Kathy Fuller

I have been a member of the Church my entire life. It is only in the past 25 years that my faith became central to my life. I was married at my childhood parish, St. John Vianney in Walnut Creek. John was not Catholic, so we had a ceremony, but no Mass. We joined St. Catherine shortly after. Three years later we became parents and baptized Joey here. Jack followed. We attended Mass regularly, but that was it.
 
The first step in my deepening faith came along by accident. Although, is anything really an accident when God is involved? Joey was starting first grade and I read in the bulletin that catechism sign-ups were that week. So, I bring Joey and his baptismal certificate and go to the office to sign him up. We were a little early, and waiting outside was Theresa Taylor and her girls. I asked her if this was where the sign-ups were, and she gave me a confused look and said, this was where the catechist meeting was. Well, I guess I misread the bulletin. I was sure this was sign-up night. She then tried to get me to stay for the meeting. “Why?” I asked. “Don’t you want to teach 1st grade?” She asked. My mind raced thinking, no. I am not a teacher. I grew up Catholic, went to church and attended faith formation classes, made all my sacraments, and now it was time to inflict the same on my kids. She somehow convinced me to stay, and that was over 15 years ago.
 
When I was asked how I became a catechist I used to blame Theresa, but she heard me one Sunday in the hall telling that to someone and, quite correctly, said that it was the Holy Spirit that led me to my ministry. She was just the vehicle to deliver the message. And, she was right. Here I am going on my 16th year teaching and enjoying it. I was meant to do this. The first year I taught I felt like I was barely staying one step ahead of my students. I needed to educate myself in my faith.
 
I completed my certificate in catechesis through the Serra Catechetical Institute and a three-year program at the School for Pastoral Ministry. These programs helped bring me closer to God and have helped me to see that I was not just put on this earth to take up space. That is a lesson I try to impart on my students and my own kids. God has a plan for all of us, and he wants us to help his church and others in any way we can. I am not going to say it is always easy. But it is always rewarding. I am always trying to learn more and more about the faith. The more I know, the more I want to know.
 
When you understand the why and how of being Catholic, you are drawn toward a relationship with God that is amazing. When you use your talents and abilities to help build St. Catherine of Siena parish from the inside, you make the world outside a better place.