Religious Education
CATECHETICAL LEADERS


CATECETICAL LEADERS

The single most critical factor in any effective parish Catechetical Program is the leadership of the professionally trained parish Catechetical Leader. “NDC-2005”

“Successful catechesis in a parish requires much time, effort, coordination, and expertise. Therefore each parish needs a designated leader or leaders whose primary responsibility is to coordinate its catechetical endeavors. Each designated leader should be recognized by the Office of Religious Education in accordance with its current guidelines.” (Handbook for Parish Catechesis, Section 2,p11)

“The Bishop of Springfield would like all parishes (or groups of parishes) to have an appropriately qualified and compensated catechetical leader, as outline in this document, to oversee this very important ecclesial ministry.” (Handbook for Parish Catechesis, Section 2B,p14)

In the diocese of Springfield the term “Catechetical Leader” is used to describe the person or persons responsible for all or part of a parish religious education program. In keeping with the guidelines promulgated by Bishop McDonnell in 2006 the minimum requirement would be that the person participate in the Elms ITPS Program in conjunction with the Diocesan Lay Ministry Program and receive certification through the Office of Religious Education. A more in-depth explanation of duties and responsibilities as well as a job description can be found in the Handbook for Parish Catechesis.

For information on courses offered by the ITPS, contact Dr. Martin Pion of Elms College at 413-557-6924 or go to www.elms.edu. For information on diocesan certification contact Sr. Paula Robillard, SSJ at 413-452-0812 or go to CONTACT US on this website.

To apply for a diocesan subsidy for ITPS courses, contact Janice Kissel at the Office of Lay Ministry (413-452-0824) or Jean Raczkowski at the Office of Parish Ministries (413-452-0652) or for either go to CONTACT US on this website.

Our diocesan Office of Lay Ministry has entered into a partnership with Elms College that provides a generous discount for graduate credit for those ministering in parishes or Catholic schools of the Diocese of Springfield. To apply for that subsidy, contact Janice Kissel at the Office of Lay Ministry (413-452-0824) or Jean Raczkowski at the Office of Parish Ministries (413-452-0652) or for either go to CONTACT US on this website. There are a limited number of subsidized slots per semester, so each individual must apply each semester.

ENRICHMENT OF CATECHETICAL LEADERS

Parish Religious Educators (PRE), a diocesan organization of catechetical leaders, collaborates with the Office of Religious Education (ORE) to provide educational and spiritual enrichment for those who lead our parish religious education programs.

PRE (Parish Religious Educators)
PRE is an association of professional parish religious educators acting as an effective link with members, diocesan offices and the various parishes in the Springfield Diocese. The principle purpose is to create a supportive community which seeks to update and inform its membership. Each year’s program is designed to focus on the expressed needs of the group. Membership is open to anyone ministering a parish as a catechetical leader. By contacting the Office of Religious Education or a member of the Board, you may join at any time.


In addition, ORE belongs to and collaborates with the New England Conference of Diocesan Directors of Religious Education (NECDDRE) to provide the following opportunities for catechetical leaders:

  • The biennial New England Convocation of Catechetical Leaders, in August of odd numbered years;
  • The biennial New England Adult Faith Symposium, in August of even numbered years;
  • Catechetical Leadership Seminars; and
  • Passport to Success workshops.


Some of these opportunities are hosted by our diocese, notably the biennial Convocation, and others are offered regionally, within a reasonable commute from our diocese.

ORE also sponsors periodic workshops within our diocese, specifically aimed at current issues of interest to catechetical leaders, such as:

  • How to present workshops for parents on the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, and/or reconciliation;
  • Overviews of the norms of catechesis in our diocese according to our diocesan Handbook for Parish Catechesis;
  • An annual Breaking Open the Gospel of (Matthew, Mark, or Luke) prior to the beginning of a new liturgical year;
  • A biennial publishers’ luncheon, highlighting the newest catechetical materials.