Meet St. James Parish Religious Education Teacher
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Alisha Schindler:
The Joy
ver the years, Jesus had been Gospel of the week, which Father tugging on Alisha Schindler’s will be preaching on that coming heart, calling her to share His love, Sunday,” she says. “It is really nice truth and beauty with others in a how the curriculum provides a story meaningful way. Recently, she was that the children can really relate to able to open her heart to this call as well.” in a profound way by saying “yes” Alisha also loves bringing the to being a Faith Formation cateday’s lesson to life through interchist at St. James Parish. esting hands-on activities. “I had been thinking of ways to “We always have a ‘word of be more helpful and serve our parthe week,’ and in the past we have ish, so when Ann Voller, our Faith played Hangman and Pass the Formation Coordinator, reached out Ball to help them remember what to me and invited me to become a they have learned,” she says. “I catechist, it seemed like the perfect have found that the best way for opportunity,” she says. “It was honchildren to retain information estly not something I had considis through games and activities. ered before she mentioned it, but Things stick for kids when they I soon realized it was a way I was enjoy what they are learning.” meant to entwine myself more into Of all of the activities that the life of our parish. I took a look Alisha has done with her students, at my work schedule and realized I After giving a heartfelt “yes” to Jesus, her favorite is likely when they Alisha Schindler began teaching first-grade found a unique, creative way to could make time for it.” Religious Education about two years ago. pray for others. After giving a heartfelt “yes” to Jesus, Alisha began teaching first-grade Faith Forma“Last year, we made prayer fences, and the children tion at St. James about two years ago. were so excited about it!” she says. “They had to think of “It has been a very rewarding experience,” she all the people or things they wanted to pray for and put says. “I enjoy teaching my first-graders because they notes inside the fence with these intentions. I suggested are so excited to be in class. They are eager to learn that they put them next to their beds, and remember to and they have an unreal number of questions!” pray by their fence whenever they felt led to.” Alisha enjoys using the set curriculum given to her, As a convert to Catholicism, Alisha has found that which includes a mini-story and a Gospel reading. teaching Faith Formation helps her continue on grow“The curriculum coordinates its lessons with the ing in her spiritual life in amazing ways.
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“Being a catechist has brought me closer to the children at our parish. I love how eager they are to learn, and I enjoy watching them grow in their faith throughout the course of the year. They make you think of things in a whole new way. If someone is thinking about being a catechist, I would tell them, ‘By all means, go for it!’” — ALISHA SCHINDLER
