Why Participate in PATHWAYS?

"… it is fundamental to have adequate pastoral care of catechists … Consequently, diocesan pastoral programs must give absolute priority to the formation of lay catechists."
General Directory for Catechesis, #233-234 *

Catechesis, the proclamation and transmission of the gospel, is a primary task of the Bishop. Pastors, parents, and lay catechists participate in this sacred task with the Bishop in unique and specific ways.

Delegated by the Bishop, the Office of Christian Formation provides the comprehensive catechist formation process for all parish catechists of adults, youth and children. All catechists are asked to complete both the PARISH and SENIOR levels of PATHWAYS. Othere may choose to complete the MASTER level.

This diocesan catechist certification process will be mandated by Bishop DiLorenzo as a part of Called to Be Disciples: Catechetical Norms for the Diocese of Richmond and announced in the Spring, 2005. Compliance with the norms will begin during 2006-2007.

Parishes will be provided a year of orientation during 2005-2006 to become familiar with this new catechetical norms and the catechist certification process. Catechists may being the PATHWAYS for Catechist Formation process during this orientation year.

Catechists participating in PATHWAYS for Catechist Formation will:

• Nurture their spirituality and faith,
• Build enthusiasm for their ministry,
• Develop creative skills,
• Discover new methods and resources, and
• Be surprised by God's grace!

PATHWAYS provides a three-level formation process:

• PARISH Catechist
      For Adults
      For Youth
      For Children
• SENIOR Catechist
      For Adults
      For Youth
      For Children
• MASTER Catechist

Who is the PARISH Catechist?

The PARISH Catechist is one who is beginning as a catechist and wants to develop skills and confidence to be effective with his or her learners ... OR ... is one who has been teaching for some years. PATHWAYS offers these catechists an opportunity to strengthen their skills and challenge themselves to learn more.

Benefits

PARISH Catechist of Adults, Youth, or Children
This first level of formation for PARISH Catechist provides you with opportunities for growth as a person of faith; effective teaching/facilitating skills; and a plan for your ongoing training and developing spiritual life.

Ongoing Spiritual Development

• Understanding my vocation as Catechist
• Developing my personal gifts
• Reflecting on my journey of conversion
• Spending time in prayer
• Committing myself to justice and charity
• Choosing a mentor-companion

Building Teaching/Facilitating Skills

• Involvement learning strategies
• Active listening skills
• Group discussion techniques
• Effective group facilitation skills
• Positive discipline
• Creating a sacred space for prayer
• Creating an environment for learning
• Preparing an effective session plan
• Understanding the learning characteristics of the learner

Development and Training as Catechist

• Understanding the four roles of the catechist
• Participating in parish formation
• Reading diocesan policies and national documents
• Reading basic catechetical documents
• Completing appropriate diocesan screening and safe environment processes
• Reading a national Catholic magazine
• Reading the Catholic Virginian

Testimonial

"Completing the PARISH Catechist portion of the PATHWAYS process has empowered me to catechize my students with a deeper understanding of my faith, and a better grasp of their needs as growing Catholics and students. The process has enriched me as a Catholic and as a catechist – I look forward to completing the process with the SENIOR and MASTER level in the years to come. The process is a must for every catechist!"

– PARISH Catechist, Barbara McGrath

Who is the SENIOR Catechist?

The SENIOR Catechist is the catechist who has been teaching for some time and is comfortable with his or her basic teaching/facilitating skills. SENIOR Catechists want to learn more so that they can become creative in their lessons or presentations. They are ready to deepen their knowledge of Catholic theology and church documents.

The SENIOR level will be available in winter, 2005.

Benefits

SENIOR Catechist of Adults, Youth, or Children
This second level of formation as SENIOR Catechist provides for continuing growth in faith, maturing spirituality, learning styles and methods, learning designs for special needs, Catholic theology, Catholic social teaching, and church documents.

The Senior Catechist develops skills and competencies in these four major areas:

Ongoing Spiritual Development

• Choosing a Mentor
• Nurturing Spiritual Growth
   

Developing Teaching/Facilitation Skills

• Learning styles and methods
• Inclusive Religious Education and adaptations for disabilities
• Multiculturalism and Immigration - Understanding & Welcoming Others
• Learning Environments
• Multiple Intelligences theory and methods
• Technology Skills for Catechists
• Liturgical Principles for Liturgy and Prayer with Children or Youth

Understanding Catholic Theology/Church Documents

• Introduction to the Scriptures
• Church Documents
• Introduction to the Creed
• Liturgy and Sacraments
• Prayer and Spirituality
• Ecumenism
• Catholic Morality
• Catholic Social Teaching

Development and Training

• National and Diocesan Catechetical Events/Programs
• Reading a national Catholic magazine
• Reading the Catholic Virginian
• Reading Just News Newsletter of the Office of Justice and Peace
• Attending parish catechist training
• Developing an ongoing plan for growth

Who is the MASTER Catechist?

MASTER Catechists have a long-term commitment to catechetical ministry. Teaching for several years, they seek skills and knowledge to enable them to mentor and help train other catechists.

Benefits

MASTER Catechist of Adults, Youth, or Children
The MASTER level of formation for Catechists of Adults, Youth, or Children continues to develop the personal spirituality and faith of the catechist. It provides study of church history, catechetical documents, faith development theories, integration of social mission into religious education, adult learning theories, and mentoring skills.

The MASTER level is under development.

* Excerpts from General Directory for Catechesis, © 1997, Libreria Editrice Vaticana – United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C.  Used with permission.  All rights reserved.  No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the permission in writing from the copyright holder.