For Catechetical Leaders
Forms
for Use with PATHWAYS
Know the Diocesan Vision for Catechist Formation
Know the Requirement for
Catechist Certification
Description of the PATHWAYS
for Catechist Formation Program
Implementing
PATHWAYS & Obtaining all Resources
Diocesan Recognition of PATHWAYS Certified Catechists
Forms for Use with
PATHWAYS - Parish Level
(listed alphabetically)
Book and Video Order
Forms - for Catechists of
Adults,
Youth,
Children
Echoes of Faith Catechetical and
Methods Sets -
Core Content of Each Module
How to Circulate the
Affirmation & Witness Page
Electronically
How to Obtain PATHWAYS
Resources Need by Catechists
Important Steps to Success Using
PATHWAYS CD - Setting Up Your Computer
Important Steps to Success Using PATHWAYS
online - Setting Up Your Computer
Order Form for CDs and Print
Copies of PATHWAYS -
Online or
Print
Registration Forms to
register Catechists -
Online or
Print
Response Form for Catechists
(current version 090106)
Adults,
Youth,
Children
Self Evaluation
Guides for Catechists (current version 090106)
Adults,
Youth,
Children
Summary List of All Materials Need by
Catechists (updated 01/25/08)
Adults,
Youth,
Children
Time Estimates for
Completing PATHWAYS - for Catechists of
Adults,
Youth,
Children
Viewing Guide for the "Video Workshop for Teachers of Youth",
St. Mary's Press
Senior Level Forms - under
development
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Know the Diocesan Vision for Catechist Formation
Catechist
Formation that leads to catechesis with grace and competence in
every parish across the Diocese
Our Diocesan vision statement We Walk by Faith
encompasses the four dimensions of our mission as a Catholic church:
word, worship, community and service. The Office of Christian
Formation has developed the Catechetical Norms for the diocese based
on this Mission.
Called to Be Disciples
describes Phase I of these catechetical norms for
parish, pastor, catechetical
leader and catechists.
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Know the Requirement for Catechist Certification
in
Called to Be
Disciples
Norm D: The Catechist
(page 27,
Called to Be Disciples)
"Catechists directly share faith with
others in the parish. With the pastor and the designated
leader, catechists form the parish team committed to deepening
parishioners' understanding and experience of Christ and the
Church."
WHO is required
to participate in PATHWAYS?
All parish catechists of
Adults, Youth and Children are required to participate in PATHWAYS. (See # 5 on page 23 in
Called to Be
Disciples)
All parish catechists are to be
registered for PATHWAYS as they begin their ministry as catechists.
November 1st is the annual deadline for registering
catechists beginning in ministry.
WHO is
considered a Catechist?
The catechetical Norm
for Catechist defines a catechist as one who "directly shares faith
with others in the parish." In general, those whose
regular ministry is handing on the faith as part of the parish
sponsored catechetical programming are to be certified.
See commentary on pages
23-24 in
Called to Be Disciples
for more examples.
WHAT is
required of each catechist?
See Norm D: The Catechist
in Called to
Be Disciples, pages 27-28.
The catechetical
Norm for Catechist stated in
Called
to Be Disciples
includes
these foundational requirements:
-
The catechist is a
fully-initiated Catholic in good standing.
-
The catechist has
completed the diocesan background screening forms and Safe
Environment (Virtus) program.
-
The catechist has
completed the PARISH level of PATHWAYS certification within two
years after becoming a catechist AND the SENIOR level of
PATHWAYS certification within two years after achieving PARISH
level certification.
WHAT about the
1998 PARISH Level Certified Catechists?
Catechists who completed the 1998 PARISH Level of
PATHWAYS for Catechist Formation are NOT required to complete the
2004 PARISH Level of PATHWAYS. 1998 Catechists who completed
the program received a diocesan certificate signed by Bishop and
Director of the Office of Christian Formation and a PATHWAYS pin
which can verify their completion.
However, we STRONGLY encourage
these catechists to carefully read and view all of the focus
questions and resources named in the 2004 PARISH Level of PATHWAYS.
WHY? The 2004 Self Evaluation Guide curriculum is now specific
to the age level a catechist teaches, Adult, Youth or Children.
There are specific catechetical documents and teaching/facilitating
strategies important to each level taught. These were NOT
named in the 1998 PARISH Level of PATHWAYS. It will be very
beneficial for all catechists to become acquainted with these
specific documents and strategies.
WHAT is
required of the Catechetical Leader?
Norm C:
The Catechetical Leader
"Along with the
pastor, the designated catechetical leader has specific
responsibilities for the lifelong faith formation programs and
processes in the parish."
The catechetical
Norm for Leader in
Called to Be Disciples, pages 21-26
includes these requirements regarding PATHWAYS:
-
#4. Has
completed PATHWAYS certification at parish and senior levels.
-
#5.
Registers all catechists for participation in PATHWAYS
certification.
-
#6.
Develops and implements a plan to assist all catechists in
reaching PATHWAYS certification
-
within the requisite time limits.
-
#7.
Insures that a record keeping system is in place to monitor
participation of catechists and
-
volunteers working with youth and children in the Virtus process
and background checks as
-
required by Safe-Environment policy.
-
#8.
Conducts an individual or group interview with potential
catechists.
-
#9.
Possesses basic skills for utilization of technology for
communication and for catechesis.
Important -
Catechetical Leaders with 3 or more years of experience may
be eligible to use the
Leader’s
Response Form to complete their PATHWAYS program.
See pages 22-23, 79 in
Called to Be Disciples.
