Frequently Asked Questions
What time are the
Pathways fall orientations?
The time is planned for 9:00am – 3:00pm. The
dates and places are posted on the OCF web site. Complete
registration information will be available in the July OCF mailing.
Have the videos
been updated?
The videos/booklets by RCL have not been
changed or updated.
Will there be more
orientations (different times, ie. night)?
Some of the Orientation meetings are on
Saturdays to accommodate the schedules of volunteer leaders. It
would be very difficult to present the necessary information in a
night meeting. The OCF will work with parishes to meet your needs.
Are OCF staff
available to come and help with group meetings?
A team of catechetical leaders is being trained
to give an orientation to the PATHWAYS process, to provide parishes
with as much support as possible. Cluster/regional meetings are the
best use of time and energy!
How long does it
realistically take to complete the Parish Level of PATHWAYS?
OCF is preparing an estimated time schedule for
the PATHWAYS process based on the experience of our “pilot”
catechists and the RCL training materials that will be provided at
the Orientation Sessions. There are many variables that influence
the time: access to required text and videos/booklets; life schedule
of catechist; capacity for reflection; ease with reading and
writing; technology capability. Some of our “pilot” catechists were
able to complete the process in 5 months; others are continuing
their work but feel that one year is more than ample time.
Should I have
catechists start before or after attending the PATHWAYS Orientation?
Please plan to begin PATHWAYS with the
catechists AFTER attending the PATHWAYS Orientation. The
orientation will provide you with many specific helps for
implementing pathways and assisting catechists. The PATHWAYS CD
will also be available then. We are revising the pathways materials
with updated web links and the recommendations of the “pilot”
catechists during the summer.
With my experienced
catechists, at what level do they start in PATHWAYS?
Catechists who have not completed any level of
the 1998 PATHWAYS will begin the 2004 PATHWAYS at the first, PARISH
level with the age appropriate guide. Our pilot catechists included
a number of very experienced catechists, some of whom had been
certified in other dioceses. All of them said they learned many new
things about catechesis in the PATHWAYS process. Try to instill an
attitude of ever increasing competence, i.e., don’t be satisfied
with where you are, no matter how experienced! You also might want
to consider having your experienced catechists be involved in
PATHWAYS by serving as mentors to newer catechists.
Applying PATHWAYS
requirements in family-centered settings – in some groups all adults
take turns leading 1-2 sessions/year – also, since it’s
multi-age. Which category should be used– children, youth, adult?
The skills and resources in the Self Evaluation
guides of PATHWAYS will ensure an effective setting/learning
environment is established with multi-generational learning
settings. If there is more than one catechist, I would suggest one
do the Adult guide and other catechists chose the Youth or
Children’s guide based on their knowledge/experience. The goal
would be to ensure that at least one of the catechists have a
knowledge of the children and one of the Youth guide so the
planning/sessions would be resourced well.
Are there still
three levels (i.e. parish, senior & master) of the PATHWAYS program?
Yes, there are three levels. The 2004 PARISH
level is available; the 2005 SENIOR level is drafted and will be
available in December 2005 and the Master is under development.
If you put the next
edition of PATHWAYS on DVD, what about distributing videos of
program in DVD format too?
OCF has approached the RCL
publishing company about this possibility. For the present, it is
not envisoned by RCL for various complex reasons. I plan to
continue to pursue this possibility in the future.
I’ve been
teaching for several years. Do I have to complete the PATHWAYS program?
Parish catechists are expected to complete the PARISH and SENIOR
levels of the PATHWAYS for
Catechist Formation process to prepare for their catechetical
ministry. PATHWAYS is
designed to motivate catechists to achieve excellence in their
teaching/facilitating skills and competence in their understanding
of Catholic doctrine.
Well, what kind of classes
do I have to take to fulfill these requirements?
