CHARLESTON—Michael Martocchio was recently appointed director of Catechesis and Christian Initiation for the diocese.
He takes over the position from Sister Pamela Smith, SSCM, who recently accepted the additional role as principal of John Paul II Catholic School in Ridgeland. Sister Pam also serves as secretary for education and faith formation for the diocese, overseeing all of the education departments.
Martocchio, who has a doctorate in systematic theology from Duquesne
University, has been in Charleston since the summer, when he took a job as assistant director of catechesis. Sister Pam said he is “superbly qualified” to take on the responsibility of catechesis, noting that he’s been involved in every aspect of religious education.
Originally from Connecticut, he has also lived in Pittsburgh and, most recently, upstate New York. Along the way, Martocchio has taught theology and served as director of religious education, youth ministry and music ministry.
He first became active in his faith as a teen, he said, and developed a passion for theology when he took courses in college.
“It’s such an important part of what we do as a Church, is educate ourselves,” he said.
He encourages people to make faith formation a priority for themselves and their children and not let it take secondary status in life.
Martocchio does this in his own family, with his wife Kristen and two daughters, Francesca, 3, and Cecilia, 9 months.
“I think, particularly having young kids, we try to make the language of faith our everyday language,” he said. “In other words, we talk about God, we use Bible stories, often as bedtime stories, and we pray together.”
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