Mothers and daughters to team up for religious education

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
May 3, 2007

MARCUS - At one parish in the Diocese of Sioux City, mothers and daughters have teamed up to help with the religious education program.

Some of the mother, daughter pairs at Holy Name Parish in Marcus have been working together since the daughters were young and helped with vacation Bible school. Now that the daughters are in high school and almost college, they are teaching their own classes in the religious education program.

Rae Anne Alesch is teaching preschool this year and her daughter, Kelsey, teaches third grade.

"She has been helping me since she was 5 years old," said Rae Anne. "When we did Bible school, she would help me do the decorating. When she got into sixth grade, she could be my aide."

She went on to say that since sixth grade Kelsey has been her aide at the preschool. Kelsey has taught religious education either as a team teacher with her mother or on her own while her mom taught another class. Rae Anne thinks her daughter does a good job and is good with kids.

"I always tell everyone that I get more out of teaching than I give," said Rae Anne. "You think you are there to help the kids but a lot of times it helps me. The questions that the kids have make me rethink things and look up things. I think Kelsey is the same way. She enjoys being with the kids, teaching them about God and learning things herself about being a good teacher."

Rae Anne hopes her daughter is "doing something that God would be happy with her for doing and that she would get closer to God through teaching his word."

Kelsey mentioned that teaching religious education brings her closer to God.

"I like teaching the children," said Kelsey, a senior in high school. "I've learned how to teach third graders - how to handle them better."

She added that as mother and daughter teaching has brought them closer together.

"I feel it is important because not a lot of people get involved. It is a good experience to learn how to get along with the kids. You grow stronger in your faith," said Kelsey. "It will help when I have children to be able to teach them what I learned to teach the other children."

Debbie Richardson is teaching fourth grade and her daughter Ashley teaches kindergarten at Holy Name. Debbie has been teaching religious education for 14 years and this was the first year that Ashley had her own classroom.

"Her sister had done it last year and they needed a teacher for kindergarten," said Debbie. "She has helped with vacation Bible school in the past. I think they realize that this is a valuable thing not only do the kids learn but you learn something new every year, too."

Debbie pointed out that she continues to teach religious education because there is a need and she has a desire to "instill our faith in children."

"I like teaching a lot," said Ashley, a junior in high school this year. "I get to help the kids. I get an overview of what I already know about religion. It feels good to teach other kids about it."

She commented that her mom gives her ideas about what to do for class and makes sure Ashley is prepared.

Ashley plans to continue teaching religious education next year.

Rachel Holmes is teaching eighth grade and confirmation class. Her daughter, Lyndsie, teaches first grade. Last year Lyndsie taught third grade and prior to that was an aide. Rachel has taught in religious education for nine years. Rachel mentioned that her mom also taught religious education.

"I think it is pretty awesome to have my daughter teaching CCD classes," said Rachel. "She gave up being in basketball her sophomore year. I told her that God has other opportunities out there for her. Her junior year she started teaching and had to make arrangements with her track coaches that she would miss practice on Wednesday nights. She was willing to do that and they were willing to work with her."

Rachel noted that she has continued to teach because "I love being able to serve the Lord in this way. I love being able to teach kids about the Lord. I am very passionate about it. It is exciting to do."

She hopes that Lyndsie, a senior in high school, gains God's compassion from teaching religious education.

"Kids are all different and come from different backgrounds," said Rachel. "Some of them go to church all the time and some don't. I hope she can learn through teaching the kids that all kids are different but they still need to know about God. It is our obligation as someone who knows about Christ to teach others about Christ. I hope she continues."