Elementary Faith Formation
The six tasks of catechesis as outlined in the General Directory for Catechesis (GDC):
Catechesis…
- promotes knowledge of the faith
- promotes knowledge of the meaning of the liturgy and the sacraments
- promotes moral formation in Jesus Christ
- teaches the Christian how to pray with Christ
- prepares the Christian to live in community and to participate actively in the life and mission of the church
- promotes a missionary spirit that prepares the faithful to be present as Christians in society (pg. 6062)
These tasks are imparted through individual relationships, the community of faith, liturgy, instruction, experiential learning, ritual, prayer, and outreach to the global community. “Continuing education in the faith is a question which concerns the whole community; catechesis, therefore is an educational activity which arises from the particular responsibilities of every member of the community, in a rich context of relationships” (GDC #220). Nothing can replace the experience of faith taught and practiced in the household. “Parents are catechists precisely because they are parents” (NDC pg, 203). Therefore central to elementary catechesis is the faith development of the entire household.
Catechesis in the Catholic Schools and Parish Faith Formation Programs are guided by:
- Catholic Schools – Religion Course of Study for Catholic Schools and Curriculum Guidelines
- Parish Religious Education Programs – Resounding the Good News
- USCCB Conformity Listing of Catechetical Texts and Series – http://usccb.org/catechism/document/Currentlist.pdf
Catechetical Resources
Topical and Timely
No, not “tropical”, but many “tried and true” faith formation resources are available. Are you thinking you don’t have months of vacation time to spend researching and reading? Check out the link at the bottom of this page for articles and resources available online or at your local bookstore.
April 2010: “Gospel Plays & Puppet Show Ministry”
March 2010: “Stations of the Cross for Children/Parents/Catechists”
February 2010: “These Forty Days of Lent”
January 2010: “Elementary Education: The Call to Teach”
December 2009: “Twelve Steps of Christmas”
November 2009: “Family Prayer”
October 2009: “Yes, Parents Are REALLY the Primary Religious Educators”
September 2009: “Social Justice Issues-Catholic Social Teaching”
August 2009: “Catholic Identity”
How to Choose Catechetical Textbooks
The Religious Education textbook is one of many valuable tools in the endeavor of Evangelization and Catechesis. The Archdiocese of Baltimore does not recommend a specific textbook series, but rather, recommends a process for choosing an appropriate textbook for the parish community. “How to Choose Catechetical Textbooks: Process and Criteria” published by the National Conference of Catechetical Leadership can be obtained by contacting the Division of Catechetical and Pastoral Formation of the Archdiocese or directly at www.nccl.org or by calling 202-636-3826.
Publishing Company Websites:
Ave Maria Press
Center for Ministry Development
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Liturgy Training Publications
Loyola Press
Our Sunday Visitor
Pflaum
Resource Publications
RCL Benziger/Catechist Magazine
Religion Teacher’s Journal
Sadlier
St. Anthony Messenger Press
Twenty Third Publications
United States Catholic Conference of Bishops
Study and Prayer Resources
Church Documents
- Committee on Catechesis United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Leader’s Guide to the National Directory for Catechesis. Washington, DC: USCCB, 2005.
- Liberia Editrice Vaticana. Catechism of the Catholic Church. Second Edition. Washington, DC: United States Catholic Conference, 1997.
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Catholic Catechism for Adults. Washington, DC: United States Catholic Conference, 2006.
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. National Directory for Catechesis. Washington, DC: USCCB, 2005
- Vatican Congregation for the Clergy. The General Directory for Catechesis. Washington, DC: USCCB, 1998.
The following links to web sites are provided as prayer and study aids:
All About Saints, List of Saints, Patron Saints
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Code of Canon Law
Creighton University Online Ministries Daily Reflections
Prayer and Education by the De La Salle Brothers in Great Britain
Documents of Vatican II
Lectionary
Liturgy of the Hours
Loyola Press Daily 3 Minute Retreats
New American Bible/Readings and Psalms for the Month
Sacred Space Daily Prayer
Stay Great for Seekers, Drifter and Believers
Vatican Scripture Study
Whole Community Catechesis
A Way of Faith Formation
The Christian community is the origin, locus, and goal of catechesis. Proclamation of the Gospel always begins with the Christian community and invites [people] to conversion and the following of Christ. It is the same whole community that welcomes those who wish to know the Lord better and permeate themselves with a new life. The whole Christian community accompanies catechumens and those being catechized, and with maternal solicitude makes them participate in her own experience of the faith and incorporates them into herself. (GDC #254)
Whole community catechesis is a way of faith formation which youth and adults as well as children are invited to participate in faith formation programs throughout the year. The entire community thus becomes the focus of all we do in catechesis.
In whole community catechesis, what happens in the Sunday Assembly for Mass is tightly connected to what happens in the religious education classroom. The Liturgy of the Word from Sunday is the starting point. Catechesis or religious instruction must flow from that Word and each young person is invited to “break open the Word,” to share their faith about what they believe. Also in whole community catechesis, parents play a vital role alongside all the other members of the community. Catechesis is not just for children! It’s for everyone. Every Catholic is invited to know and love the church, to walk with Christ in his or her daily life, and to gather faithfully together on Sunday for the parish Mass.
Added to that, whole community catechesis places great emphasis on developing households of faith. It’s certainly true for a child, but it’s also true for everyone, that no matter how effective our experience of faith might be at the parish, what really counts is how we live that in our everyday lives at home! If our homes are not places where the faith is shared and lived, then the work of catechesis is like sowing seed on rocky ground.
Looking for Resources?
Follow this link: Whole Community Catechesis Resources
Catechist Formation
Congratulations! In choosing to become a minister in your parish or school community, you have taken a step that is one of the most important and rewarding in your life. You have answered God’s call, the call you first heard at your baptism. The call to the ministry of catechist is a vocation, an interior call, the voice of the Holy Spirit. (NDC, 228) The word catechist comes from a Greek root word that means “to echo.” Through your life and your teaching as a catechist you are a person who echoes the Word of God.
For additional formation opportunities or more information visit Equip for Ministry.
Excellent resources! Thanks.