Catechist Lana Vargas, right, teaches young Catholics at St. Jude Church in Kapolei, Oct. 20. (HCH photo | Darlene Dela Cruz)
The Diocese of Honolulu is blessed with veteran religious education leaders who have shared time, talent and treasure with young Catholics for many years. Among these is Bonnie Boquer at St. Jude Church in Kapolei.
She and her husband Tony have served in religious education since their days in the Philippines and Louisiana. In Hawaii, the couple taught at Holy Family Church in the early 1990s. They arrived at St. Jude Church eight years ago, and now run a catechetical program with more than 300 students. They are also diocesan “master catechists,” assisting with the training and certification of other volunteers.
The Hawaii Catholic Herald asked Boquer to reflect on her experience as a catechist and what she sees in religious education today.
Hawaii Catholic Herald: Why did you get involved in religious education?
Bonnie Boquer: I don’t know. It’s like I’ve always had my finger in it as a catechist, but to really become involved for it to become my job, I really don’t know. I was very happy being a nurse. But (God) never chooses qualified people; he qualifies us.
What is the best part about being a catechist?
The children – watching them learn about God, and you see them in their “aha!” moments.
How do you prepare for religious education classes at St. Jude?
During the week, that’s when we do all the paperwork: Checking the attendance sheets … calling parents if their kids haven’t come in a while, answering phone calls from parents, preparing for other classes that we give. But the (Sunday) itself — for the first 10 minutes it’s absolute pandemonium, and then everything is set.
What have you seen change in religious education over the years?
A lot has changed. It used to be the parents were the primary educators. But that’s no longer the case. We are now the primary educators. And we are educating parents. I’ve had parents ask me, “What’s Advent?” It’s not their fault; it’s just that they weren’t catechized. Now we have two missions, for the child and now the family.
What makes a good catechist?
Somebody in love with their faith. A certificate doesn’t make a catechist … You have to live the faith. If you don’t live it, if you’re not passionate about it, if your love for God and the church is not primary in your life, don’t even try.
What is essential for a religious education program to thrive?
You need a priest to back you up and good volunteers. You can’t do it alone. We have so many dedicated catechists (more than 20). We are so blessed to have worked with priests who financially support us. If you have the support, it’s wonderful to see. We provide everything for the children.
