PALM BEACH GARDENS | On May 14, Father Duván Bermúdez, director of the School of Christian Formation, reminded the 85 graduates of the program that the celebration was not the culmination of their mission but the beginning. “First in your home, then in your parish community. And also to be good Christians in our Diocese of Palm Beach,” he said.
Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito congratulated the graduates while presenting certificates that proclaim them “Agents of Evangelization.” Joining him at the cathedral Mass were Father Bermúdez; Carmelite Father Christopher Iannizzotto, parochial vicar of St. Jude in Boca Raton; Father Gavin Badway, cathedral rector; Father Brian King, episcopal secretary; and Deacons Martin Sandigo and Robert Laquerre.
In his homily, Father Bermúdez tied together the graduation with the day’s feast of St. Matthias, who was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot as a member of the twelve apostles, as recounted in the Acts of the Apostles.
“The word we have heard invites us to be good disciples of the Lord Jesus. To love him, remain in him, and also produce good fruits,” he said.
“Today, our Lord Jesus says to you, to continue to be good disciples, to remain in him, to grow in your faith,” Father Bermúdez added. “As we heard in the response today to our responsorial psalm, ‘The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.’ Today you are Jesus’ disciples, and he is saying to you to continue proclaiming his good news.”
The School of Christian Formation began in the 1990s as an outreach to local Hispanics, but now the diocese recommends the courses, offered in English and Spanish, for all the faithful, especially those serving in liturgical, educational and spiritual ministries. The classes are taught over a three-year period at parishes throughout the diocese aiming to achieve four goals:
To nourish and challenge Catholics with a deeper personal understanding of their faith tradition.
To enable participants to bring this experience to their families, friends, places of work and ministry.
To explore the Catholic tradition from our local context as a diverse church with members of different cultural backgrounds and with varying ministerial needs.
To situate our experience of faith, church and ministry in light of the teachings and documents of the Second Vatican Council.
The curriculum follows the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” in three divisions: Our Faith, Celebrating Our Faith and Living Our Faith. Students who complete all the requirements, including an annual retreat shortly before graduation, receive the certificate from Bishop Barbarito.
At the end of the graduation Mass, the bishop said that, by completing the program, “you will be a great witness to our faith, as Father Duván said in his homily. And what a wonderful occasion to receive that on a feast of an apostle, St. Matthias. You too carry out the mission of the apostles by proclaiming and living your faith, making a difference in the lives of others.”
To learn about the diocesan School of Christian Formation and its various courses, visit www.diocesepb.org/ministriesoffices/ministries/hispanic-ministry/school-of-christian-formation/ or contact Armando Garcia at 561-775-9544 or agarcia@diocesepb.org.
