Good for the soul: helping to spread the word of God
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| Iman Abagi, Parish Co-ordinator Baulkham Hills. |
“I remember reading once that a catechist 'echoes Christ'. That’s what we do- we are an 'echo' of God for our children. ”Iman Abagi
Special Religion Education Teacher
Was I ‘called’? I don’t know except that I felt after my conversion experience, an urgent need to share the wonderful gift of my faith that I have been given. I felt a desire that no one should miss out on hearing about the love that our God has for us.
Yes, in a way it is a ’calling’, personal to every single person- at the end of his earthly ministry, Jesus said: "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations."
As a true ‘witness’ to Christ, we hold Him in our hearts and then carry Him to the hearts of others. We sometimes think, ‘what are we doing? I can’t teach, or I don’t know enough about my faith, or how am I going to control a class?’ I always remind myself that we are never alone, Jesus himself said, “Know that I am with you always.” We don’t do the work; Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit to do the work! What we are responsible for, is to point the children to God, to provide a path to Jesus.
We are responsible for helping them build a relationship with God; by our love for God, love for our Faith and love for the children themselves. We are the road that the children walk to reach Jesus. I remember reading once that a catechist ’echoes Christ’. That’s what we do- we are an ‘echo’ of God for our children.
Like many people who become a Catechist/SRE, Iman was looking for a tangible, practical way to share her faith and God's love with others.
Our Catechists come from all walks of life for example parents, grandparents, self employed people, retirees, university students and senior secondary students.
We invite you to prayerfully consider joining this ministry.
To find out more, you can download this 
brochure, or do not hesitate to contact us directly for more information.
Helpful links
You can also visit other parts of this site for further information on teaching Catechism in the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta.
Snapshot of a Catechist/SRE
In many ways, the true benefits of becoming a Catechist/SRE can only be heard in the words people who are already involved in spreading the Good News in our schools. Below is a selection of insights of some of our wonderful Catechists/SREs.
Neil - two years as a SREParish: St Bernadette’s
Preferred Class: Year 6
Favourite Lesson: Sermon on the Mount, because it enables me to illustrate to the students that Jesus’ teachings of love charity and goodness is the message of the scriptures.
Funny thing that has happened in the classroom: I usually ask for a volunteer to come to the front and lead the prayer at the start of each class. I once selected a girl offering to volunteer because she said it was her birthday. Another student said it was his birthday next day so I asked that anyone with a birthday that week to come to the front and jointly lead the prayer. Almost the whole class got up to the front of the class leaving one boy sitting alone at his desk.
Memorable moving moment: Once at the end of the school year, I held up the bible and asked the students what was the message throughout. They answered instantly and all at once: ‘Love’.
What keeps you going back each week?: Sense of mission, sense of making a difference, seeing and hearing the responses of the students to Christ’s teachings of love and charity, knowing that the students are interested in learning about God.
Madeline Leslie - 34 years as a SREParish: Our Lady of Lourdes
Preferred Class: Any primary
Favourite Lesson: Any lesson where we discuss taking care of the earth.
Funny thing that has happened in the classroom: Playing quiet music as background for meditation…without realising it was being used at the time as an advertisement for a popular vehicle.
Memorable moving moment: Being hugged by Tim, a slow learner, whom I taught for three years in a row.
What keeps you going back each week?: I originally began because I was bored at home but then a need to answer ‘the call’. It is just my small contribution to spreading the word of God.
Lynnette Hunt - Five years as a SREParish: St Thomas Aquinas, Springwood
Preferred Class: Years 1 and 2 combined
Favourite Lesson: The Prodigal Son. The child always give a fantastic recount the following week.
Funny thing that has happened in the classroom: When we pray for members of our families who are sick or have died recently, there is always one child who will want to pray for his best friend’s neighbour’s aunt’s goldfish who died last year!! (Not funny, of course: We take these things very seriously!)
Memorable moving moment: I met a little girl from my class in the street and I was talking to her mother. She told me that her daughter always calls me the ‘Jesus Lady’ even though she knows my name.
What keeps you going back each week?: Knowing that I am the only link the children have with their Catholic faith. It’s very rewarding. I have a couple of children that play up a bit, but they are really excited when they come in. If ever I can’t make a lesson they always ask me why I wasn’t there the following lesson.
Josephine Sultana - 25 years as a SREParish: St John the Evangelist, Riverstone
Preferred Class: I prefer the younger children from Years 3 and 4. They seem to be more attentive and willing to participate in the lessons.
Favourite Lesson: I really enjoy giving the lessons on Easter, especially the Resurrection, and the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
Memorable moving moment: Using bread and cordial for the lesson on the Eucharist, the children really enjoyed it.
What keeps you going back each week: I love teaching about the love of God and the reassurance of the presence of the Holy Spirit.