Archbishop Diarmuid Martin with Colette Furlong and former Bishop of Clogher Liam McDaid Personal Profile
Matthew Carlson speaks with a lay catechist
Although many people may think that their grandparent is the most religious grandparent out there, Colette Furlong may be able to take that award home. Colette, who is the Catechist for the cluster of parishes in Sligo recalls that as a child, her ‘nanna’ was the most influential person in her walk with God. “When she came to visit, she always checked to make sure we knew our prayers, she was great,” Colette says. “Anytime we went to stay with nanna, it didn’t matter what day of the week it was, you always found yourself at Mass which was confusing to a child, everyday seemed like a Sunday.”
Colette recalls that she was quite religious even at a young age. “I came in contact with Charismatic Renewal way back in the mid 80’s. That would’ve had quite an impact on me. It was the first time I saw Catholics with a Bible in their hand which was wonderful.”
Passion
As Colette got older, her passion for Christ grew and felt a calling to serve the Lord so she became employed by a religious order, but after a few years felt that her call was in a different direction that the way the organisation was moving, so she parted ways with the organisation.
As the voice of calling became louder, Colette received her Master’s degree in theology with a specialisation in liturgy and became by a catechist in a parish in Sligo and has been doing that ever since. As a catechist, Colette is tasked with creating parish-based initiatives that engage people, but mostly adults and parents in events happening in the Church in preparing children for Sacraments. However, Colette says that it can be difficult to engage parents in these activities.
“The parents will come to that, not all of them, but we get a good enough attendance, but once they’re done, that’s it. They’ve completed the course, then they go back to normal,” says Colette.
Normal being not being involved in the Church, or if they are, it is at a minimal level. Colette continues that even the events around Advent and Lent such as study group or prayer reflections don’t interest these parents if they don’t have to be there.
Colette realises that although this issue in the Church is troubling, it isn’t necessarily new. “I would say that most likely my parents were much the same as the parents now – they’re busy, or they believe they are too busy to do anything outside of what they have to,” says Colette.
Colette reflects back on her own childhood growing up in the Church and although she believes her siblings to have Faith in God, she is the only child of her family who attends Church.
She attributes this to opportunity. Colette says that her life provided the opportunity for her to be involved in the Church and something clicked within her and she embraced it and has loved it.
Programme
“I feel like it has something to do with the expectations of a previous generation, and they do see a value and a good in doing whatever programme we ask them to do,” says Colette. She continues that parents usually want what is best for their children, but don’t do what is best for themselves.
“And it’s not their fault, but it’s a bit like children eating broccoli, you don’t want to do it, but the benefits are fabulous,” says Colette. “Developing a taste for it can be tough, but it can also be rewarding at the same time.” Although parents try hard to make their kids eat their vegetables, Colette does her best to make sure that those parents are eating their spiritual vegetables.
In addition to her work at Sligo Parishes, Colette is also involved with the World Meeting of Families (WMOF) providing a point of view from both children and liturgy. She recalls that she always had an interest in music but classes and instruction weren’t as available as they are today.
She remembers the first time she was able to touch music with her own hands. “I was probably around 20 at the time and there was a guitar lying around and somebody showed me how to play E minor and A and it took off from there.”
Now, Colette plays both acoustic and electric guitar and is able to share her musical abilities with the children in her parishes.
Three new children’s choirs were created with Colette’s help and features elements of classic liturgy with innovative and creative sounds to intrigue the children listening.
“I actually get paid for what I do which is crazy, because I’d do it for free, although I still have to pay my mortgage, but this was God’s plan all along, and it’s an awesome plan,” says Colette. She says that her life’s theme verse thus far comes from Psalm 23 saying: “‘The Lord is my shepherd, I shall want for nothing’, and I don’t.”