by Carole Anne Scott

On Saturday mornings from 10:30 to noon, a dedicated group of students assembles at Sacred Heart Rectory to meet with the pastor Monsignor Frank Kelley and his teaching assistant, Boston College professor and Sacred Heart parishioner Pat Byrne. These adults have made a firm choice to learn about the Catholic faith, some with the intention of being baptized and others in preparation for receiving the sacrament of Confirmation. In fact if you were present at this year’s Easter Vigil on April 15, you would have watched as three of them, Emmanuelle Amijeayin, Hilda Danso, and Jackson Osifo, were welcomed into the Catholic Church. By the time that this issue has gone to press, a fourth graduate of this year’s program, Paul J. Fandel, Jr., will have been confirmed.

In their interesting classes, the students work from a formal religion book, but quip that they “stay on the subject, not on the book,” as their discussions often take unanticipated turns based on their individual interests and the questions they raise. Not merely instructional, the sessions also provide an opportunity for faith sharing and for getting to know one another on a deeper level. As Msgr. explains, “A bond gets created with everyone here.”

Extremely enthusiastic about the sessions, Jackson believes, “The classes are a wonderful educational experience where I’ve had the opportunity to read about the faith and to discuss it.” Approximately thirty past graduates have found the program so inspirational and helpful to them in living their lives that they continue to meet once a month as a faith support group for one another. As Paul explained, “You’d think that this would be intimidating, but I find it comfortable. Through that comfortableness, we become friends in the process.”

The reasons that bring these people together as catechumens are as diverse as their countries and faiths of origin. Hilda, a mother of two sons, was Presbyterian, but married a Catholic and raised her children in her husband’s faith. She stated, “A feeling inside kept prodding me toward getting more involved in the Church. I wanted to learn. I wanted to pray more.” Janice, a newcomer to the group, is originally from Ghana. She was baptized Anglican and also became Presbyterian. Her decision was influenced by her mother, whom she refers to as “a true believer who always tells me to go to church.” Describing what she finds most appealing about Catholicism, Janice states, “Catholics have a culture.”

Jackson, who came here from Nigeria, shared the following, “I decided to join the Catholic faith to get closer to God. I am very happy that I am in the Church. I love it.” He added, “One thing I love about the Catholic faith is that you learn more about how to serve God in the right way.”

For Paul, a cradle Catholic who had fallen away from the Church, returning has been a great experience. “I was baptized, but lost touch,” he admitted, quickly adding, “As I got older, I got wiser and decided to come back. Meeting in these classes is different from going to church,” he explains, “You feel more a part of things here as you follow your faith and talk about it.”

The experience has been equally rewarding for Hilda who states, “The thing I like about being Catholic is that there are specific guidelines and things I can learn. I always had a belief in God, but it was unformed. This gives me a better sense of God and my relationship to Him.”

Each of the catechumens has a sponsor in the faith to help along the way. Sacred Heart parishioner Sue Carroll, who can often be seen staffing the desk at the Rectory, was Hilda’s sponsor. She has high words of praise for her godchild, stating, “Hilda was so committed. She was never absent. She was so eager to learn and so patient.” In fact, Sue adds, “This whole group amazes me as I’ve watched them come to class week after week and have gotten to know them. They are a very dedicated and nice bunch of people.”

Their dedication was evident to me as I found them at class on the humid Saturday marking the beginning of the long Memorial Day weekend when so many others were out and about, relaxing. Janice, a nurse, hadn’t arrived home until 1:00 a.m., yet she was at class and happy to be present. The catechumens are an inspired group and an inspiration to those among us who sometimes take our faith for granted.

If you are interested in learning more about the Catholic Church, please call Msgr. Kelley at the Rectory to find out about joining Sacred Heart’s catechumens. The experience is guaranteed to inform and inspire you as it draws you closer to God.