Many years of catechetical preparation to better minister to the people of the Church of Los Angeles was celebrated Sept. 13, the week before Catechetical Sunday, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

More than 900 catechists, with family members and friends looking on, were recognized at the annual Service of Prayer and Commissioning of Catechists, receiving certificates from Cardinal Roger Mahony.

"Catechesis is part of the church's mission of evangelization," Cardinal Mahony told those gathered in both English and Spanish. "This evangelizing is carried out by you who are responsive to a call to ministry. You have received the mandate to sow the seeds of the Gospel message and transform our world by recognizing the signs of God's presence with us. It is a great joy for me to commission you today."

Father David Loftus, who coordinates Adult Education for the archdiocesan Office of Religious Education, noted that the celebration honors men and women, "ordinary folks, coming together from all over this archdiocese who have been working, studying - sometimes without a formal educational background - and they bring the love for Scripture, the love for the faith and the church."

For many of the catechists, their expressions and reactions spoke louder than words. Some turned from the line after receiving the certificate and faced the altar, holding the certificate up in the air as a sign of thanksgiving to God. Others looked at the certificate and beamed to waiting family and friends, who supported them on their long road to certification.

"We build the expectation in the people through their classes that if they accomplish everything, if they do their homework, if they don't miss their classes, then at the end they will have a chance to get a letter from the cardinal and shake his hand at the cathedral," said Lourdes Gonzalez-Rubio, responsible for advanced studies in Spanish for the ORE. "I think that is one of the greatest motivations for the people. Some people have been serving as catechists in their parishes for years, and now they have the education, too. It is a big day."

Two parishioners from St. Charles Borromeo Church, North Hollywood, noted they had spent many years preparing just to begin the three-year master catechist program. "It means a lot," said DRE Vicki Curran. "It's something I wanted to do for a long time and it never quite fit in the picture. So I am very happy."

For Susan Jakel, who carpooled with Vicki to classes, receiving a certificate as a master catechist "is kind of like a dream." She attributes her success to the support of friends and her pastor. "I'd spent a lot of time teaching and sharing with others, but I always felt like there needed to be more for me to be able to share with them. So I was always looking for more. It's very important."

"I am very excited," said new master catechist Karina Placencia from St. John of God, Norwalk. "This is something my mother wanted. She was a master catechist for 25 years. I will continue to spread God's word and prepare catechists for the future."