Nearly 400 catechists gathered last Saturday at the Sheraton in Reston for the Diocesan Catechetical Conference. It began with Mass celebrated by Father Paul deLadurantaye, director of the Office of Catechetics, and Father Jose Hoyos, director of the Spanish Apostolate.

Although Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde could not attend the day’s conference, he sent his greeting through Father deLadurantaye.

"He wanted me to express to you his regrets and his thanks for all that you do," Father deLadurantaye said. "He joins us, this morning, in prayer that God will continue to inspire you as catechists to carry on the truth of Jesus Christ."

While catechists don’t receive much in earthly treasure, Father deLadurantaye assured those gathered that their "reward in heaven will be great."

Catechists are people who are "sent out to preach and spread the Word," he said during his homily. Every catechist has moments when they experience fatigue. When this occurs, it is important to remember the words of Christ, "Come and rest a while." According to Father deLadurantaye, the Catechetical Conference is a good opportunity for these teachers to find some rest and fellowship.

"Many times, we meet children and adults who are like sheep without a shepherd," he said. "They hunger to hear the invitation from Christ to share in His life."

In today’s culture, it is easy for this invitation to be drowned out by other "noise." This makes the catechist’s job even more important.

"We are called to serve those whose lives need to be filled with the Word of God," he said. "To do this well, you and I need to be formed by Christ — to be nourished by the same Lord who called us to teach."

Their mission is important. Catechists are called to live out the life of Christ so that in following their example, members of their parishes, the diocese and the universal Church may live life to the full here on earth before one day entering heaven, he said.

Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist Sister M. Timothy Prokes, a professor of spirituality and theology at the Notre Dame Graduate School in Alexandria, gave the keynote address entitled "Life is Christ."

Sister Prokes encouraged participants to ask themselves "who or what am I really living for?" If the catechists follow the advice of St. Paul, then "life to me, of course, is Christ."

When Christ came into the world, he opened up what it meant to be made in the image and likeness of God.

"Through his ordinary life, he showed God as a communion of persons," she said, adding that this communion is based on a relationship that it total self-gift to the other.

"In His example, we can find the preciousness of the ordinary," Sister Prokes said. Christ’s life was one of a simple carpenter. Whether married, single, priest, religious or catechist, all are called to be one with Christ, she said.

"How do we deepen in our lives as catechists?" she asked. "Our life in Christ has to be real for us." This is difficult in a world that seeks to escape the real world. People choose to remain shallow instead of going deeper, she said.

"When Christ becomes our life, we witness in who we are, more than through the words we use," she said. In order to do this, there is a need to be self-giving in all things.

Sister Prokes suggested that every day should begin with a morning offering, which is also a good prayer for the children to memorize. She also encouraged the catechists to go to Mass as often as possible.

"Nothing can approach or equal what it means to receive Jesus in the Eucharist," she said.

For Consuelo Andrade, from St. John Bosco Parish in Woodstock, this was her first time attending the Catechetical Conference. She was impressed by the Sister Prokes’ talk and was excited to attend the day’s events.

Doug Koenker, DRE from Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Winchester, brought four catechists with him to the conference. One of the challenges he faces is finding volunteers to fill catechist positions and then taking care of the catechists needs.

"As always, you can never do it quite right. But that’s why I’m here," he said, adding that he hoped to get some good tips from speakers throughout the day.

Katie VanGilder, a catechist from St. John the Apostle Parish in Leesburg, admitted that teaching CCD is usually fun for her, but it can also be challenging. She said that the conference was a good day to recharge.