Sharing God’s word is all in the family for long-time catechist Violet Menolotto.
Her mother, also named Violet, and sister Delores both also taught scripture to Catholic students in public schools. Her daughter Karen Maia does too.
The mother of nine and grandmother of 29 met most of her large clan at St Mary’s Cathedral on 10 November where she received an apostolic blessing from Pope Francis for two decades of devoted voluntary service at the annual archdiocesan catechist Mass.
“I’m a bit nervous but very happy,” admitted the Our Lady of Victories, Horsley Park parishioner.
“My mother was a scripture teacher at Horsley Park state school for just three years. At her funeral there were men and women who had been in her class, who approached me to tell me how interesting and fun she had made the lessons, while they were still religious and informative.
“’Your mother was so groovy,’ they said.
“I always wanted to do it too, but it had to wait until after I’d finished raising children and stopped working.
“I love the kids and by doing it I’ve developed my faith a lot and learnt more about it.”
Violet was among 54 catechists recognised for a combined 1400 years of service at the Mass celebrated by the episcopal vicar for education in schools, Bishop Daniel Meagher, and concelebrated by a number of clergy from across the archdiocese.
Honours were given for 20, 25, 30 and 40 years of service.
Also receiving certificates were student catechists from 16 schools, including Year 10 student at Aquinas College in Menai, Gemma Lombardo.
The teenager was inspired to volunteer at Bangor Public School by her grandmother, the late Dianne McGrath, who The Catholic Weekly reported received an award for 55 years of service as a catechist in 2023.
“I used to see her every day, she was always doing religious things, and I remember her for that,” she said.
“The opportunity came up just recently and I wanted to do it for her.”
Elizabeth Meagher, mother of Sydney priest Fr Matthew Meagher, was also among those recognised for 20 years of service on the day, which concluded with an afternoon tea reception in St Mary’s Cathedral School Hall.
Also remembered at the Mass were scripture teachers who had passed over to God in the previous year, including Christine McCarthy from St Patrick’s parish in Summer Hill, Gerald King from St Bernard’s parish in Botany, and Noelene Wilkinson from St Kevin’s parish in Eastwood.
In his homily Bishop Meagher praised the catechists’ “incalculable benefit to the Kingdom of God.”
He also thanked outgoing CCD director Mawhinney for his decade of service and welcomed his successor, CCD faith education officer Juliette Morched.
“Like the widow in the temple Doug has given of himself. He has been totally dedicated, as we all know,” Bishop Meagher said.
“Today’s Mass is a testament to his great work. The CCD here in Sydney would be nowhere near as flourishing without Doug’s work.”
To Morched the bishop promised his “total and constant support.”
In comments at the end of Mass, outgoing Confraternity of Christian Director Doug Mawhinney thanked the catechists for their tireless commitment, the clergy who support them, as well as the CCD team for their support.
He also said he was “very grateful and delighted” that Morched will take over leading the agency from next January.
His 10-year tenure at CCD had been “wonderful and an absolute honour”, Mawhinney said.
CCD Sydney supports around 1700 volunteer catechists serving around 26,000 Catholic students in public schools who are enrolled in weekly Scripture classes.