Retired teacher uses her skills

Shifting from teaching inmates at the Hudson Correctional Facility to teaching faith formation to sixth-graders was an easy move for Dolores (Dee) Winkler.

While teaching inmates how to read and prepping them for their GEDs, she also handled religious education at St. James parish in Chatham.

Now retired and in her mid-seventies, Mrs. Winkler is director of the secondary religious ed program at St. James.

Hand raised

"I initially got involved by volunteering to teach sixth-grade religious classes when my children were enrolled in our parish program," Mrs. Winkler explained. "I was working at the Hudson facility as a teacher, but I wanted to be involved in our parish program."

After a few years, the mother of seven was asked to direct the Sunday school classes. "As my kids grew and went into high school, I began to teach 11th grade and Confirmation preparation classes," she noted.

Because her graduate degree was in secondary education, and she was already teaching teens and adults, Mrs. Winkler said the transition was an easy one for her to make.

Vital role

Reflecting upon her reasons for becoming a volunteer catechist, Mrs. Winkler said that she considers faith formation to be a vital aspect of a person's life.

"I don't think of what I do as a job really," she said. "For me, it's always been a ministry. I enjoy teaching, and I also enjoy serving the parish. This has been very rewarding for me."

At St. James, Mrs. Winkler directs a 120-student program from 7th through 11th grades.

"We're trying to incorporate some new teaching techniques into the curriculum," she noted. "The students are learning about community life, social justice, prayer and worship, and pastoral issues that include growth and development, the Sacrament of Marriage, and family life."

(Mrs. Winkler recently received the Mary Reed Newland Award for Catechetical and Youth Ministry Leadership from the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis of the Albany Diocese. The award goes to exceptional catechetical and youth ministry leaders.)

(9/20/07)