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Description
of the PATHWAYS
Catechist Formation Program
PATHWAYS 2004 provides a
program of learning that includes a curriculum of study, prayer and
reflection.
- Catechists use multiple
resources (texts, articles, video/DVDs & companion booklets) to
guide their study of church documents, catholic doctrine and
teaching/facilitation skills.
- Catechists respond in
writing to focus questions submitted to a trained Reader for
evaluation and certification. Read more about the
Reader Evaluation Process.
- Certified catechists are
recognized with a diocesan certificate and pin.
- PATHWAYS is available in
three formats for use by Catechists:
- Online
- providing the most dynamic interface with internet resources
and related web sites
- CD
- providing the required resource articles used with PATHWAYS
without connection to the internet
- Print
- providing the Catechist with print copies of the Self
Evaluation Guide, Response Form and required articles.
- Only the PARISH Level
of
PATHWAYS for Catechist Formation 2004 is available now.
- The SENIOR level of PATHWAYS for Catechist Formation 2004 will be
available in the near future.
- You may review the
curriculum summary for
both the PARISH and SENIOR levels of PATHWAYS.
Benefits of the PATHWAYS
Formats
Online - For catechists
who have access to high speed internet (some libraries, Panera
Bread, Starbucks, home, work or schools) this format provides the
catechist using the PATHWAYS Self Evaluation Guide with direct links to
required resources and websites with current
and dynamic content. Explore other helpful Catholic websites with
ideas for catechists.
Use of
some additional text and video/DVD resources is necessary to
complete the PATHWAYS program.
Dial up internet connection will be a
bit slower. Using the online version of PATHWAYS provides the
means of completing the Response Form on the computer and an easy
exchange with the assigned Reader.
CD - For catechists
without an easy access to the internet, the CD provides the
Catechist with the PATHWAYS Self Evaluation Guide with links to
required articles that are copied to the CD for easy viewing.
Use of
some additional text and video/DVD resources is necessary to
complete the PATHWAYS program.
The
Response Form can be saved to your personal computer and your
responses typed into the form using your computer and easily
exchanged with your assigned Reader. This format does not provide
links to websites with dynamic and current content.
PRINT - This format
gives catechists a means to read the PATHWAYS Self Evaluation Guide and
companion articles in print.
Use of
some additional text and video/DVD resources is necessary to
complete the PATHWAYS program.
The Response Form has limited
space for handwriting, so catechists are asked to use lined paper to
respond to each of the focus questions, numbering their responses to
match the
Response Form. The Readers will appreciate legible handwritten
responses! Exchange with the Reader will be slower via mail.
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Implementing
PATHWAYS & Obtaining All
Resources
Begin with Yourself -Lead
by example!
As Leader your role includes
motivating and enabling your catechists to complete the PATHWAYS
certification program. Your own commitment to ongoing study
and growth through participation in PATHWAYS will be a powerful
witness to inspire your parish catechists to participate in
PATHWAYS. Read more in
Called to Be Disciples, pages 21-26.
Begin with your Catechists
Create Enthusiasm
PATHWAYS - Step by Step
1. Leader
registers the catechist with the PATHWAYS registrar, Cheryl McLean
using the Registration form (online
or print).
This step is very important so please register catechist BEFORE they
begin PATHWAYS.
2. Leader
provides the catechist with the
resources required for using the
PATHWAYS program. Leader provides the
Technology information to catechists using the online or CD
format of PATHWAYS.
3. Leader
helps catechist find a suitable
mentor, if necessary and supports
the catechist through prayer, encouragement and regular contact.
4.
Catechist begins their work through
the PATHWAYS program as soon as they are registered, viewing the
required videos/DVDs with the companion booklets and reading the
texts and articles to be prepared to answer the PATHWAYS focus
questions. See the Self Evaluation Guide Completion Time Estimates
for
Adults,
Youth,
Children
to plan your work.
5. Catechist
writes their responses to each PATHWAYS focus question using the
Response Form document.
6. Catechist
circulates their completed Response Form with the
Affirmation & Witness page to obtain the affirmation and signatures
of Pastor/Pastoral Coordinator, Leader and Mentor.
7. Catechist
contacts the PATHWAYS registrar, Cheryl McLean,
cmclean@richmonddiocese.org
for a
Reader assignment when they have completed their Response Form and
collected the affirmations and signatures. ONLY Catechists
without email may call Cheryl McLean, 804-622-5253 to
request a Reader.
8. Catechist
sends their completed Response Form with the Affirmation & Witness
page to their assigned Reader.
9. Reader
reads and evaluates
the Response Form and notifies the Catechist and Registrar of
certification.
10. Office of Christian Formation sends a
letter of Congratulations, certificate and pin to the
Pastor/Pastoral Coordinator and Parish Leader
for presentation to the Catechist.
11. Leader plans a
recognition prayer service
appropriate for your parish to recognize
the gifts of your catechist and present them with their certificates
and pins.
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Diocesan Recognition of PATHWAYS Certified Catechists
Parish Recognition
-
Plan a
recognition prayer service
appropriate for your parish community to recognize the gifts of your
parish catechists and present them with their certificates and pins.
-
Celebrate
their journey of growth through PATHWAYS in a festive manner.
Diocesan Recognition
The
Diocesan READER returns the completed and certified Response Form to
the individual catechist with congratulations.
The
Office of Christian Formation sends a letter of congratulations to
the Pastor and to the Catechetical Leader listing the names of
catechists certified that month.
The
Office of Christian Formation sends a letter of congratulations for
the catechist, the Diocesan Certification
Certificate and recognition pin to the Catechetical Leader for
presentation to the catechist.
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