Franciscan Sister Rochelle Kerkof shares on a recent Catechist In-Service at St. Patrick, Imperial, NE.
Grant Deanery recent Catechist’s’ In-Service Gathering focused upon the Communion of Saints and one’s personal Call to Holiness as outlined in Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation: Gaudete et Exsultate. Catechists from the nine deanery parishes assembled at St. Patrick Parish Hall in Imperial. A meal provided by the deanery and local Altar Society members provided relaxing time in fellowship and sharing for all Catechists and presentors. Each of the four deanery pastors provided a personal witness of one of their favorite Saint’s life and apostolic activities including reflection questions or comments for the catechists to reflect upon and discuss.
- Fr. Matthew Eickhoff presented St. Therese of Lisieux-The Little Flower and asked how her childhood experiences helped to form her spirituality as an adult.
- Fr. Thomas Bush spoke about St. Anthony Mary Claret expressing that Saint’s personal ‘recognition of the gift of salvation’ and realization that one is to ‘share the stewardship of God’s grace…humbly’.
- Fr. Lothar Gilde shared one of his favorite Saints which is the Egyptian Saint of Alexandria, St. Athanasius. He pointed out to the group the contemporary challenges of St. Athanasius and how bravely and persistently he remained steadfast in the apostolic doctrine of Jesus’ nature against all odds thus preserving our Catholic identity and heritage.
- Fr. Christopher Miller took up a more modern Saint to showcase and that was St. Josemaria Escriva who was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002. St. Josemaria Escriva’s mission was to awaken within the laity their baptismal call to personal holiness in daily life.
Chapter 1 of the Apostolic Exhortation, Gaudete Exsultate, was highlighted and distributed to each catechist for their own personal review and prayerful study at their leisure.
The evening program concluded with the sung ‘Litany of the Saints’ let by Father Eickhoff, Dean of Grant Deanery region.
