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September 11, 2015
Christina GrayFall marks the beginning of a year-round roster of programs aimed at certifying Hispanic Catholics as basic, advanced and master catechists.
According to Franciscan Sister Graciela Martinez, the archdiocese’s associate director of Hispanic catechesis, aspiring catechists meet weeknights at the chancery in San Francisco.
“I have discovered that second-, third- and fourth-generation Hispanics, while fluent in English, sometimes do not speak Spanish but have strong cultural roots in their Hispanic expressions of faith,” she said. “They are consequently grateful for bicultural, bilingual accompaniment.”
The free program is offered by the archdiocese’s Office of Religious Education and Youth Ministry.
“Most of my students come to class in the evenings after a full day of work,” she said. “I know their struggles as parents, many of them with small children and their eagerness to learn more about their faith and to grow spiritually so they can share with their faith communities.”
The Basic Certification program kicks off this September with several events, including a retreat day at St. Matthew Parish on Sept. 19 and two evenings of enrichment titled “Women in Scripture” on Sept. 20 and Oct. 7.
Contact Sister Graciela Martinez at (415) 614-5650.