Parish Catechetical Leader Parish Catechetical Leader TrainingTraining

Diocese of Diocese of

Springfield-Cape GirardeauSpringfield-Cape Girardeau

What is catechesis?What is catechesis?

ScriptureScripture Church documentsChurch documents

On Catechesis in our Time (encyclical of On Catechesis in our Time (encyclical of JPII)JPII)

The General Directory for CatechesisThe General Directory for Catechesis The National Directory for CatechesisThe National Directory for Catechesis The Catechism of the Catholic ChurchThe Catechism of the Catholic Church

Matthew 28:18-20Matthew 28:18-20

All power in heaven and on earth All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And all that I have commanded you. And behold I am with you always, until behold I am with you always, until the end of the age.the end of the age.

On Catechesis in Our TimeOn Catechesis in Our Time

Catechesis is an Catechesis is an education in the education in the faithfaith of children, young people and of children, young people and adults which includes especially the adults which includes especially the teaching of Christian doctrine teaching of Christian doctrine imparted, generally speaking, in an imparted, generally speaking, in an organic and systematic way, with a organic and systematic way, with a view to initiating the hearers into view to initiating the hearers into the fullness of Christian life –Pope the fullness of Christian life –Pope John Paul IIJohn Paul II

Catechism of the Catholic Catechism of the Catholic ChurchChurch

Quite early on, the name catechesis Quite early on, the name catechesis was given to the totality of the was given to the totality of the Church's efforts to make disciples, to Church's efforts to make disciples, to help men believe that Jesus is the help men believe that Jesus is the Son of God so that believing they Son of God so that believing they may have life in his name, and to may have life in his name, and to educate and instruct them in this educate and instruct them in this life, thus building up the Body of life, thus building up the Body of Christ. (#4)Christ. (#4)

The Catechism of the Catholic The Catechism of the Catholic ChurchChurch

Catechesis aims at putting people …Catechesis aims at putting people …in communion…with Jesus Christ: in communion…with Jesus Christ: only he can lead us to the love of the only he can lead us to the love of the Father in the Spirit and make us Father in the Spirit and make us share in the life of the Trinity. share in the life of the Trinity. (#426)(#426)

The General Directory for The General Directory for CatechesisCatechesis

Catechesis is one of the moments--a Catechesis is one of the moments--a very remarkable one--in the process very remarkable one--in the process of evangelization. (#63)of evangelization. (#63)

The General Directory for The General Directory for CatechesisCatechesis

““Authentic Catechesis is always an Authentic Catechesis is always an orderly and systematic initiation into orderly and systematic initiation into the revelation that God has given of the revelation that God has given of himself to humanity in Christ Jesus, a himself to humanity in Christ Jesus, a revelation stored in the depths of the revelation stored in the depths of the

Church’s memory and in Sacred Church’s memory and in Sacred Scripture, and constantly Scripture, and constantly communicated from one generation to communicated from one generation to the next by a living active the next by a living active traditio.” traditio.” (#66)(#66)

Write down your definitionWrite down your definition

Catechesis is….Catechesis is….

Objective of CatechesisObjective of Catechesis

To put people in communion and To put people in communion and intimacy with Jesus Christ (#80 intimacy with Jesus Christ (#80 GDC)GDC)

Tasks of CatechesisTasks of Catechesis(#85 GDC)(#85 GDC)

To promote To promote knowledge of the knowledge of the faithfaith..

To promote meaningful To promote meaningful participation in liturgical worship participation in liturgical worship and the sacramental life of the and the sacramental life of the Church (Church (liturgical educationliturgical education))

To integrate To integrate moral formationmoral formation into into a Christian way of life. a Christian way of life.

Tasks of CatechesisTasks of Catechesis To To teach how to prayteach how to pray with Christ, in with Christ, in

Christ and in communion with the Christ and in communion with the Church.Church.

To initiate the Christian into the life of To initiate the Christian into the life of the local church community and foster the local church community and foster active participation in the mission of active participation in the mission of the church. (the church. (educate for community educate for community life.life.))

To promote a missionary spirit that To promote a missionary spirit that prepared Christians to witness to Christ prepared Christians to witness to Christ in society. (in society. (missionary initiationmissionary initiation))

How is your parish doing?How is your parish doing?

