WESTFIELD-In 1992, when Kay Mowatt’s youngest daughter was starting kindergarten, she applied for a shared part-time position at St. Mary’s Parish.
“I loved the thought of working in the church to share my faith with others,” said Mowatt, as she looks back – and ahead – to her retirement this fall after 28 years.
Mowatt and her husband Chris have lived in Westfield since 1986, having joined St. Mary’s Parish after relocating from Newburyport.
“We have four daughters and they all attended St. Mary’s Elementary School,” said Mowatt, who adds they are expecting their ninth grandchild this month.
Kay Mowatt will soon be leaving the Office of Religious Education at St. Mary’s in Westfield after 28 years. A successor is currently being sought. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Mowatt said her hours in the early years followed the school calendar and was “a wonderful opportunity.”
“It was a shared position and I coordinated Sunday liturgies and all activities for children age six and younger,” and Mowatt.
Of course, as the years progressed, Mowatt said as people left the role became a full-time job that encompassed all children grades 6 and younger and parish activities.
“Many things have changed over the years, especially how children learn,” said Mowatt, noting that online activities are now an important part of the curriculum.
One integral facet of the position has been to recruit volunteer teachers.
“It can be challenging to encourage parishioners to give of their time to teach the youth of our parish,” said Mowatt. “I find families to be much busier than when I started.”
As Mowatt begins to wind down her duties, she said the coronavirus pandemic “has changed everything.”
“We are now discussing all options,” said Mowatt, adding, “We will follow the mandates set by the schools and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield.”
In a recent church bulletin posting, Fr. John Salatino outlined the responsibilities for the new director of religious education for grades 1-6. Duties include planning and organizing religious education for grades 1-6; setting objectives and curriculum, recruiting and working with adult volunteers; planning the Catechetical year and calendar; coordinating with the Catechetical program with the diocesan Catechetical office and the parish, and running the “Little Church” and Family Liturgy at the 10 a.m. Sunday Mass.
While Salatino is optimistic he will fill the position soon, he said “Kay will be greatly missed and not easily replaced. She has been incredibly dedicated and selfless, and has touched thousands of lives over the years. Personally, I’m very grateful for her service.”
Juli Jensen-Derrig, elementary school principal, echoed that sentiment.
“Kay was always a warm friendly face to greet her students,” said Jensen-Derrig. “She ran the religious education program with dedication and a great love of her faith that she relished sharing with the students.”
Mowatt said her favorite part of the job has been working with families and getting to know the children.
“I will miss that interaction the most,” said Mowatt. “I have seen my children’s friends have children and become part of the church activities.”
Mowatt said her advice to the next person would be to “meet families where they are and to help bring the Catholic faith to them.”
