From special needs ministry to family-home study, the religious education program at Sacred Heart Parish is tailored to the needs of children and their families regardless of their age, language and background.
The program provides an individualized catechesis formation to a diverse parish with immigrants from Philippines, Africa, India and Latin America.
As the Archdiocese of Baltimore prepares to celebrate the Sunday of the Word of God as another themed day for the Year of the Eucharist Jan. 23, children from Sacred Heart are learning about Jesus in the Scriptures through their religious education classes.
At the beginning of the academic year of 2021-2022, the director of the religious education program, Sister of St. Joseph Cecilia Cyford, hoped for 150 children to sign up for in-person classes after the pandemic, but 74 more children than what she had anticipated enrolled the program.
“A lot of people are under the impression of coming to religious education just for the sacraments,” Sister Cecilia noted. “I kept telling them, ‘You should continue all the way through.’ Now, our biggest class is eighth grade with 16 students enrolled.”
Father Gerard Francik, Sacred Heart’s pastor, said “an hour a week won’t do.” Religious education must be nurtured within the families and needs to become part of daily life.
The program cares for a total of 279 students, including 205 children in grades pre-K-8 in English and K-5 in Spanish for religious education, 20 students enrolled in two Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC) English classes, 28 students enrolled in two RCIC Spanish classes and 26 enrolled in family home-study. In addition, the parish offers the Montessori-based Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program, a summer vacation Bible study and a special needs ministry.
Missionary Sister of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Rosa Torres, who serves as pastoral associate for Hispanic ministry at Sacred Heart, explained the importance of learning from Scripture to recognize Jesus in the Eucharist.
“If you learn of his personality, thoughts, actions, how he approached the people and taught them, you are going to love him and desire to follow him,” Sister Rosa said, “and when you follow him, you are going to truly believe Jesus feeds us with his love through the Eucharist.
Father Francik said he often says, “You just heard the Scriptures. What would you say if you had to preach about it?”
The parish approaches each family according to its needs, Sister Cecilia said. She recalled encouraging Hispanic parents to enroll their children in English classes.
“When the book is passed on to the children, many do not know how to read in Spanish, since their schooling is in English,” Sister Cecilia said.
Sister Rosa explained many Hispanic parents don’t speak English and want their children to learn about the faith in Spanish. Although they speak Spanish at home, students read and write in English.
“Even though it can be challenging, I think both cultures can be integrated successfully through religious education,” she said.
Inspired in the Year of the Eucharist, the parish started Wednesday adoration nights with confessions.
Sister Cecilia said reconciliation nights are a great opportunity for families to live their faith together, especially for Hispanic families because all priests at the parish are bilingual.
After 22 years in the parish and 12 years as director of the religious education program, Sister Cecilia retired Oct. 31. She will continue to volunteer as a religious education teacher and participate in the parish.
During a November staff meeting, Father Francik announced Emma Zanotelli as the new director of the religious education program.
“I’m grateful I’ve been able to help children and families to grow in their faith,” Sister Cecilia said. “It has helped me to grow in my faith also.”
Email Priscila González de Doran at pdoran@CatholicReview.org
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