Saint Charles Parish, Imperial Beach, San Diego, California

SPECIAL FEATURE: A CATECHIST’S STORY
[By Alicia Policarpio, Sacrament (S-5/6) Catechist]

God works in a mysterious way in each one of us. In our pilgrimage of life, we never know the time, the place, and the direction He calls us to serve. As for me, the catechetical ministry was the vocation He chose for me.

I grew up in a solid practicing Catholic fami1y. My parents sent me to a Catholic school that offered Religion as a subject, and went to a Catholic university that imposed Theology as a requirement for graduation. Knowledge of the faith was present, but wisdom to share it was never my intention.

Marriage and motherhood came hand-in-hand and I took my responsibility seriously. Besides ensuring that my kids have the best in life, I ensured that the Catholic faith was alive in their hearts. I was their first and primary catechist. I taught them their first prayers, read them the Bible, and celebrated the sacraments and liturgy with them. The corporate world of work and never-ending house chores did not prevent me in taking them to religious education classes. This has never been a regret to me. On the contrary, it became the door that I opened to answer the call of God to be a catechist to others. God used my daughter, Alissa, to be the messenger of that call.

Just like most mothers, I would stay in my car while waiting for my daughter to attend religious education. Then one day, she came inside the car after her class and said, “Mom, why are you wasting your time inside the car when you could be teaching about God inside the classroom?’ Her words hit me really hard! I pondered upon it and with the power of the Holy Spirit, I answered, “Yes” to His call.

I decided to attend a Basic Catechist Formation Course offered by the Diocese at St. Charles Parish and was assigned to teach a class that same year. I was so overwhelmed with excitement and searched for other tools to enhance my ability to teach. I availed of the various seminars and in-service training that the parish offered.

Through the years, I discovered the need to continue to pursue knowledge about God. This has inspired me to take classes at the San Diego Diocesan Institute. It has made me realized that there is so much to learn about the mystery of God. Our faith is a wonderful experience!

My formation as a catechist continues and my ministry widens. Acquiring any of the gifts of the Holy Spirit involves commitment and action. I sometimes fail, but it does not discouraged me because I know that it is what makes life challenging.

We should always remember, “when the songs of your heart start singing, you should gratefully listen… for the harmony is that which will bring you happiness and the melody is the voice of your true spirit”. Watch for that time and the place when God asks, “Where are you?” and our answer should be, “Here I am, Lord, what do you want me to do?”