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Connecting children with their faith

By Hilary Anderson
SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR

Elena Chermak loves her job even after doing it for 17 years. The director of religious education for St. John Fisher Parish says it is fun and rewarding.

“We facilitate children to discover their own spirituality,” said Chermak. “What could be more important than providing them with something that will last the rest of their lives?”

She sees her role and others in similar positions as being that of advocates.

“We help children connect faith with life,” she said. “We teach prayer, provide experiences and help them learn the importance of out-reach.”
Chermak is especially proud of the children’s liturgies at her parish. She attributes part of the success to the pastor, Father Thomas Purtell, who makes sure everyone is included in the church’s programs. Chermak credits the school staff with playing an integral role as well in the religious formation of the students.

“Every grade level does something for the liturgy,” she said.

“They choose the themes, do the reading, act out the Gospel, write the petitions and participate in the procession. They base their selections on what is important to them.”

Chermak said students approached her about doing a countdown for New Year’s.

The result was what some referred to as a pep rally for Jesus and celebration of the coming Jubilee year.

“It was such a beautiful liturgy that opened their eyes to the new year,” she said.

“We talked about the new millennium in terms of 2000 years of people following the way of Jesus. Afterwards we even danced the “Milly” [the millennium dance].

Chermak’s love of her faith and children brought her to Rome for the Jan. 2 Jubilee Day for Children.

“It was a remarkable experience,” she said. “Thousands of children all with white hats on were there. Watching the pope receive them was overwhelming. It reminded me that God’s spirit is alive in profound ways.”

Because of that experience, Chermak says she now tells her students to travel and become better aware of the strong faith heritage of which they are a part.

Chermak invites parents to find a faith community and become a part of it.

“Love your children and take them to church with you on Sunday,” she said. “They’ll get something out of it even if you don’t think so. You’ll establish a routine that’ll last a lifetime.”

Chermak hopes her students will carry the interest they now have for the liturgy into their high school years and beyond. She reminds them church is a place to come to celebrate the happy times and find support and help for the hard or sad moments of life.

“I tell the eighth-graders before they graduate this church is their home no matter what happens to them in life,” Chermak said.

“Whatever services they need, the church is here to help even if familiar faces are gone. They are never alone. I hope they understand and believe this.”

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