By Paula Day

St. Pius X in Conyers could typify many parishes in the archdiocese coping with the challenge of developing the faith life of its young people and educating them about Catholicism.

All the elements are present: sudden, rapid growth and a large proportion of young families; no Catholic school within reasonable distance for many families; limited classroom space; enthusiastic volunteer catechists with varying theological backgrounds and teaching experience.

With the coming of new industry into the Rockdale County seat of 56,500 east of Atlanta, a growth spurt has brought the parish population to 950 households. Last year the religious education program involved 520 youngsters in kindergarten through grade 12. Marilyn Lorey, coordinator of the elementary education program, expects that number to exceed 600 this year.

For years catechists at St. Pius have squeezed their pupils into every nook and cranny they could use for classrooms: the ushers’ closet, the cry room, the basement of the rectory. But finally relief came. On September 1 the parish dedicated a new facility with 15 full-size classrooms complete with such heretofore unknown luxuries as desks, chalkboards, “happy birthday” corners and spaces set aside for prayer.

Even with this expansion, elementary classes will be held in two sessions on Sundays and two sessions on Wednesdays beginning September 22. Junior and senior high groups meet on Sunday evenings.

Thirty-nine of the 51 catechists participated in a daylong retreat August 24 as part of their preparation for the new year. Mrs. Lorey describes the difference she sees in the catechists as they begin work in this facility as an emotional one. “There’s a sense of pride, of ownership in the teachers,” she explained, and “an enthusiasm to get started.”

Mrs. Jindrich, who became a Catholic 22 years ago, feels she receives more than she gives to her young brood, especially in a return of affection. After volunteering to help in the program as an aide, three years ago she took over the pre-school group.

Her teaching techniques also are simple, in keeping with the age level. She reads Bible stories for the children to act out. She once read the story of Jesus asking the little children to come to him 12 times because each of the 12 preschoolers wanted to be Jesus. The youngsters make paper puppets connected with Bible stories to take home. Hopefully their parents will ask questions about the puppets and the child’s explanation will reinforce the day’s lesson for them.

Mrs. Jindrich brings a mother’s intuition to her task. Remembering how she used to peek through the window to see how her son, who is now 17, was handling her leaving, she will hold a crying child or two or three children, cuddling them as reluctant parents leave. When one three-year-old became particularly frantic about his father’s leaving, she suggested the frazzled father give his son the car keys to keep for him until he got back. The tot, assured he was not being abandoned, settled down.

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Patty Kirchoff is looking forward to her second year of teaching the First Communion Class. “I love it,” she said. The kids are thirsty for any kind of knowledge you can give them.”

A cradle Catholic, Mrs. Kirchoff received her early religious training at home and in Sunday morning classes. She says she’s still learning about her faith.

“It all hits me now as an adult with my own children. I appreciate how my parents sent me to Sunday school and to church.” She remembers how long Mass seemed in those days of fasting from midnight before Communion. Tired of kneeling she’d rest back against the pew only until she caught her mother’s stern look saying “kneel up straight.”

Patty Kirchoff finds the teacher’s manual for the Sadlier series used throughout the elementary program helpful in planning lessons and providing theological background information.

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Jean Balthrop, a teacher by profession, brings to her role as fourth-grade catechist 29 years of experience, beginning as a girl in high school helping her mother. The native of Mobile, Ala., remembers packing a portable organ into the back of the car to take to an outlying area where her mother was organist and catechist for a small rural Catholic community.

A product of 12 years of Catholic education plus four undergraduate years at Mt. St. Agnes College in Baltimore and graduate study at Boston College, Mrs. Balthrop is committed to teaching young people about their faith.

“I believe very strongly youth today need to learn their Catholic faith,” she said. “I do it (catechetical work) because it’s so important for them to learn the truths of the Catholic faith correctly.”

This year Ms. Balthrop will be chairperson for the team of fourth-grade catechists. She will be the liaison between them and Mrs. Lorey, and will facilitate the exchange of ideas and resources among team members.

Fourth-graders concentrate on studying the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes and the challenge is to present the teachings in positive ways the youngsters can understand. Not enough to know that the fifth commandment forbids them to kill someone, the young people discuss ways to keep the commandment and come up with their own suggestions, Jean Balthrop said. These might be taking care of their health by wearing warm clothing in winter and eating nutritious meals, or protecting younger children from being hurt on the playground or when crossing a busy street.

The Thematic approach for the year’s study is “coming to God’s love through living as a Catholic Christian.”