List examples of how the parish List examples of how the parish catechetical program is achieving catechetical program is achieving the objective and these tasks of the objective and these tasks of catechesis.catechesis.

Where is there room for Where is there room for improvement?improvement?

TheThe National Directory for National Directory for CatechesisCatechesis

Catechesis is Christ centered:Catechesis is Christ centered:

Explicitly and consistently proclaim Explicitly and consistently proclaim the name, teaching, promises and the name, teaching, promises and mystery of Jesus Christ, as well as his mystery of Jesus Christ, as well as his announcement of the coming Reign of announcement of the coming Reign of God.God.

Develop through effective teaching, Develop through effective teaching, adult faith formation, and catechist adult faith formation, and catechist formation programs, the personal formation programs, the personal relationship that Jesus has initiated relationship that Jesus has initiated with each of his disciples.with each of his disciples.

Promote conversion to Jesus Christ Promote conversion to Jesus Christ and communion with him through and communion with him through the sacraments, especially the Holy the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist.Eucharist.

Teach, in a way that can be Teach, in a way that can be understood by specific cultures, that understood by specific cultures, that Christ is the ultimate meaning and Christ is the ultimate meaning and purpose of history; and provide purpose of history; and provide programs that help all who catechize programs that help all who catechize to present the teaching of Christ to present the teaching of Christ “about God, man, happiness, the “about God, man, happiness, the moral life, death, etc. without in any moral life, death, etc. without in any way changing his thought.”way changing his thought.”

Help all who catechize to Help all who catechize to understand that, like Jesus, their understand that, like Jesus, their teaching is not their own but, rather, teaching is not their own but, rather, comes from God.comes from God.

Question:Question:

Is your parish catechetical program Is your parish catechetical program Christ centered? Name one specific Christ centered? Name one specific way it could be improved, and way it could be improved, and decide how that could be decide how that could be implemented.implemented.

Parish catechetical Parish catechetical programs need to include programs need to include the following elements:the following elements:

Message Community

Prayer and Worship

Service and Justice

Mission

Moral Formation

Message

Scripture and the teachings of the Church are to be presented within the context of the faith story of each person, the culture and capacity of the learner.

Prayer and Worship

Learners should be exposed to many forms of prayer and worship to help them become persons who are in love with Jesus and who have the ability to to participate fully, consciously and actively in the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church.

Community

Christian community is formed through

interaction, faith sharing and genuine care for each other.

Service and Justice

Students are to be exposed to the call to service and justice, which is inherent in the message of Jesus and the teachings of the Church.

Moral Formation

Moral formation is necessary so that the students learn how to apply the teachings of Christ to their lives. We need to help them learn how to live the Catholic Christian way of life, which is more than avoiding evil.

Mission

How will your parish spread the Good News? While not all are called to work in foreign lands, all are called to invite others, in various ways, to a relationship with the Lord.

Catechetical Ministry in the Catechetical Ministry in the ParishParish

ParishParish PastorPastor ParentsParents CatechistsCatechists Catechetical PlanCatechetical Plan Religious Education committee or Religious Education committee or

commissioncommission Catholic SchoolCatholic School PrincipalPrincipal Parish Catechetical Leader (DRE/CRE)Parish Catechetical Leader (DRE/CRE)

Catechist CertificationCatechist Certification

Parish Catechetical LeadersParish Catechetical Leaders All catechists should be working on itAll catechists should be working on it PSR, Catholic Schools, RCIA, Youth, PSR, Catholic Schools, RCIA, Youth,

Adult FormationAdult Formation Information on diocesan web site or Information on diocesan web site or

at dioceseat diocese

Survey catechetical Survey catechetical needsneeds

Survey at MassSurvey at Mass Parent survey or feedbackParent survey or feedback Assessment tools for program Assessment tools for program

participantsparticipants Religious Education committee, Religious Education committee,

boardboard CatechistsCatechists Pastor, PrincipalPastor, Principal

Setting GoalsSetting Goals

After needs assessmentAfter needs assessment

Look back at tasks of catechesisLook back at tasks of catechesis

Examine resources available (time, Examine resources available (time, people, money)people, money)

Set short term and long term goalsSet short term and long term goals

EVALUATE and re-prioritizeEVALUATE and re-prioritize

Reflection, re-assessment, evaluation is Reflection, re-assessment, evaluation is essential!essential!

