Retreats offered for certification

"There is no way that anybody can say they can't be certified," said Sister Patricia Conron, CSJ, associate director of catechist formation for the diocesan Office of Religious Education.

Each retreat provides opportunities for catechists to complete courses in the context of a retreat experience; courses include: the call and mission of a catechist, the catechetical text as a tool, effective catechetical techniques, and creative discipline.

Catechists must take an additional 20 two-hour courses in future years to receive full certification; some choose to receive advanced certification through St. Bernard's Institute, Spring Enrichment or the diocesan Formation for Ministry Program.

Getting catechists to see faith formation as a vocation and not just a volunteer commitment is a goal from the General Directory for Catechesis and the New York State bishops.

"All of us have a ministry in the Church, a specific vocation and calling," she said. "Once you've had a little experience [with religious education], you recognize that this is a marvelous opportunity to share your faith. And catechists are a wonderful community of people."

(Basic Certification Retreats are scheduled for the following parishes: St. Mary's, Crescent, Sept. 18; St. Helen's, Schenectady, Sept. 25; Nativity/St. Mary's, Stuyvesant Falls, Oct. 23; St. Thomas, Delmar, Nov. 6; Sacred Heart, Stamford, Nov. 6; and Annunciation, Ilion, Nov. 20. For more information, call 453-6630.) (PQ)

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