Canarsie Sessions Teach Fundamentals of the Faith

By Stefanie Gutierrez

“We want people to come and learn more and more about their faith,” said one of the facilitators of the latest adult education program that has just begun in Brooklyn.

The Canarsie cluster parishes of St. Jude, Our Lady of Miracles and Holy Family came together on Tuesday, April 24, for the first of four discussions that are focused on the just-released United States Catholic Catechism for Adults.

As a way to become more trained in their Catholic faith, over 45 parishioners from the cluster came to St. Jude’s community room to listen to Msgr. John Strynkowski, former seminary professor and now the rector of St. James Cathedral-Basilica, Brooklyn.

Stefanie Gutierrez Photo

APPLICATION OF THE FAITH: Msgr. Strynkowski holds the new U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults, which gives lay people a better understanding of the faith.

He introduced the book by explaining that it is an adaptation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church promulgated as called for by Pope John Paul II in 1992.
Msgr. Strynkowski explained that the pope urged that local catechisms be developed to better address specific situations in different countries. The adult catechism is meant to present Catholic teaching comprehensively and authoritatively, with a view to American culture and experience.

“The language is accessible and it is easy to read, and each chapter has questions to answer and makes a connection between our faith and the culture in which we live today,” Msgr. Strynkowski explained.

It is organized in the same four-part structure as the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Part I, which was overviewed at the first session, is The Creed: The Faith Professed. Each Tuesday evening will correspond with a part; Part II, The Sacraments: The Faith Celebrated; Part III, Christian Morality: The Faith Lived; Part IV, The Our Father: The Faith Prayed. It also includes a conclusion and appendices.

“Not a lot of people have been exposed to the new catechism for adults, and it is such a tremendous tool,” said Jackie Lawrence, who teaches St. Jude’s RCIA classes for high school students every year.

“I just want to learn more about my faith and to be able to answer questions to my brothers and sisters that I work with and who I teach in the parish,” she added. “I want to not only learn more, but I want to demonstrate my faith… To live it and not just say it.”

Teresita Sugaste, who also teaches religious education, came not only to help with her teaching, but also for personal reasons.

“This is a way for me to learn about and to rediscover my faith,” she said. “It helps us all to grow spiritually and personally in Christ and His teaching.”

Other participants echoed Lawrence and Sugaste’s reasons for joining the classes.

“There are many people, especially the youth, who struggle with the fact that there is a God. Many struggle with their belief,” Sugaste related. “We have to tell them that we are here to know Jesus, and if you know Him more, you will feel His presence in your everyday life.”

When asked what is the most rewarding aspect of participating in adult education classes and relating them to the high school youth, Sugaste answered, “It is wonderful to see people go from unbelief… to belief.”

Among the many parishioners in the crowded room was Father John Amann, pastor of Holy Family. Initially, he came because “Msgr. Strynkowski is a man who can give a great overview,” he said with a smile.

But then he said, “We are so interested, at this time in history, to look back and refresh ourselves on our faith and the way that we celebrate it… We are looking for a way to present Christ to others and to speak about Him and to be sure ourselves.”

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