She is leader, catechist and mentor to more than 200 students in her faith formation programs and is the creative, artistic, musical, animated idea generator for the teachers/volunteers and parents who are also part of her programs.
She has a room full of resources she created to enhance the lives of her students. The list includes, Holy Land; Scattegories: Confirmation Edition; Connect Four: Catholic Edition; Build a Church; Wheel of Catholic Fortune, and many others. She is a wife and mother of three grown children and serves as the Director of Faith Formation at All Saints Parish, Somersville. Her name is Susan King and she is working very hard to remind people that the Norwich Diocese and the Catholic Church are alive and well in her corner of our state!
Susan has an unending supply of energy that is rooted in deep faith and the overriding belief that the Holy Spirit is currently present in all our lives. You can find her in class helping students and teachers, in the parking lot chatting with parents, at church kneeling in prayer, or at her desk reading a book or reference materials about the Catholic Church. She has been involved in catechesis for more than 15 years in the diocese and has held her current post at All Saints for 10 years.
If you ask anyone who has worked with Susan, they will tell you she is a very kind and gentle soul. Her pastoral approach to catechesis is not only welcoming and inviting, it is also endearing. Her interactions with others are a true Christian witness to her faith and leave people wanting to know more about the faith she emulates. When asked what keeps her motivated, she replies, “...those brief ‘Ah-ha’ moments where I look deep into the eyes of the students, parents and catechists – that is when I am reassured by God that I am doing His will. That is when I know my purpose as a member of the Body of Christ.”
The implementation of the new diocesan curriculum this year has brought about many changes for catechists, students and parents. Although change is never easy, Susan fully embraced the shift from religious education to faith formation. The ability to accompany our students on this part of their lifelong spiritual journey is a challenge for which she is certainly ready. Her favorite change was starting retreats and service projects at every grade level. “What I truly enjoy is running retreats and youth group gatherings. These opportunities allow for discussion and prayerful refection upon what truly matters to a student,” she said.
In a world where what we believe and teach our children about faith is counter-cultural, it’s refreshing to know that there are people who value the morals and ideals of the Church enough to share them freely with others. “My family members remind me constantly how much the parish youth and their parents depend upon my guidance with regards to their faith,” says King. We are all blessed to have Susan helping to do God’s work in her parish and in our diocese!
-- By Andrea Hoisl