April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
REFLECTION
Teaching the teachers
Men and women from a variety of backgrounds are called to share in the Church's catechetical mission. They bring a spectrum of talents and abilities and have differing levels of experience and competence in catechesis. The Albany Diocese, through its Office of Evangelization, Catechesis and Family Life (OECFL), provides many opportunities for training and certification.
Building on the framework in the Vatican's General Directory for Catechesis, the New York State bishops' document "The Catechist in the Third Millennium" and the U.S. bishops' National Directory for Catechesis, the OECFL's program nurtures growth as disciples of Jesus Christ and the knowledge and resources to carry out the ministry of catechesis effectively.
Those in catechetical ministry need to know not only what to teach, but how to teach it. OECFL guidelines include not only theology and Scripture, but methodology, as well. It is the expectation that anyone engaged in this ministry will pursue initial and ongoing formation, taking, on average, the equivalent of four two-hour courses or workshops a year toward their track's certification requirements.
For the past 40 years, our Diocese has gathered its catechists for the annual Spring Enrichment program of courses and workshops. The 41st Spring Enrichment will be held at The College of Saint Rose in Albany May 12-15, 2014, with Bishop-elect Frank Caggiano of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn., as its keynote speaker.
Each fall, the OECFL sponsors "basic certification retreats" where catechists and youth ministers can complete four of the eight basic certification topics for their track or specialization and receive provisional certification. This year, these retreats will be held at St. Joseph's/St. Michael's/Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish in Amsterdam Oct. 19 and at Our Lady of Victory parish in Troy Nov. 2.
In addition, the OECFL sponsors evening or weekend classes that count toward basic and intermediate certification. These are also accessible to anyone wishing to learn more about his or her faith on an introductory level. Parishes, parish clusters and associations of catechetical leaders at the deanery (county) level sometimes arrange for workshops that count toward diocesan certification for their catechetical and youth ministry volunteers.
There are also other programs, such as the DVD-based "Echoes of Faith Plus," which provide resources for small groups or individuals to learn about the faith and how best to share it.
Being catechists in the 21st century means that they can also avail themselves of resources via the internet. Offerings from Boston College (C21), the University of Notre Dame (STEP) and the University of Dayton (VLCFF/Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation) are wonderful resources, but offer far more than what our diocese requires for certification.
While the OECFL is working on developing online course offerings of its own, it may also partner with online programs which would allow those in catechetical ministry to pursue formation and training at their convenience. Further information is anticipated later this fall.
Catechists with past experience or background might be eligible to receive competency credit, which would exempt them from taking a class or workshop if their catechetical/youth minister leader or principal feels that they have demonstrated appropriate competency. They may also pursue formation by working one-on-one with an experienced catechetical leader as a mentor, and may pursue independent or further study using topical bibliographies from Appendix A of the Diocese's Guidelines and Policies on the Formation and Certification of Catechists, Youth Ministers and Catholic School Teachers.
Catechists are expected to use the insights of sound educational psychology and other human sciences in presenting the Christian message according to age, needs, circumstances and capabilities of the learner in front of them. Our Diocese's formation and certification program is about helping to make them the best catechists, youth ministers or teachers possible.
As we celebrate Catechetical Sunday Sept. 15, our Diocese recognizes the achievement of the 138 men and women who have completed the requirements to receive one or more diocesan certifications over the past 12 months. As they went about their busy lives, they took advantage of opportunities to become better catechists, youth ministers and Catholic school teachers.
(Mr. Mawn is associate director for catechist formation and respect life with the diocesan Office of Evangelization, Catechesis and Family Life.)[[In-content Ad]]
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