By Mary Grieco
Catholic Herald correspondent
Adele Svetnicka: Winner of catechetical award
|
|
EAGLE RIVER -- Adele Svetnicka believes that one of the best examples parents can give their children is to be involved in their parish. Her three children, ages 6 to 12, see that example almost daily, and her involvement also did not go unnoticed by the Superior Diocese. Svetnicka is this year's recipient of the Father Harold Dodge Award for excellence in catechetical ministry, which was presented at the annual fall diocesan conference in Rice Lake.
One of the first things she and her husband, Glenn, did when they moved to Eagle River five years ago was to join St. Peter the Fisherman Parish, and they wasted no time finding out how they could help. With several years of team-teaching experience in other religious education classes, they soon found themselves sharing their faith with first and second graders in their new parish's faith formation program.
"We have so much fun with this group," she said, "and whenever possible we use visual examples. One of the things we do is go on 'field trips' to the sanctuary. That is a good, tangible way to teach kids about liturgy."
Being a catechist for the young children is only one of many ways that Svetnicka serves her parish. In addition to being a lector and eucharistic minister, she has been instrumental in the success of the Celebrating Women Witnesses presentations.
"This has made a huge impact in my life," she said as she named the women she has portrayed: Dorothy Day, Ruth, and St. Catherine of Siena, St. Angela Merici and St. Mary Magdalene. "The purpose is to educate people about what women have done in the history of our church." She has not only played the parts of these women, she has also written or revised many of the scripts.
"Last year I started developing the Bent Woman (from Scripture), and she is now a work in progress," Svetnicka explained. The message she hopes to impart is that "we are all broken somehow, and the way to finding wholeness is through Christ."
Her powerful portrayals have inspired gatherings at St. Peter as well as other locations including the ecumenical, year-round family camp which her husband directs.
Another ministry that is dear to her heart is MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), a Christian ecumenical outreach. Although Svetnicka no longer has preschoolers, she continues to work with mothers, helping to meet their physical as well as emotional needs. "In a supportive atmosphere and through relationships that develop, they can start talking about their faith and how that can help them be better mothers," she said. Svetnicka is a MOPS coordinator, has attended a national convention and hopes to serve as a field leader next year.
"A professional volunteer," is the way Svetnicka describes herself, but she admits she has learned to say "no" on occasion. "It's important to find a balance; otherwise life can get too crazy," she said.
Although her volunteer commitments can be time consuming, she feels that her involvement is good for her family. "I think it is important to teach kids that there is more to mom than just being a mom," she said. "Women need to be reminded of that; sometimes they get lost in the shuffle. It is good for kids to realize it isn't all about them. "Kids also need to see that faith is more than just going to church on Sunday. You have to live it," a lesson, she said, she learned from her own parents. "Part of that is being involved in different ministries. God has blessed us with callings and gifts for a purpose. We need to use them to spread God's message and show God's love."
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2007