Catechist learns from pupils

Mary Krikorian, a parishioner of St. Mary's Church in Oneonta, was in the right place at the right time.

Last summer, her family moved from West Virginia to Oneonta. Through work, her husband became acquainted with catechists at St. Mary's; and so after Mass one Sunday, Mrs. Krikorian met the director of religious education.

"We started talking, and she said they needed a second grade teacher," explained Mrs. Krikorian. "And I said, `I taught second grade at our parish in West Virginia.'"

She then volunteered to fill the opening. While she is giving of herself in this activity, she has found she has gained from it as well.

Advantages

Since she was new to the area, serving as a catechist "helped me meet people," she said. "I met great people through it."

A mother of three children, ages six, four and six months, she believes being a catechist has had an impression on her own children. Her four-year-old son, for example, has come with her to a few of the sessions. "He still asks about the kids," she said.

On Sunday mornings, Mrs. Krikorian and her six-year-old daughter Kate would head out together for their separate religious ed classes. "Her class got done three weeks before mine since we were preparing them for First Communion," said Mrs. Krikorian. "She [still] wanted to come with me."

Joint effort

While second grade is an important year since children receive both the Sacrament of Reconciliation and First Communion, Mrs. Krikorian wasn't nervous about the responsibility.

"If I hadn't done it before I would have been," she said. "The program here is very structured. There is a lot of parental education, a lot of guidance. I was just one piece of the pie, a part of the whole picture. It's the parents, the priest and the parish [that instruct the children.]"

There are many benefits to teaching religious education, she said, adding: "I like the energy the kids bring to class."

She is often moved by the children "when you least expect it," she said. "They come with a wide range of experiences. Sometimes, the way they describe something is much better than you could have."

Last year, when the director of religious education, Susan Nesbitt, was in a car accident, Mrs. Krikorian was surprised by her students' reactions. "As we were praying, one of the students asked to pray for Sue. I was so moved," she said.

Advice

Mrs. Krikorian's advice to new catechists is "be prepared to have a lot of energy. You have to be on your toes."

The amount of time she prepares for a lesson varies from week to week depending on the subject matter. What is important, she said, is to have some quiet time "for mental and spiritual preparation."

She also encourages catechists to share with one another. "Some of the best things were get-togethers with other teachers to exchange ideas."

(09-18-97)