By Jeff Peters
Catholic Herald correspondent

Young teachers excited about religious ed

PHILLIPS --When Sherrie Kandutsch, coordinator of the religious education programs at Our Lady of the North in Phillips, decided to have young parish members teach the religious education classes, she had little doubt they could handle it, and it has worked out even better than she imagined.

"They are doing an excellent job," she said. "Last year when I was planning on putting on summer Bible school, I made the decision that I would have students put on the classes.

"Since I was a teacher in the school district before I took this job, I knew these students and knew their talents. I didn't have any doubt that they could do the job."

The students who teach the class are equally excited about their teaching experiences.

Jason Karpinski, 16, said, "I really enjoy teaching the classes because I like sharing God's word and I like kids. I can teach them what I know about God from my religious experiences.

"I like making it an enjoyable experience for the class, so they can also have fun while they're learning. I think the kids listen better because we are so close in age," he said.

Another of the student-teachers, Erin Laurila, 18, said, "We all enjoy sharing our faith with the kids. It is a learning experience for both the teachers and the students. I feel I have a lot of faith to share and it's just nice to give back to the students. I think I have the best class ever."

Jennifer Podhora, 18, felt the classes also help the kids grow closer to one another and to God. "They are making new connections with what faith really is all about Ð giving myself to God. Let Him tell me and show me what I'm supposed to be. God needs to be a part of our life the entire week, not just on Sunday."

Fellow 18-year-old, Becky Ringersma, isn't shy about expressing her delight with her students: "I have the cutest class ever and they are just terrific. I hope the kids remember the basic lessons. Remember the faith we share with them and the faith they share with us.

"The interaction between the students has been great," she said, "They have shown they really want to learn and are excited about the teachings of the Bible."

Joe Karpinski, 21, said, "The kids really respect what we are doing and that makes teaching easy. We do a lot of interesting things to keep their attention. This works because we can relate to each other so well."

Jessica Lovelace, 18, also likes sharing her faith. "This is a good time. We all get along pretty well."

Kandutsch said the classes are an integral part of the student's faith. "Confirmation is known as 'the sacrament of Christian maturity' and is a step in a person's faith journey that not only stresses maturity, but commitment, knowledge, freedom and active participation.

"We at Our Lady of the North Parish can see this commitment at work. Our youth have become active participants in our parish," she said. "Not only do they participate in Mass, but they are active in community service.

"These young adults have received the grace of the Holy Spirit and have become full members in the life of our church. These people are proud to be Catholic and know that one of the church's most important missions is to share of the love of Jesus with the children of the parish.

"These six are doing that," said Kandutsch. "I am very proud that they are willing to share their faith with others."

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2003