Chiree Souza holds her Certificate in Catechesis with her pastor, Marianist Father Roland Bunda. (Photo courtesy of Chiree Souza)
By Chiree Souza
Got spirit? Got community? Got faith? Got prayer? Then I invite you to participate in the Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF) through the University of Dayton. I chose to pursue the Certificate in Catechesis — a two-year rigorous but rewarding program that helped me to be a better evangelizer and catechist in parish ministry and in my personal life.
By completing this certificate, I also have been recognized as a master catechist for the Diocese of Honolulu. Exciting!
The academic requirements for the 12 required courses are grouped by theology, method and formation. With each course, my relationship with God deepened as I read, reflected and discussed topics with my fellow e-learners across the country. I grew in knowledge and confidence and which, for me, was especially helpful as I journeyed in faith with our catechumens.
I have to admit that it took a bit of time to learn to manage my time wisely. I have a full-time career at a public high school and am the youth minister and RCIA coordinator for St. Anthony Parish in Wailuku. But over time I learned to create a schedule to accommodate all aspects of my life.
If you’re interested in growing in faith, and gaining confidence as an evangelizer and catechist then I recommend that you take a few courses or complete a certificate program through the VLCFF.
Lastly, I couldn’t have done this without the support and guidance of our diocese; the diocesan Director of Religious Education Jayne Mondoy; St. Anthony of Padua, Wailuku, Parish community, pastor Marianist Father Roland Bunda and staff; and my spouse Rodney, and daughters Shanna and Serina. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and blessings to all.
For information on the University of Dayton’s Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation go to https://vlcff.udayton.edu/ or contact Jayne Mondoy, diocesan Director of Religious Education, jmondoy@rcchawaii.org.
Souza is a master catechist at St. Anthony Parish, Wailuku.