Three important toolsThree important tools

BudgetBudget CalendarCalendar Resource Resource

LibraryLibrary

Working with VolunteersWorking with Volunteers

Discern

Recognize

Train Support

Orient

Select

Discover

CatechistCatechist

Catechist RecruitmentCatechist Recruitment

Job descriptionJob description Ongoing recruitment, all year longOngoing recruitment, all year long Be known for excellenceBe known for excellence Continually support. BE POSITIVEContinually support. BE POSITIVE Help volunteers reflect on their Help volunteers reflect on their

performance and callperformance and call Appreciate!Appreciate!

Once you have a volunteer:Once you have a volunteer:

ApplicationApplication Clear expectationsClear expectations Virtus training (safe environment) Virtus training (safe environment) Background screening: through Background screening: through

diocese, call references, review diocese, call references, review applicationapplication

Ongoing trainingOngoing training Observation, feedback from parents Observation, feedback from parents

and studentsand students

CurriculumCurriculum Consult diocese before Consult diocese before

you select for any you select for any program: PSR, program: PSR, sacramental sacramental preparation, RCIApreparation, RCIA

Consult diocesan Consult diocesan websitewebsite

Why? Diocese has Why? Diocese has approved textbook list, approved textbook list, guidelines, feedback guidelines, feedback from others, FREE from others, FREE copies, publisherscopies, publishers

Safe EnvironmentSafe Environment

Follow diocesan policyFollow diocesan policy Be the enforcer, record keeper Be the enforcer, record keeper

or know who isor know who is Be observant, vigilantBe observant, vigilant Ask if you aren’t sureAsk if you aren’t sure Report any concernsReport any concerns

Safety issuesSafety issues

Volunteer selection and screeningVolunteer selection and screening Safe Environment policySafe Environment policy Insurance-risk management issuesInsurance-risk management issues SupervisionSupervision Medical concernsMedical concerns Fire, weather emergenciesFire, weather emergencies DisciplineDiscipline

Safety issuesSafety issues

Sexual HarassmentSexual Harassment Counseling studentsCounseling students Privacy of students, familiesPrivacy of students, families Pick up and drop off proceduresPick up and drop off procedures Playground safetyPlayground safety Field tripsField trips Permission formsPermission forms TransportationTransportation

Sacramental PreparationSacramental Preparation

It is essential to have some It is essential to have some training in sacramental theology.training in sacramental theology.

Read diocesan policy.Read diocesan policy. Discuss with your pastor, Discuss with your pastor,

evaluate each year.evaluate each year. PLAN AHEADPLAN AHEAD It does get easier!It does get easier!

What is Sacramental What is Sacramental Prep?Prep?

Normally, First Reconciliation and Normally, First Reconciliation and First EucharistFirst Eucharist

Sometimes ConfirmationSometimes Confirmation RCIARCIA Infant BaptismInfant Baptism MarriageMarriage Ongoing catechesis on Holy Orders, Ongoing catechesis on Holy Orders,

AnointingAnointing

What to include?What to include?

Catechesis for children always includes Catechesis for children always includes catechesis for the parentscatechesis for the parents

Catechesis should also happen at home-Catechesis should also happen at home-the parish needs to help parents with thisthe parish needs to help parents with this

““Break open” the rituals, celebrate ritualsBreak open” the rituals, celebrate rituals Sacraments are celebrated, not just Sacraments are celebrated, not just

receivedreceived The parish catechizes, and we catechize The parish catechizes, and we catechize

the parishthe parish

Other considerationsOther considerations Offer an organized, but not rigid program, Offer an organized, but not rigid program,

with schedules given to families far in with schedules given to families far in advanceadvance

Make adaptations and allowances for Make adaptations and allowances for individual circumstances and needsindividual circumstances and needs

Be welcoming, approachable, joyful and Be welcoming, approachable, joyful and reconcilingreconciling

