Parish Catechetical Leader Training

1. Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau Parish Catechetical Leader Training

2. What is catechesis? • Scripture • Church documents • On Catechesis in our Time (encyclical of JPII) • The General Directory for Catechesis • The National Directory for Catechesis • The Catechism of the Catholic Church

3. Matthew 28:18-20 • All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold I am with you always, until the end of the age.

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

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

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

7. The General Directory for Catechesis • Catechesis is one of the moments--a very remarkable one--in the process of evangelization. (#63)

8. The General Directory for Catechesis • “Authentic Catechesis is always an orderly and systematic initiation into the revelation that God has given of himself to humanity in Christ Jesus, a revelation stored in the depths of the Church’s memory and in Sacred Scripture, and constantly communicated from one generation to the next by a living active traditio.” (#66)

9. Write down your definition • Catechesis is….

10. Objective of Catechesis • To put people in communion and intimacy with Jesus Christ (#80 GDC)

11. Tasks of Catechesis(#85 GDC) • To promote knowledge of the faith. • To promote meaningful participation in liturgical worship and the sacramental life of the Church (liturgical education) • To integrate moral formation into a Christian way of life.

12. Tasks of Catechesis • To teach how to pray with Christ, in Christ and in communion with the Church. • To initiate the Christian into the life of the local church community and foster active participation in the mission of the church. (educate for community life.) • To promote a missionary spirit that prepared Christians to witness to Christ in society. (missionary initiation)

13. How is your parish doing? • List examples of how the parish catechetical program is achieving the objective and these tasks of catechesis. • Where is there room for improvement?

14. TheNational Directory for Catechesis Catechesis is Christ centered: • Explicitly and consistently proclaim the name, teaching, promises and mystery of Jesus Christ, as well as his announcement of the coming Reign of God.

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

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

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

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

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

20. Parish catechetical programs need to include the following elements: Message Mission Community Prayer and Worship Moral Formation Service and Justice

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. Catechetical Ministry in the Parish • Parish • Pastor • Parents • Catechists • Catechetical Plan • Religious Education committee or commission • Catholic School • Principal • Parish Catechetical Leader (DRE/CRE)

25. Catechist Certification • Parish Catechetical Leaders • All catechists should be working on it • PSR, Catholic Schools, RCIA, Youth, Adult Formation • Information on diocesan web site or at diocese

26. Survey catechetical needs • Survey at Mass • Parent survey or feedback • Assessment tools for program participants • Religious Education committee, board • Catechists • Pastor, Principal

27. After needs assessment Look back at tasks of catechesis Examine resources available (time, people, money) Set short term and long term goals EVALUATE and re-prioritize Reflection, re-assessment, evaluation is essential! Setting Goals

28. Three important tools • Budget • Calendar • Resource Library

29. Discover Select Discern Catechist Recognize Orient Train Support Working with Volunteers

30. Catechist Recruitment • Job description • Ongoing recruitment, all year long • Be known for excellence • Continually support. BE POSITIVE • Help volunteers reflect on their performance and call • Appreciate!

31. Once you have a volunteer: • Application • Clear expectations • Virtus training (safe environment) • Background screening: through diocese, call references, review application • Ongoing training • Observation, feedback from parents and students

32. Curriculum • Consult diocese before you select for any program: PSR, sacramental preparation, RCIA • Consult diocesan website Why? Diocese has approved textbook list, guidelines, feedback from others, FREE copies, publishers

33. Safe Environment • Follow diocesan policy • Be the enforcer, record keeper or know who is • Be observant, vigilant • Ask if you aren’t sure • Report any concerns

34. Safety issues • Volunteer selection and screening • Safe Environment policy • Insurance-risk management issues • Supervision • Medical concerns • Fire, weather emergencies • Discipline

35. Safety issues • Sexual Harassment • Counseling students • Privacy of students, families • Pick up and drop off procedures • Playground safety • Field trips • Permission forms • Transportation

36. Sacramental Preparation • It is essential to have some training in sacramental theology. • Read diocesan policy. • Discuss with your pastor, evaluate each year. • PLAN AHEAD • It does get easier!

37. What is Sacramental Prep? • Normally, First Reconciliation and First Eucharist • Sometimes Confirmation • RCIA • Infant Baptism • Marriage • Ongoing catechesis on Holy Orders, Anointing

38. What to include? • Catechesis for children always includes catechesis for the parents • Catechesis should also happen at home-the parish needs to help parents with this • “Break open” the rituals, celebrate rituals • Sacraments are celebrated, not just received • The parish catechizes, and we catechize the parish

39. Other considerations • Offer an organized, but not rigid program, with schedules given to families far in advance • Make adaptations and allowances for individual circumstances and needs • Be welcoming, approachable, joyful and reconciling • Don’t be afraid to call families to become more • Celebrate the sacraments well, get help, help the priest

40. Initiation for Children • It is very messy • Get help from diocesan office • Be approachable and welcoming • Be creative

41. Adults • Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults • Faith Formation Sacramental catechesis Small groups Bible Study Book discussions lectures, DVDs, movie nights …

42. Family Centered • Verbal and written communication stresses partnership between parents and parish • Encourage active contact with parents • Be sensitive to family situations and structures • Celebrate and affirm cultural experiences • Sacramental preparation is a family event (even RCIA) • Family life curriculum should be part of all catechesis

43. Family Centered • Parents should know what their children are learning, and help re-enforce the learning at home • Invite, affirm and encourage participation • Regularly communicate with families • Offer periodic family and/or parent sessions • Plan/schedule parish activities with the family in mind

44. Family Centered • Follow up with families who are not present • Follow up with families who begin and drop out • Ask for and encourage evaluation and feedback • Provide free child care for those who volunteer • Provide free child care for parent meetings • Allow families to eat together instead of going to parish meetings • Help families learn how to pray together and communicate with each other

45. Liturgy • Know the liturgical documents, discuss with your pastor • Celebrate liturgies well • Involve families

46. Human Sexuality • Read diocesan policy • Incorporate into catechetical programs It may not be necessary to have separate program.

47. Special Needs • Recognize the special needs of adults and children in the catechetical programs • Ask for this information at registration (confidential) • Work with parents, public school teachers, doctors, if necessary • Make accommodations graciously • Check with diocesan office, church documents

48. Plan of Action • Identify two personal goals: • How will these be achieved? • When?

49. Plan of Action for Parish • Identify three areas for improvement: • What are your next steps? • Establish a time line for your action plan: • Begin formulating an action plan for the next 3-5 years

50. O Word of God, May the works of our hands and hearts prosper. Make us towers of strength that can withstand all of the buffeting winds encountered during the coming year. May we be beautiful in your eyes, a beacon of hope for all who seek to know you. Bless our labor, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Bring those whom we catechize to faith in Jesus’ name. Amen.