Perhaps you know that my job as a priest of Jesus Christ is to teach, to preach and to sanctify the people of God. I love doing all of these things. But with some of them, I need a little help. In the department of teaching, I have reinforcements.
It is my great pleasure to announce that Richard A. Budd has accepted my invitation to serve as the Director of Religious Education for Saint Bernadette Church.
Rich brings a zeal for Christ and sharing the faith to his new role in our community. His credentials include a Masters of Theological Studies from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, and both a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Catechetical Diploma from Magdalen College. He also has most of yet another Master’s degree, as well as formation at the Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Michigan. Until accepting this position, he taught religion at Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington, VA, and earlier taught at the Thomas Burton Academy in Burton, Michigan.
Already during the summer, Rich has begun coming up to speed on the organization and requirements of our catechetical program. He spent much time with Neil Sloan, who did such excellent work as Interim DRE, and to whom I am grateful. He doubtless learned enough to be formulating plans to launch our upcoming school year.
Rich has been a parishioner of Saint Bernadette for two years, and is excited to take up this vital role in bringing our kids and families to a stronger knowledge of and relationship with Jesus. He loves the parish, and looks forward to getting to know you better. He will oversee the catechesis of our students in both the school and the Religious Education program, and the preparation of all of our kids for the sacraments.
One of the developments in our parish that I am most excited about is the growth in participation and community among the families in our Religious Education program. Rich’s talent and zeal will help this trend continue, and help it to enrich our entire parish.
I am glad to be confident that you will welcome him and lend him your full support and cooperation in the work of sharing the Gospel of Christ, in which we are all blessed to have a part.
Because when it comes to the Truth, and the Way, and the Life, we can never have too many good teachers.
Monsignor Smith