Don’t be afraid to call families to become Don’t be afraid to call families to become moremore

Celebrate the sacraments well, get help, Celebrate the sacraments well, get help, help the priesthelp the priest

Initiation for ChildrenInitiation for Children

It is very messyIt is very messy Get help from diocesan officeGet help from diocesan office Be approachable and welcomingBe approachable and welcoming Be creative Be creative

AdultsAdults

Rite of Christian Initiation of AdultsRite of Christian Initiation of Adults Faith FormationFaith Formation

Sacramental catechesisSacramental catechesis

Small groupsSmall groups

Bible StudyBible Study

Book discussionsBook discussions

lectures, DVDs, movie nights …lectures, DVDs, movie nights …

Family CenteredFamily Centered Verbal and written communication stresses Verbal and written communication stresses

partnership between parents and parishpartnership between parents and parish Encourage active contact with parentsEncourage active contact with parents Be sensitive to family situations and Be sensitive to family situations and

structuresstructures Celebrate and affirm cultural experiencesCelebrate and affirm cultural experiences Sacramental preparation is a family event Sacramental preparation is a family event

(even RCIA)(even RCIA) Family life curriculum should be part of all Family life curriculum should be part of all

catechesiscatechesis

Family CenteredFamily Centered

Parents should know what their children Parents should know what their children are learning, and help re-enforce the are learning, and help re-enforce the learning at homelearning at home

Invite, affirm and encourage participationInvite, affirm and encourage participation Regularly communicate with familiesRegularly communicate with families Offer periodic family and/or parent Offer periodic family and/or parent

sessionssessions Plan/schedule parish activities with the Plan/schedule parish activities with the

family in mindfamily in mind

Family CenteredFamily Centered Follow up with families who are not presentFollow up with families who are not present Follow up with families who begin and drop outFollow up with families who begin and drop out Ask for and encourage evaluation and feedbackAsk for and encourage evaluation and feedback Provide free child care for those who volunteer Provide free child care for those who volunteer Provide free child care for parent meetingsProvide free child care for parent meetings Allow families to eat together instead of going to Allow families to eat together instead of going to

parish meetingsparish meetings Help families learn how to pray together and Help families learn how to pray together and

communicate with each othercommunicate with each other

LiturgyLiturgy

Know the liturgical documents, Know the liturgical documents, discuss with your pastordiscuss with your pastor

Celebrate liturgies wellCelebrate liturgies well Involve familiesInvolve families

Human SexualityHuman Sexuality

Read diocesan policyRead diocesan policy Incorporate into catechetical Incorporate into catechetical

programs programs

It may not be necessary It may not be necessary to have separate program.to have separate program.

Special NeedsSpecial Needs

Recognize the special needs of adults and Recognize the special needs of adults and children in the catechetical programschildren in the catechetical programs

Ask for this information at registration Ask for this information at registration (confidential)(confidential)

Work with parents, public school Work with parents, public school teachers, doctors, if necessaryteachers, doctors, if necessary

Make accommodations graciouslyMake accommodations graciously Check with diocesan office, church Check with diocesan office, church

documentsdocuments

Plan of ActionPlan of Action

Identify two personal goals:Identify two personal goals:

How will these be achieved?How will these be achieved?

When?When?

Plan of Action for ParishPlan of Action for Parish

Identify three areas for improvement:Identify three areas for improvement:

What are your next steps?What are your next steps?

Establish a time line for your action Establish a time line for your action plan:plan:

Begin formulating an action plan for Begin formulating an action plan for the next 3-5 yearsthe next 3-5 years

O Word of God,O Word of God,

May the works of our hands May the works of our hands and hearts prosper.and hearts prosper.

Make us towers of strength Make us towers of strength that can withstand all of the that can withstand all of the buffeting winds buffeting winds encountered during the encountered during the coming year.coming year.

May we be beautiful in your May we be beautiful in your eyes, a beacon of hope for eyes, a beacon of hope for all who seek to know you.all who seek to know you.

Bless our labor, Father, Bless our labor, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.Son, and Holy Spirit.

Bring those whom we Bring those whom we catechize to faith in Jesus’ catechize to faith in Jesus’ name.name.

Amen.Amen.