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Catechetical conference provides fuel for missionary disciples

Ashleigh Kassock | Catholic Herald

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge talks with Enid Acosta, parishioner of Christ the Redeemer Church in Sterling, during the Catechetical Conference in Reston Nov. 18. ASHLEIGH KASSOCK | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Petroc Willey, Theology professor at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, gives the keynote address at the catechetical conference Nov 18. ASHLEIGH KASSOCK | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Fr. Paul F. deLadurantaye (at left), diocesan secretary for religious education and sacred liturgy, speaks to more than 300 people at the catechetical conference in Reston Nov. 18. ASHLEIGH KASSOCK | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Yoli Webster (at right) holds up a Fishers of Men card during a game in Samantha Welsh’s breakout session about low-tech teaching methods in a high-tech environment. ASHLEIGH KASSOCK | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Like a fountain overflowing with life-giving water, catechists
strive to pour out their love of God into the hearts of their students. But
those who give without replenishing their own spiritual reserves can be victims
of burnout. 

In an effort to support these missionary disciples, the Diocese
of Arlington holds the annual catechetical conference. It’s an opportunity for
those on the frontlines of the new evangelization to be reinvigorated through
prayers, speakers, workshops and community support. 

More than 300 people attended the daylong conference at the
Sheraton Reston Hotel Nov. 18. 

“I’m always really impressed and edified by the people who are
giving up a Saturday to learn and grow in their formation,” said Father Paul F.
deLadurantaye, diocesan secretary for religious education and sacred liturgy.
“We hope there is a lot of fruit.”

The conference started with Mass concelebrated by Bishop Michael
F. Burbidge, Father deLadurantaye and Father J.D. Jaffe, vocations director.
During the homily, Bishop Burbidge asked the catechists to meditate on three
words: personal, pressing and perseverance.

“We are here to help each other carry out the work entrusted to
us,” said Bishop Burbidge. “If we read reports and other studies of the
percentage or the numbers of people who are leaving our faith, even after
receiving the sacraments of confirmation and marriage, it is depressing. But we
are people of faith and we do not despair in the midst of such news. We do
something about it.”

He reminded them that no matter what the response is, God uses
all the seeds the catechists plant every day in mysterious and miraculous ways.

Mass was followed by the keynote speaker, Petroc Willey,
professor of theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville. 

“To be given a mission is to be given an incredible grace,” said
Willey. “For every hour you speak you need an hour to be spoken to. You have to
be filled up and then flow over.” He went on to explain that the key to being a
missionary disciple is not so much the going out to evangelize, but staying
close to God as His disciples. This requires “pruning.”
According to Willey, when God sees His disciples being fruitful He will
sometimes send things their way that might seem like an attack, but is in fact
God pruning them. This helps His followers go back to the source of our
nourishment — Himself.

After the keynote address, participants were able to attend two
breakout sessions before and after lunch. They varied from lessons on Scripture
and liturgy to classroom organization, activities and planning. 

Samantha Welsh, director of religious education at All Saints
Church in Manassas, hosted a workshop discussing low-tech methods of teaching
in a high-tech world. She encouraged participants not to feel as if they have
to use the latest technology to communicate their message. 

Welsh put word into action as she led her group of catechists in
activities such as a saint matching game and a true and false relay race. 

Katy Oskouri, a first grade CCD teacher at St. John the Beloved
Church in McLean, enjoyed the session and is excited to start using what she
learned. 

“I needed tips on how to do transitions in the classroom and come
up with fun ideas to make it more engaging. It was perfect,” said Oskouri. She
also appreciated the prayerful aspect of the conference as a whole. 

“It’s wonderful being around people who are doing the same thing,
and to take a chance and pray, and reassess ourselves, and reflect on how the
Holy Spirit can work through us to make an impact,” she said. 

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