Pathways is a guided, self-directed learning process that depends
on independent use of learning resources, e.g. videos, workshops,
books, etc. Each catechist selects the recommended resources to enable him or her to develop a skill area. The Self-Evaluation
Guide directs catechists integration of the information with practical
application to their ministry setting and learners.
How long will this take?
I don’t have a lot of spare time.
The individual catechist chooses the pace and format. Reviewing
each Echoes of Faith video requires approximately four 1-hour blocks
of time. Other resources may be read and reviewed in one hour or
less. The PARISH level is typically completed during the year of
teaching. SENIOR and MASTER levels require more time for reading
and integration. Time well spent!
Do I have to begin with
the PARISH Catechist program? I think I qualify as a MASTER Catechist
after all the years I have been teaching!
The teaching skills and theology topics are unique to each level
so all catechists can benefit from review and enrichment at each
level. To receive the diocesan recognition, experienced catechists
will be asked to complete the self-evaluation process of each of
the preceding levels in addition to the one they choose.
If I complete the PARISH
Catechist level, do I have to keep going further?
Yes, catechists are asked to complete both PARISH and SENIOR
levels of PATHWAYS to complete the diocesan certification for
catechists. Completion of the PARISH catechist level of PATHWAYS
establishes the appropriate training for teaching and facilitation
skills for effective religious education at the beginning of
catechetical ministry. It provides a beginning acquaintance with
church documents and vision for catechetical ministry. The SENIOR
catechist level provides ongoing formation in teaching/facilitation
skills and an overview of Catholic theology appropriate for all
catechists.
Why are you recommending
the Echoes of Faith videos to use with the PATHWAYS Program?
In 1990, the National Conference of Catechetical Leaders (NCCL)
identified the need for developing a catechist training program
accessible to parishes in diverse situations. The NCCL and Resources
for Christian Living Publishers (RCL) have jointly developed the
Echoes series. This video-assisted training program combines network-quality
video with booklets of enrichment articles along with reflection
and problem solving exercises on key theological and catechetical
themes.
How do I go about selecting
a mentor-companion?
The mentor-companion information
page has a complete description of the role and expectations for
the mentor. Begin by asking your catechetical leader to recommend
someone in the parish. You may also invite someone you know who
can fulfill the mentor role.
Can my mentor be the
same as my catechetical leader?
Your catechetical leader may be your mentor if it is mutually agreeable
and he or she can fulfill the role.
Do I have to use the
resource mentioned in the self-evaluation guide? Can I substitute?
No, substitutions are not permitted. The resources named in the
PARISH and SENIOR levels of PATHWAYS were carefully chosen to
provide catechists with relevant information for catechetical
ministry. The focus questions were developed to assist catechists
with both theory and application to their learning situation. Many
of the required resources may be accessed directly from the web
site/CD and printed. Exceptions may only be approved by contacting the
Office of Christian Formation,
dbeeman@richmonddiocese.org.
I completed the 1998
PATHWAYS for Catechist Formation process. Do I have to repeat it?
No, catechists who
completed the 1998 PATHWAYS PARISH level do not have to repeat their
work. However, it is highly recommended
that the catechist read all
the required documents and articles in the 2004 PATHWAYS guide at the
level they teach before they continue with the SENIOR level (e.g.
Adult catechists should read through the PARISH Catechist for Adult
Self-Evaluation Guide).
I have previous
training as a catechist. May I exempt some or all of the PATHWAYS
requirements?
Catechists are models of learning. All catechists can benefit
from ongoing renewal and updating of their knowledge. The catholic
understanding of doctrine is that it is dynamic, growing with the
life of the church and the realities of our time that call for
interpretation by the Church. (See CCC, #94) It is the ideal in this
diocese that all catechists continue their journey of growth in
spirituality and in knowledge of the faith. PATHWAYS offers
catechists access to current church teachings and resources for
their ministry. Individual exemptions are made only by contacting the
Office of Christian Formation,
dbeeman@richmonddiocese.org.
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omplete
the self-evaluation guide on your computer!