Office of Religious Education sows faith

When parents request that their child be baptized at St. James Church in Albany, they participate in a unique preparation program.

Sister Patricia Conron, CSJ, pastoral associate for faith formation at the parish, explained that she and the pastor, Rev. Dominic Ingemie, visit the new family.

They invite parents to share their own faith journey and the type of faith experience they want for their child. The new family is given a book on baptism, put in touch with an Elizabeth Minister (a parishioner who will provide support during the baby's first year) and invited to attend a workshop for parents preparing for baptism.

The workshop covers issues like faith development, prayer, psychological development, humor in family life and marriage enrichment.

While the parish sponsors this program, the Office of Religious Education (ORE) has done a great deal to make this program a reality, said Sister Patricia. From helping develop the program to serving as speakers at the bimonthly workshops, the ORE staff are "one hundred percent supportive," she stated.

Program development and support like that provided to St. James is just one way the ORE provides services to the 186 parishes of the diocese. Last year, the office also provided over 1,000 consultations to parishes and clusters regarding faith formation, trained and certified catechists in parishes and Catholic schools, provided inservices and retreats for catechetical leaders, circulated over 1,500 audio-visual resources to parishes and schools through the Diocesan Resource Library.

The ORE is one of 30 offices that provides, through Bishop's Appeal funding, programs and services to parishes and people in the diocese, said Jack Manning, director of the Bishop's Appeal and Stewardship Office.

While the parish is the primary place where Catholics encounter the Church, parishes can't meet every need, said Mr. Manning. He explained that parishes and the diocese are seamlessly linked together in order to provide a wide variety of religious, educational, pastoral and charitable services throughout the 14 counties of the diocese.

"Even when you're away from your parish, you're still receiving services from the Bishop's Appeal," Mr. Manning explained. College students away from their home parish receive services from the Campus Ministry Office. Hospitalized Catholics receive spiritual direction and support through hospital chaplains. Both services are provided through the Bishop's Appeal.

Sister Patricia reported that the ORE plays a vital role in her ministry. "I never feel like I'm working in a vacuum," she said. "The ORE provides a bigger picture of what's happening in the diocese. This brings life to what I do and inspires me."

Last year, faith formation and education offices (which include the ORE) received 28 percent of the approximately $6 million raised in the Bishop's Appeal Campaign. Mr. Manning said this year's minimum goal is to meet or exceed the diocesan assessment responsibility, which is $6 million.

If Bishop's Appeal funding were to cease, Sister Patricia said, there would be a void in her ministry without the ORE. "Personally and professionally it would be a loss," she stated. "They are so supportive of what we do."

(This year's Bishop's Appeal, titled "Ageless and Timeless...Our Mission Continues," begins April 19 and runs through May 31. Contributions can be made through parishes or directly to the Bishop's Appeal, 40 N. Main Ave. Albany, NY 12203.)

(04-10-97)

[[In-content Ad]]