Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst delivers messages to Catholic school teachers and catechists during visit to Diocese of Green Bay
By Maria Foss | On Mission
GREEN BAY – The Diocese of Green Bay welcomed Vatican delegate Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst to speak at the All School Professional Development Day on October 18 and the Catechetical Conference on October 19. Both events were held at Notre Dame Academy.
The All Schools Professional Development Day provided Catholic school teachers and administrators with a day of learning, collaboration, and reflection through talks, breakout sessions and prayer. Saturday’s Catechetical Conference included resources and workshops for catechists, religious education coordinators, youth ministers and OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) team members.
Bishop Tebartz-van Elst, who serves as the Delegate for Catechesis of the Vatican Dicastery for Evangelization, provided the keynote address for both events.
In his address to Catholic school teachers and administrators, Bishop Tebartz-van Elst emphasized Adele Brise’s exemplary faith and devotion to Christ through the Blessed Mother. The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion stands on the site of the reported apparition of Mary to Brise in 1859. Bishop Tebartz also encouraged teachers to not only live out the Catholic faith but also to share it in their classrooms.
“The weakness of communication at schools often has to do with the fact that our courage to take such steps and paths is still rather underdeveloped,” he said. “It is not methods and structures that help to share it. Living and sharing faith provides the motivation and is also the driving force.”
In his Saturday address, Bishop Tebartz-van Elst invited catechists to live and share the faith by embracing the cross, witnessing conversion and showing compassion in their ministry.
“To bear a personal cross enables us to carry the cross of others by embracing the cross of Christ,” said Bishop Tebartz-van Elst. “This communion makes catechists capable to show and talk about what our faith is about.”
“Only those who are inflamed by faith can guide those looking for faith in catechesis,” he added.
Reflecting on the weekend, Bishop Tebartz-van Elst said that he was inspired by the faith and courage of those who attended the conference and professional development day, especially since he believes that many people have lost the courage to pronounce the faith and live in unity.
“I have learned a lot about the courage people have – the catechists and teachers in this diocese – to live this,” he said. “Go ahead in your so focused way of evangelization. We can learn all over the world from your example.”