News and Events
By Brian McLane
BANFF – Eighty-plus catechists from western and northern dioceses of Canada were afforded a spiritual life while attending the 2011 Western Conference of Catholic Religious Educators (WCCRE) at the Banff Centre in Banff, AB, No. 10 to 13.
Albert Thévenot, M. Afr. and Christine Taylor, diocesan catechetics coordinator for the diocese of Prince Albert say they were “well pleased” with the “very good” three day event which had as its theme: “Come to the Mountains, Joyful Bearers of Good News.”
The WCCRE intentionally moves the conference throughout the western provinces as an opportunity to spread the beauty and wonder of the Teaching Church. This year’s host province, Alberta, fared well with the conference theme.
Keynote speakers were Bishop Claude Champagne, OMI, of Edmundston, New Brunswick, and Anne Walsh of St. John’s, Newfoundland.
Bishop Champagne encouraged us all “to be missionaries, to bring Christ to the world,” said Taylor. “He gave us the image of the sun behind clouds to represent that God is always with people even when they are not fully evangelized. But when the sun does come out they experience the full fruits or warmth and light of being fully evangelized.”
One other image Bishop Champagne provided is that of a “couple in love,” Taylor said. The depth of their love for one another is deepened when it is expressed in words, “I love you” and actions, she added.
The conference was designed to appeal to all catechists through the workshop sessions. “Faith is born and grows in community.” For this reason, the attendees gathered together as catechists to live and learn the Gospel.
Plenary sessions incorporated the recently released publication by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) entitled; On Good Soil: Pastoral Planning for Evangelization and Catechesis with Adults.
Taylor said the conference was “gearing us up” for a diocesan workshop in the spring of 2012 where the bishops’ document will be under study in the Prince Albert diocese.
The CCCB’s document resulted after the Bishops of Canada perceived the need for a resource that would offer new insight and direction to aid those engaged in the ministry of evangelizing and catechizing with adults in our day, and that offers helpful, practical orientations and suggestions to help respond effectively. With this objective in mind, “On Good Soil” examines our current situation and provides examples of best practices and effective initiatives that have been used in Canada and elsewhere. The reader will find instruction, help, affirmation and resources for their particular ministry.
The catechetical conference on the new Evangelization was for all who share faith with adults, youth, or children.
The conference, held every two years, focuses on catechists who work with families, youth, children and adults, said Taylor. “It’s so important that we (catechists) grow in our faith, too.”
Saturday’s plenary session “On Good Soil: Pastoral Planning for Evangelization and Catechesis with Adults” was given by Anne Walsh.
Workshop sessions included The Art of Catechist Formation by presenter Gertrude Mulholland, SCIC; Sacramental Moments and Evangelization by presenter Elaine Biollo, SC; managing the Mountain: Self Care for the Catechist by presenter Sandy Prather and the NORE Program and its Rich Sacramental Catechesis by presenter Christine Louie.
Taylor is also on a working committee of the WCCRE that produced the document: “A Sower went Out to Sow” which was developed with the Western Catholic Conference of Bishops that provides a vision for catechist formation in Western and Northern Canada.
“It will help dioceses and eparchies to assess where they are and where the next step is they want to take and then take this to the bishops of Western Canada,” Taylor said. “It will help us decide how we can improve catechist formation in our local settings.”
The Western Conference of Catholic Religious Educators seeks to ensure the opportunity of ongoing catechesis. Its purpose is to provide a forum for sharing the efforts of all religious educators in Western and Northern Canada. The conference is held every two years.
The forum is designed to facilitate personal growth in faith and knowledge through the exchange of ideas and resources. It also offers support and co-operation in dealing with common concerns related to catechesis in Western Canada and the Northern Territories. Additionally, the conference provides a liaison with the Bishops of Canada.
Bishop Claude Champagne, o.m.i.
Born in Quebec, Most Rev. Claude Champagne has a background in philosophy, theology and mission studies. While teaching at St. Paul University in Ottawa, he also worked with diocesan Curisillo groups. After serving as provincial superior for the Oblates of Mary Immaculate for several years, he was ordained Auxiliary Bishop of Halifax and later Bishop of Edmundston, New Brunswick. He currently serves as an Episcopal representative on the National Council of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, and also on the CCCB Commission for Doctrine, and the Canadian Catholic Aboriginal Council.
Anne Walsh
Born and raised in Newfoundland, Anne taught in its school system before obtaining a Master of Religious Education degree from St. Michael’s College. During and after that time, she worked closely with the Redemptorists in youth and young adult ministry, preaching missions, and lay formation. Anne had worked as a catechist and Director of Adult Faith Formation at the parish, school board and diocesan levels. She currently works as Director of Adult Faith Formation for the Archdiocese of St. John’s. She is also a member of the CCB national advisory Committee on Adult Catechesis, co-chair of the Partnership in Mission Commission for the English-speaking Redemptorists in Canada, co-chair of the Redemptorists North American Commission for Partnership in Mission. She is a graduate for the Doctor of Ministry degree at St. Stephen’s College in Edmonton.
