ASHEVILLE — Parishioners at St. Lawrence Basilica gathered recently to honor Elizabeth Girton, who is retiring as faith formation director after more than two decades of service.
A garden-themed party was held to celebrate her legacy to the Asheville parish, and everyone was given seed packets to take home to plant. On the back of each was printed this tribute: “You’ve gently sown the seeds of faith by what you've said and done. God used you to bless and grow His kingdom, one by one. Thank you, Elizabeth, for all you have done to make an eternal difference in the faith of God’s children.”
Father Roger Arnsparger, pastor, thanked Girton for her service to the basilica. He referred to the devotion to Mary, Undoer of Knots, and said that a dedicated catechist is an undoer of knots in people's understanding of the faith. He said that Girton’s efforts will bear fruit in the lives of those she served for many years.
In the church bulletin, Girton recounted her service at the basilica:
“As I retire, I want to share with you my gratitude for your support throughout the years that I have worshiped with and served you, the community of the Basilica of St. Lawrence. Our plans for the future are nebulous at this time, but I will still be here in Asheville for a while, although now I will be able to go to our lake house in Tennessee on a more permanent basis.
It has been a blessing to have, through the Holy Spirit, established a thriving faith formation program for adults and children, both Spanish and English, with your prayers to bolster us.
“When we arrived in Asheville, there was just a small program in English for children on Sunday mornings with a minute group of adults who met for catechetical classes via video presentations. There was a small group of ‘converts’ who met preparing to be received into the Catholic Church. Over the years, all these have blossomed to include over 300 young people receiving catechesis in both Spanish and English.
“Over the years catechists have completed the diocesan requirements for their own formation in the faith, volunteers were trained on the proper process for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, and over 200 people have been through the Rites with you becoming fully initiated Catholic Christians. All this is to the credit of the faith-filled members of the Basilica and our Lord. Thank you!”
— Tim Reid, correspondent