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Initial Formation for Catechists
From Certification to Lifelong Formation
(It's not just what you know, but WHO you know!)
At the heart of catechesis we find, in essence, a Person, the Person of Jesus…Accordingly, the definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch
but in communion, in intimacy, 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 Holy Trinity.
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 426; Catechesi Tradendae, 5)
After continued feedback from our catechists and catechetical leaders as well as long, prayerful consideration, we are happy to announce that we have moved away from a certification model to a lifelong formation model for catechists, which places the central emphasis upon discipleship and ongoing formation. This new focus will better engage catechists in their ongoing formation as disciples of Jesus Christ and more effectively equip and enable them to form others as disciples.
What does this mean?- New (or previously uncertified) catechists will engage in Initial Formation in order to gain a basic foundation in the Catholic faith through participation in five workshops (this will be adjusted for catechists who took previous courses).
- After establishing this basic foundation, catechists will be encouraged and expected to mature in faith through Ongoing Formation workshops and other opportunities each year - CLICK HERE for more information.
At the center of this entire process is discipleship! Our goal as catechists is to make disciples, and we cannot do this if our hearts are not on fire for the Lord.- The five Initial Formation workshops have some similarity with our previous eight basic certification courses. Those who were previously certified would begin immediately with Ongoing Formation, while those who were partway through the old certification process would engage with the workshops (courses) not previously taken.
- For the sake of understanding the equivalency to previous courses, please note that 1) Profession of Faith – Jesus Christ = Creed + Christology; 2) Morality and Catholic Social Teaching = Personal Morality + Social Morality; and 3) Church History will now be offered as a part of Ongoing Formation.
Initial Formation Core Workshops
1) PROFESSION OF FAITH – JESUS CHRIST
"This synthesis of faith was not made to accord with human opinions, but rather what was of the greatest importance was gathered from all the Scriptures, to present the one teaching of the faith in its entirety. And just as the mustard seed contains a great number of branches in a tiny grain, so too this summary of faith encompassed in a few words the whole knowledge of the true religion contained in the Old and New Testaments." (St. Cyril of Jerusalem, as cited in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 186)
We profess faith in God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) each time we pray the Creed at Mass. Explore anew the history and meaning of our Creed and its profound relevance to our lives as disciples of Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
2) CATHOLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE
This workshop will engage participants in an introduction to the Catholic understanding of Sacred Scripture. We will explore the structure and content of the Bible, examining how Scripture leads us deeper into the mystery of God and his own self-revelation. Through discussion and participation in this course, the goal is for individuals to recognize and understand the central significance of Scripture in Christian life, worship, and catechesis.
3) PRAYER, SACRAMENTS, & WORSHIP
This workshop will help catechists see the sacred within the ordinary and appreciate how the Catholic Church's life of prayer and sacraments puts one in touch with God. It offers an opportunity to explore the rich tradition of prayer, sacramental theology, and practice that is fundamental to Catholicism. It seeks to engage catechists in an encounter with this essential dimension of Catholic life so that they can better appreciate the meaning underlying the sacraments and their own lives.
4) ECCLESIOLOGY AND THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH
This workshop explores the identity and nature of the Church, which is inseparable from its mission in and to the world. Participants will be drawn into the theology of the Church and discuss what it means to be members of the Body of Christ. Through this course catechists will better understand Christian discipleship as well as the meaning and significance of vocation in the life and mission of the Church.
5) MORALITY & CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING
“The most basic principle of the Christian moral life is the awareness that every person bears the dignity of being made in the image of God.” - U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults
This awareness of each person’s dignity encourages and enables us to consider how we use our freedom for our own good and the good of society. This workshop will engage participants in a reflection on natural law, conscience, virtue, and the elements of the moral act, while taking seriously the challenges of living a life of holiness in modern society. We will also explore the seven principles of Catholic Social Teaching as outlined by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the complementarity of charity and justice, and contemporary issues of peace and justice.
HOW TO TAKE THESE WORKSHOPS
- Franciscan at Home (FAH):
- This formation is free, online, at one’s own pace/schedule, accessible, and not burdensome or overly detailed/complicated
- The costs for FAH are covered by the Department of Catholic Education and Faith Formation (DCEFF)
- Department of Catholic Education and Faith Formation (DCEFF):
- Request a workshop to be taught at your parish/school (10 hr workshop) by an Archdiocese of New Orleans master catechist instructors
- These in-person workshops typically are $20 per person with a minimum of 15 persons required so that non-DCEFF instructors can be compensated
- Diocese of Baton Rouge Office of Catechesis and Evangelization:
- We partner with the Diocese of Baton to allow you to take courses/workshops that they offer
- Their courses/workshops average around $20
- Please contact DCEFF for assistance with choosing equivalent workshops
- University of Dayton Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF):
- We partner with VLCFF to allow you to take the courses/workshops that they offer
- More information on the courses offered through the University of Dayton Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation can be found HERE
- These non-degree courses/workshops available through VLCFF typically average around $100 (DCEFF can provide some assistance to catechists and leaders to help defray the cost to around $50/course)
- Please contact DCEFF for more information on course subsidies as well as assistance with choosing equivalent workshops
Please Note:- When taking your first workshop/course, it is advisable that you begin with the Profession of Faith – Jesus Christ workshop
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Upon completion of Initial Formation (or for those who hold an academic degree in Theology/Religious Education), all catechists and Catholic School administrators are expected to engage in Ongoing Formation each year.
CLICK HERE for more information regarding Ongoing Formation
If you have any questions, please contact:
Deacon Michael Whitehouse (mwhitehouse@arch-no.org)