This week something a little more personal.

Why did you say "YES" to being a DRE/Parish Cattechetical Leader, or catechist?

Who are the people, or what are the events that have encouarged and nurtured your vocation as a DRE, parent, or catechist?

In 1998 I & my wife attended an adult class run by our deacon. A few months into the year his wife got very ill (life-threatening) and he needed to drop some church responsibilities. The pastor asked if I'd take over the class; I agreed reluctantly. That first year I was only a week ahead of the class, it was scary but fun. After a couple of years of adult ed my wife & taught RCIA, and had the adult class take it as well since most adult Catholics haven't learned their adult faith in an organized way anyway. We didn't like the diocesan RCIA materials, so w/ pastor's ok & oversight we put our own syllabus together, and used articles from New Advent, Catholic Answers, and other online sources as handouts. Every participant had a 3 ring binder with dividers, so each Sunday we'd hand out another article for the next week. At year's end the binder became a resource to have at home. That was great year. Then I moved back to regular adult class. Then 5 years ago I reluctantly moved to teaching 6th graders. I really was not interested in dealing with kids...what do they care about the Council of Nicaea?

But God does work in mysterious ways. The kids are 11-12 years old, and I was wrong to think I'd have to dumb things down for them. As an age group, I've found them to be ready to learn, ready to think, ready to know more about God and Faith. They have an as-yet unjaded view of life, and a natural disposition to take God seriously. They grasp big ideas quickly, adjust to new information, and leap to conclusions in a single bound. Their brains are more nimble than adult brains. They like to be respected as people, not just as children. They will meet high expectations and enjoy doing it.

So it's worked out well; this Fall I start my 6th year of 6th grade.

I suppose my encouragement comes from all the Fundamentalists in Upstate SC, who challenge Catholics' faith regularly.

The DRE at my home parish was the person who first planted the seed. Thanks to her example, I was able to see how I could combine two of my interests: the Catholic faith, and teaching.

A few of my college professors nurtured my vocation, as did the first DRE for whom I was a catechist, when I was a first-year college student.

I continue to be nurtured by the many wonderful families with whom I work, my colleagues in the parish, and the network of DREs in my area.