Figuring out my role

So what is a Director of Religious Education? The title is really Director of Faith Formation and Evangelization. Some years ago, the church stopped calling our Sunday Religious classes “CCD” classes and began calling them Faith Formation classes; they also reassessed the Director’s title and thus began a conversion. Words matter. So as the incoming Director what is my role….? I assess this every day. Yes, I was given a job description list, but we all know that those lists don’t even begin to give a true picture of what a person who is directing the formation of all religious education is about. I suppose that after one year I should have a better idea. Every day has been different; there are many people who have diverse needs and motivations for why they are looking to participate in a church community or wanting to know more about the Christian faith as expressed through the sacramental life of the Catholic Church. I enjoy the relationships that are being fashioned, I like listening to the individual’s life story, I don’t like the feeling when I speak to someone who sees the church as an institution only, and often it’s not their fault as to why that is so. Many times those of us who represent “church” officially will respond to people as robots asking them to first “fill out this form” or to “wait until our classes begin in the Fall”…..when I listen to each person I notice that it is an opportunity to say “you are important, your life has meaning"… it is a big part of my week and I always walk away as have been gifted by this experience. This is where evangelization becomes part of the ministry, because as I listen to each person I am able to share with them the good news that God loved us first!

New Beginnings

I am sitting in my office, past my office hours, but for the first time in a long time I am not looking at the clock when I work. How crazy is that? I look around my desk and I see "Human trafficking in the US", "Sacramental Prep", "At home with the word", "New Jerusalem Bible", "Ministry and Liturgy", among a few of the phrases that catch my eye. Ayear ago today these titles would not have surrounded me in my work place. Who could have forcast that this is where I would be today? A year ago, I remember wondering where it was that I should find my bliss? I was beginning to feel uncomfortable in a way I had not experienced before in a profession that I devoted so many years to. I loved design and I loved teaching. Yet, I was not feeling that sense that one gets when you just know that you are at peace with where you are in your life. It is those moments in your life that you begin to try to "listen" more when you are praying. So I listened.....and listened....and listened....and finally He spoke to me and directed me to this place. That beginning made me practice the virtue of patience. I had to be patient with myself and with my circumstances. I continued to give as much of myself to my work while I figured out where I needed to be. So, today instead of finding myself in a college classroom surrounded by drawing papers and pens and textbooks on design and human factors, I am in an environment that is challenging me in new ways and surrounded by people who inspire me and give me confidence in my new skills. I am thankful for new beginnings!