, budgeting and planning. Additionally, the Office of Catholic Schools provides assistance in the recruitment of new teachers.

Over the last six years, the funding of renovations at the three diocesan high schools has been greatly aided by gifts from the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal. These improvements included the Garwood Whaley Auditorium at Bishop Ireton, a student activity center at Paul VI and the Albrittain Academic Support Center at Bishop O’Connell, said Dr. Timothy McNiff, diocesan superintendent of schools.

There are currently 31,298 students enrolled in 34 elementary schools and 3,592 students at the high schools with a combined total of 988 Catholic school teachers.

The Office of Catechetics is headed by Father Paul deLadurantaye, diocesan secretary for religious education and sacred liturgy. The office trains catechists for parish-based religious instruction, provides guidelines for religious educators and also assists parish Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) programs that bring candidates into the faith. The office runs in-service workshops for directors of religious education; an annual diocesan Catechetical Conference; and assists religious education services for the hearing-impaired and SPRED (Special Religious Education) programs, to train catechists to work with adults with developmental disabilities. The Office of Catechetics has instituted an online seminar program in conjunction with Catholic Distance University. Three seminars have been completed and a fourth is planned for March, Father deLadurantaye said.

Last spring, a new commitment was made to strengthening parish and diocesan youth ministry programs. The hiring of a full-time director for the Office of Youth Ministry was one of the recommendations of a diocesan study that was initiated to determine ways to improve youth ministry in the diocese. The office name was also changed from Youth Activities, recognizing the importance of ministry efforts directed to our youths. During the last year, diocesan support made it possible for teens participating in the diocesan WorkCamp to tackle projects such as repairing roofs or building wheelchair ramps for Catholics and non-Catholics in the southern part of the diocese, Kevin Bohli, director of the Office of Youth Ministry, said. Over 150 teens spent a week working on projects and learning about their faith. BLA contributions also supported training for youth ministers and helped to make the all-day Youth Rally at Bishop O’Connell High School affordable for parish teens.

Informational mailings went out to parishioners throughout the diocese and pastors spoke about the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal at Mass last Sunday. Parishioners are asked to give serious thought to making a pledge to the 2002 Bishop’s Lenten Appeal. A pledge allows for a greater sacrifice without overburdening your budget. Pledge payment plans are included in the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal mailings.

Bob Mueller is director of the Office of Stewardship and Development and can be contacted at 703/841-2570.

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