This story has been updated.
Directors of religious education
gathered in-person and virtually for the DRE Kickoff at St. Agnes Church in
Arlington Aug. 18.
To start the day, Bishop Michael F.
Burbidge spoke before Mass. He thanked the directors for their hard work and
creativity to keep students connected to their faith during the pandemic.
“We’re coming to learn that there are
some non-essentials that we really can do without, as long as we never forget
what truly matters. And at the top of that list is our relationship with the Lord
and the faith we profess,” he said. “What you are doing through your ministry
is helping our young people and their families to remember what truly matters.”
In his homily, Father William P.
Saunders, pastor of St. Agnes and episcopal vicar for faith formation, asked
that the directors look to St. Joseph as a model for this year. St. Joseph was
asked by God to take Mary as his wife, then to bring her to Bethlehem, then to
flee with her and Jesus to Egypt for their safety. “He trusts in God’s will, he
listens and he goes with the flow, rolls with the punches,” said Father
Saunders. “That’s how we have to approach this year.”
Individual parishes are making decisions
about what religious education will look like this year, said Ana Lisa Piñon,
diocesan director of faith formation. “There’s a range between solely online,
partially online or just in person, but there will be provisions made for those
families who do not feel comfortable coming in person,” she said.
Directors spent the rest of the day
networking, listening to speakers and spending time in prayer.
