BRIDGEPORT—Chris Green has been serving as director of Religious Education at St. Paul Parish in Greenwich for five and a half years. The program currently consists of just over 300 children. Green also covers Baptism preparation at the parish.
“I love serving the families of St. Paul and feel blessed that God sent this opportunity to me,” said Green, whose main role is supporting the parents of the parish family in their role as the first and most important educators of the faith. “I cannot think of a higher honor,” she said.
Green explained that she sees God in each of the children she encounters, which has strengthened her own faith more than she ever imagined it would. “Each unique family has its own distinct needs and being of service to them is a blessing. From baptism preparation to the years beyond Confirmation, I want to be there for them.”
Green said that the most important way she can serve parishioners is to be as prepared in her role as possible. She credits Father Leszek P. Szymaszek, pastor of St. Paul’s for his support with faith formation programs at the parish, as well as the diocesan Institute for Catholic Formation and Dr. Patrick Donovan, who serves as executive director.
“Father Les is always available to meet with the classes and offer the sacraments, which is such a blessing,” said Green. “The students really enjoy the time he devotes to them, and he is always available to answer their questions and mine.”
Green praised the Institute for Catholic Formation for offering many opportunities for growth for DREs and catechists who Green calls “the heartbeat of any faith formation program.”
“The workshops the Institute provides for the parish faith formation leaders are so valuable—from youth ministry training, to online LEAD classes, to workshops on the most important topics facing the Church today, they are there to support you.”
Green said that Dr. Patrick Donovan has been a particular help in that he has instituted twice monthly “check-ins” that all the parish faith formation leaders are invited to attend via Zoom. “This has fostered a real sense of community that was sorely lacking,” said Green.
“The Bishop’s Appeal supports ALL of these programs and without these funds those of us in daily and personal contact with the parishioners of the Diocese of Bridgeport would not have much support in our positions and therefore not fully be able to spread the message that Christ commanded us to spread,” Green stated.
Elaine and John Iannarone of St. Jude Parish in Monroe began volunteering with diocesan marriage formation approximately ten years ago. Until March of 2020, they facilitated and presented at in-person sessions. When the program pivoted to Zoom sessions due to the pandemic, the Iannarone’s adapted their format as well.
The couple has been involved in various marriage preparation programs since 1984. They were a presenting couple for two years at Catholic Engaged Encounter and served as diocesan coordinators. They were also involved in the Sponsor Couple Program, an in-parish program for engaged couples at St. James in Stratford.
“We believe strongly in marriage formation and feel called to minister to the engaged,” shared Elaine. “Early on in our marriage, and to this day 40 years later, our own marriage formation program had a powerful impact guiding our marriage in a healthy direction keeping us focused on how to live a sacramental marriage daily. We know first-hand that a good marriage formation for an engaged couple can make a major difference in their marriage.”
Elaine said that working with the engaged in this capacity helps her and John spiritually by strengthening their sacrament of marriage. “It gives us a chance to awaken the couples to Christ alive in their daily lives.”
Elaine also shared that the programs offered through the Institute for Catholic Formation help her and her husband grow spiritually. She enjoys how they are easily accessible, especially those that strengthen marriage and prayer.
Joanne Santulli and her husband, Deacon Bill, have been involved in both marriage preparation and RCIA at St. Aloysius Parish in New Canaan for about ten years.
“As a leader in our parish’s RCIA process, we help those who are thinking about converting to the Roman Catholic faith,” explains Joanne. “It’s a process that takes place gradually. Participants learn the truths and values of our faith in an open and welcoming environment over many months. We go to Mass together and discuss the scriptures. We walk on their journey with them for a while.”
In marriage prep, Deacon Bill and Joanne help couples who are embarking on a new life journey together to understand the dynamics of their relationship with each other and with God. “Many are stressed with planning their wedding, working full time jobs and adjusting to a life that involves their spouse’s family,” she said. “Marriage prep helps them think about how they will handle all these things now and in the future, and how their spiritual life needs to be a big part of it.”
Joanne said she feels very blessed to have the opportunity to serve in these roles. “I learn from the participants and their questions. It deepens my faith and inspires me to learn and be more involved. In community we learn from one another.”
“As I pray for the future of engaged couples and those participating in RCIA, I also ask God for the grace and wisdom to inspire them,” she said.
Joanne reflected on this year’s Bishop’s Appeal theme “A Bridge Home.” “Faith formation is crucial to the future of our Church,” she said. “We need to build bridges and feed all Catholics of every age with opportunities to deepen their faith. That is done through a variety of modalities which are funded by the Appeal.”
Joanne sees the value in the faithful participating in parish events, volunteering to serve in different ministries, reading online courses and articles, and helping the disadvantaged and needy.
“We need to bring young couples back home to the Church,” said Joanne. “Marriage prep is one of those bridges, and RCIA is another huge program in faith formation. We need to help one another hear the call of God and decipher what God is calling us to do.”
“Formation programs provide the tools through a variety of means to grow and present the truth and beauty of our Catholic faith,” said Pam Rittman, director of development and the Bishop’s Appeal. “In addition to the Sacraments, these programs are life giving for family and community building. Your gift to the Appeal helps countless individuals discover and continue their relationship with the Lord. Thank you for helping them along their journey.”
(The Diocese of Bridgeport is committed to providing current, engaging faith building programs that help every person in our diocese. Gifts to the Bishop’s Appeal make it happen. Be sure to check the Institute of Faith Formation website for programs and ongoing events at: www.faithformationreimagined.org.)
