Susan Williams
Name, Parish, Role in Parish: My name is Susan Williams. I am the Parish Catechetical Leader at St. Joseph in Princeton and Blessed Sacrament in Oakland City.
How was your faith formed? My faith was first formed by my parents, Madge and Frank Scherrer. My father was raised in a German Catholic family. The faith he passed on to me was instilled in him at the age of 9, when he contracted typhoid fever and was anointed by the parish priest. His family kept a vigil at his bedside and prayed for healing. After several days, the fever broke and my father survived. By the time I knew him, he was an active, practicing Catholic faithful to the teachings of the Church and mindful of the presence of God in our daily lives. My mother joined the Catholic Church before she and my father married. Together for more than 50 years, they formed the faith of my three brothers, my sister and me.
Who or what has been a big influence in your life? I knew from an early age that I wanted to be a teacher. When I was in second grade, the first lay teacher at St. Joseph School was my teacher. Her love for learning was contagious, and her gentle spirit inspired me to be a better person. Then, in high school, an English teacher saw a gift in me that I had not yet discovered. Her insight gave me the courage to try new things. As an adult, I once heard a homily comparing life to a journey. It sounds simple, but that simple comparison has influenced me many times to keep going, to not get stuck in the road, to keep moving forward.
What do you do in your role as a parish catechetical leader? In my role as PCL, I plan, implement, monitor and assess parish programs in faith formation and education. My areas of responsibility include sacramental prep for children and adults, catechist formation, curriculum selection, youth and high school programming, fundraising, adult study groups and school resource. My work is divided between the Catholic communities in Princeton and Oakland City.
Who do you consider to be positive role models today? The Diocese of Evansville is blessed with wonderful role models in our priests, deacons and religious brothers and sisters. In this, the Year of Consecrated Life, we only have to look to them for a positive example of the Christian life.
What are your dreams for parish faith formation today? My dreams for parish faith formation are twofold: First, I believe that faith formation is a lifelong process. I believe that we continue to discover God’s plan for us in all stages of life and that that discovery, whenever it happens, is amazing. I dream that our faith formation programs help all our parishioners discover the wonders God has in store for us. Second, I believe that we connect with God best when we are in community with our brothers and sisters in faith. I dream that our programs offer all the faithful opportunities to “be” community both inside our churches and out.
How do you nurture your faith life? I nurture my faith life first of all through the regular celebration of the Eucharist and daily prayer. I also love to read stories of other peoples’ faith journeys. Online I listen to the wisdom of Pope Francis on Rome Reports and Whispers in Loggia. I teach a ladies study group once a week, and I find the preparation for this class very fulfilling.
What makes being a Catholic so important to you? In the midst of life’s trials and heartaches, God is always constant. I learned that from the Church, and I continue to experience that faithfulness in the lives of Catholics around me. The Church for me is the ideal source of strength and comfort in a troubled world.
What is your best wisdom on life? Life is a journey. We are all at different places on the way. At times we meet others on their own journey. We cannot know all of where they have been or all of where they are going, but we can know them now. We can walk with them for this time and we can be at peace with one another.
What is a scripture quote that you would like to share? “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” – Matthew, chapter 5
The Diocesan Office of Catechesis compiles “People of Faith.”
