MARGARET WICKWARE

Faith involves ‘a lifetime of learning’.

The above phrase caught my attention when it was recently used by a reviewer of Pope Benedict XVI’s newest publication, Jesus of Nazareth.  While I would have always associated it with this great theologian, it is only comparatively recently that I have come to personally associate faith and learning.

Originally from Canada, I am a ‘cradle Catholic’- that is baptised as a Catholic within days of my birth as was the practice decades ago. I remained connected with the Church in large part because it seemed to offer me a sense of comfort –particularly as I moved away from home for college and eventually relocating to New York City as a banker. Regardless of where I was, I felt that Sunday Mass connected me with my roots, my family and its values. Although I had grown to adulthood, my intellectual understanding of my faith had pretty much stalled at the level of a young child, essentially that what I had learned from my parents. Sadly, this elementary school level of understanding was not significantly helped by marriage preparation or the baptismal preparation offered to us after our daughter, Carolyn was born. My only recollections are the discussion of obligations and logistics pertaining to these celebrations.

However, when Carolyn was about three years old, she entered the ‘why’ stage. Besides noting the different colours used in the Church, she asked lots of questions ‘Why is the priest washing his hands?’ is one that comes to mind. I quickly realized that I needed help if I was going to pass on the gift of faith to this inquisitive child!  I was blessed of a very supportive husband, however, he was not raised as a Catholic and thus, I knew this task was essentially mine.

I inquired at our Manhattan parish about a preschool religion programme and soon I had a class of eight young children gathering weekly in our parish hall. In the process of seeking out a substantive programme for these children, I met another mother who had been received into the church as an adult. Her knowledge and witness to her faith did not go unnoticed. I still remember her mentioning the word ‘magisterium’ and how she had to explain the existence and the importance of the teachings of the Church that have been handed down to us. I had written multi-million dollar loan proposals for office and residential buildings and yet I couldn’t converse about my faith!  

Besides training to serve as a catechist in a Montessori based catechetical programme for young children, I joined a bible study group at our parish. With these ‘tasters’, I became aware of such resources as the Catechism of the Catholic Church. However, I also knew that I needed a framework for any study of my faith.  Just at that time, my husband was offered a transfer to London, UK. Through our pastor in NYC, I heard about the Maryvale Institute (www.maryvale.ac.uk) and in January, 2002, I made my first trip to Birmingham to begin studies for a Masters in Religious Studies and Catechesis. In short, it has been an immensely rewarding experience. I now understand the significance of my own baptism as it relates to my daily living - that concern for others is not just good citizenship or ‘the right thing to do’ but an integral part of our baptismal calling - to imitate Christ. I am now beginning to understand the gestures that comprise the Church’s liturgical celebrations. Most importantly, I have learned that faith is much more than the reception of the sacraments; it is ‘a lifetime of learning’ – of growing in one’s faith.