Nominations now being accepted for Outstanding Catechetical Leaders

Staff Report

Every parish and school has at least one — a teacher, catechist or homeschool educator, whose love of the faith informs everything they do and say, a leader whose love of the Lord is so palpable that people naturally gravitate toward them and want to emulate them. The Office of Catechesis and Evangelization (OCE) will once again be honoring these Outstanding Catechetical Leaders at the Catechetical Leadership Awards, May 14.

“Recognizing the work of our catechists is not only a joy for us — it is essential,” said Isaak A. Isaak, director of the OCE. “These awards remind us that the Church is strengthened every day by men and women who witness the faith with humility, compassion and deep devotion.”

The OCE needs help in identifying these outstanding catechists. There are eight awards and nominations are now being accepted for each. Catechists are not limited to teachers in a classroom but also recognize homeschool educators and those leading ministries like marriage preparation and youth and young adult ministry.

The premiere award is the Sister Ann Adele Fritz Catechetical Award. For 47 years, Sister Ann Adele (born 1930; died 1998), a Notre Dame Sister, gave her whole heart in service to the Diocese of Covington and Archdiocese of Cincinnati. She served as both teacher and principal, and is remembered for her high expectations, organization, creativity, friendliness and service projects. The recipient of this award reminds us that we are all called to be joyful witnesses to Jesus Christ and are willing to make personal sacrifices so that others may come to know and love Jesus. This person embodies what it means to be a missionary disciple.

“Sister Ann Adele’s legacy reminds us that the work of a catechist is not simply instructional; it is missionary,” said Mr. Isaak.

The other categories include:

— Outstanding Early Childhood Teacher/Catechist

— Outstanding Teacher/Catechist (middle school, junior high, high school)

— Outstanding Catechetical Leader (catechetical leader, principal, director or coordinator of Religious Education)

— Outstanding Family Life Minister (marriage preparation or enrichment, natural family planning instruction, ministry for separated or divorced, and widows and widowers)

— Outstanding Catechetical Minister (youth, young adult, and campus ministers)

— Outstanding Catholic Retreat Minister

— Outstanding Homeschool Educator

“Our catechists are the quiet heroes of evangelization. Whether they serve in classrooms, parish ministries, family life programs, youth and young adult outreach, or in the dedication of homeschooling, each one helps others encounter the living Christ in a personal and transformative way,” said Mr. Isaak. “Their love, creativity and commitment form the heart of ministry.”

Nominations are due by Wednesday, March 18. The awards will be distributed May 14, 6–8 p.m., Bishop Howard Memorial Auditorium at the Diocesan Curia. Criteria for each of the awards and nomination forms are available online at https://www.covdio.org/catechetical-awards/.