Story by Mary Kroner
LINCOLN (SNR) – The Benedict XVI School of Catechesis celebrated the graduation of 12 students Thursday, May 20 and is now accepting candidates for the next two-year formation cycle.
The graduation consisted of Mass celebrated by Father Justin Fulton, vicar general, and conferral of certificates. Dinner and time for fellowship for the graduates and their families followed.
Father Andrew Heaslip, director of Religious Education for the Diocese of Lincoln and director of curriculum for the Benedict XVI School of Catechesis, explained that the graduation is significant because each student has completed two years of good education about the faith.
“Someone approaches this not just as a one-time thing like listening to one podcast, but going through it over time, considering it over time, learning it over time, and being committed to it over time. This means that those who go through this program really have grown in their knowledge of the faith,” Father Heaslip said.
The Benedict XVI School of Catechesis is a program designed to help strengthen the intellectual and spiritual formation of Catholic adults in order to empower their evangelical mission in the world.
The duration of the program is two years and consists of courses one Saturday per month during the school year.
Jeff Schinstock, director of the Benedict XVI School of Catechesis and director of youth ministry for the Diocese of Lincoln, said the program delves deeply into the Catechism of the Catholic Church and takes a historical look at the faith, beginning with creation and continuing through the present day. He said students gain a better understanding of the relation between faith and reason. The program also offers participants every opportunity to know God and form an authentic relationship with Him.
At the end of the two-year cycle, students will have received 96 hours of catechetical formation. However, the fruits derived from the program are meant to be cultivated and shared even after the courses themselves have been completed. Schinstock emphasized the importance of the evangelical aspect of the program.
He tells students at the beginning of the program, “This information is for you, but it isn’t yours… the scriptures and the teachings of the Church should permeate us and transform us, but we aren’t meant to keep it to ourselves.”
Father Heaslip also discussed the importance of the missionary aspect for the Catholic community as a whole.
“Our faith is not meant to be kept in secret under a basket. It is meant to shine,” Father Heaslip said.
Many graduates put into practice what they have learned by starting various apostolates in their parishes and communities. For example, some start Bible studies or moms’ groups. Within the specific context of their lives, the graduates learn how to share the Gospel with their community.
Graduate Maru Whitmore of Shelby is a catechist at Sacred Heart Parish and has been able to share what she has learned from the program by helping with the faith formation of both children and adults, and ministering specifically to the Hispanic members of her parish.
Jessica Pearson of St. Wenceslaus Parish in Wahoo just completed her first year of the program and explained how the program has also helped her grow in her love for the faith and evangelization.
“It brings you deeper into the faith, history, prayer life, of the Church, and will fan your own thirst for evangelization,” Pearson said.
“Many of us need to step into that ancient role of porter and bring people into the community,” Schinstock said. “I have been so edified by the apostolates our grads have chosen.”
A strong sense of community is also built among the students in the Benedict XVI School. Even despite the pandemic, the community within the Benedict XVI School continued to flourish. A hybrid learning option was offered to students who wanted to participate but could not come in person.
Father Heaslip said the online option proved to be beneficial for many students, and will continue to be offered in the future so the program is more accessible to those who live far away.
In light of the Pope’s recent papal letter Antiquum ministerium which has instituted the lay ministry of catechist, the Benedict XVI School of Catechesis may play an important role in the training of catechists in the Diocese of Lincoln.
Father Heaslip explained that while the details are somewhat predicated on the requirements outlined by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), there have been conversations about how the Benedict XVI School of Catechesis will be involved in the training process of catechists.
The papal letter lays out four components that comprise the training for catechists, which are biblical, theological, pastoral, and pedagogical. For Catholics who want to pursue the ministry of catechist, the Benedict XVI School of Catechesis could be an important part of doctrinal formation for that, especially with regard to the biblical and theological components.
The Benedict XVI School of Catechesis offers discounts to Catholic school teachers and CCD instructors because of the program’s direct correlation to that kind of work. However, the program is not limited to teachers.
According to Father Heaslip, the program is for all Catholics who want to grow in their faith at a higher intellectual level and see it within a broader perspective. The program is also for Catholics who have an extensive knowledge of the faith, but want to grow in their work of evangelization by learning how to be more connected to their community.
Schinstock noted, “The joy of knowing Christ and learning the whole story is for all of us. If you wonder about any of it, this program is for you.”
Registration is now open for the fall semester. The link to register and additional information about the program can be found at www.lincolndiocese.org/parish-rcia/benedict-xvi-school-of-catechesis.
Class dates for the fall of 2021 are Sept. 18, Oct. 16, Nov. 20 and Dec. 18.
