Religious Education
CATECHISTS

CERTIFICATION OF CATECHISTS ENRICHMENT OF CATECHISTS RESOURCES FOR CATCHISTS

Catechists are those called to echo God’s word as they promote knowledge of the faith, provide liturgical education, aid in moral formation, and teach others to pray. They are sometimes referred to as CCD teachers or Religious Educators.

Welcome to the web page designed for the people of Springfield who serve as catechists. You are the backbone of every parish’s catechetical program.

Realizing that catechists are called to grow as disciples and become more skilled and knowledgeable, “It is the expectation of the diocese that all catechists be trained and certified.” We suggest that you contact your catechetical leader about training and formation opportunities or see CERTIFICATION OF CATECHISTS for more information.

The Diocese of Springfield has a tradition of recognizing outstanding catechists from each parish at the yearly Pius X Award Ceremony held in each of the four regions. The Pius X medals bear a likeness of the Pope who was so influential in modern Religious Education. The bishop awards the medal to those catechists who are recognized by their parish community for their outstanding service. They are then encouraged to wear their medals at Diocesan and Parish catechetical events. For local celebrations of this award see CALENDAR OF EVENTS.

CERTIFICATION OF CATECHISTS:
Those who volunteer in their parish religious
education programs should participate in the
courses that will lead to certification through
the joint efforts of our diocesan Office of Lay
Ministry and Office of Religious Education.

Level 1: Essential Catechist Training (ECT)

The individual should participate in twelve hours of practical learning experiences, by choosing any one of the following, in accord with the role of the individual in her or his parish religious education program:

  • Essential Catechist Training, appropriate for those teaching K through grade 6, may be taken in six two-hour segments in any order or, if requested by a parish willing to host these sessions, in one twelve-hour course:
    • Session 1 – “Getting Started as a Catechist-even if you’ve been one for years”
    • o Session 2 – “Planning For Success”
    • Session 3 – “To Teach as Jesus Did: Acquiring the Attitude of Christ”
    • Session 4 – “Praying All Ways”
    • Session 5 – “Methodology and Curriculum”
    • Session 6 – “An Evening of Reflection and Prayer”
  • Empowering Adults, appropriate for those teaching grades 7 through high school, may also be taken in six two-hour sessions in any order or, if requested by a parish willing to host these sessions, in one twelve-hour course.
  • Echoes of Faith Catechist Training, appropriate for those teaching K through 8th grade, is a video-based process that requires five 2½ hour sessions.
  • RCIA Catechist Training, see RCIA
  • Adult Education Training, see ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
  • Baptismal Team Training, designed to empower parish leaders to facilitate baptismal ministry programs and have a more active role in helping families wishing to have their children baptized.
  • RCIA – Children’s Adaptation, a half-day course for implementing a conversion process for children ages 8-14 who would like to grow into a closer relationship with God and the Catholic community.
    The Office of Religious Education will provide a Foundational Catechist Certificate to anyone who successfully completes the requirements of any one of the courses above, according to the individual’s role in the parish program.

Level 2: Advanced Certification

Four Required Sessions:

  • What Makes Us Catholic. The Trinity is a gift for life - so who is God? What was Jesus and the Holy Spirit? How are we guided?
  • Body of Christ: One Church. Who are we as the Mystical Body and visible Church? What does it mean to have active membership in the church?
  • Scripture: A Living Tradition. An overview of the Old and New Testaments with insights for interpreting Scripture within the Catholic Traditions.
  • Christ of Faith. Overview of the development of our Christ’s understanding of our Savior. From Jesus of Nazareth to our Christ of faith.

Electives (four required) chose from:
• Liturgy & Sacraments
• Old Testament
• The Gospels
• Principles of Catholic Morality
• Prayer & Spirituality
• Vatican II: Then and Now


Go to the CALENDAR OF EVENTS page for a listing of sessions or courses currently scheduled; or suggest to your catechetical leader or pastor that your parish might wish to host one of the courses listed above.


ENRICHMENT OF CATECHISTS:
The Office of Religious Education recognizes the time constraints that face our
generous parish volunteers. However, since catechesis is at the heart of the mission every parish, ORE encourages catechists who have obtained certification (see above) to participate in ongoing educational opportunities and spiritual experiences that will enhance one’s ministerial skills and interior life.

The Office of Religious Education, in collaboration with other departments, attempts to provide enrichment opportunities for all those serving in the ministry of catechetics, such as:

  • Religious Education Congress, offered in early November annually;
  • Periodic mornings or evenings of reflection in various areas of the diocese;
  • Workshops on pertinent catechetical issues or skills.


Go to the ORE CANENDAR OF EVENTS for currently scheduled opportunities or contact your parish catechetical leader or the Office of Religious Education at CONTACT US.
Updated Publisher’s Web Sites
Some of the publishing houses have merged or been purchased by larger companies. We, in the office, try to maintain a list for your convenience.

Some Publisher web sites for school age catechesis:

www.rclweb.com
www.RCLBenziger.com
www.FaithFirst.com
www.BlestAreWe.com
www.EchoesofFaith.com
www.ChristJesustheway.com
www.wholecommunitycatechesis.com
RCL, Binzeger and Silver Burdett
www.HarcourtReligion.com

Harcourt Publishing
www.CalltoFaithConnect.com
www.CalltoDiscipleship.com		 to reach eConnect
www.HarcourtReligion.com

Harcourt Publishing
www.CalltoFaithConnect.com
www.CalltoDiscipleship.com		 to reach eConnect
www.sadlier.com
Sadlier Publishing

www.cyberFaith.com
www.comingtoFaith.com

www.findinggod.org Loyola Press
www.smp.org St. Mary’s Press
www.usccbpublishing.org U.S. Bishops
www.rcpineet.com Resource Publications
www.twentythirdpublications.com Twentythird Publications
www.osv.com Our Sunday Visitor
www.centerforlearning.org Center for Learning


Resource:
HANDBOOK FOR PARISH CATECHESIS


Each of these sites offers many links to other helpful sites.

Other sites for personal growth and enrichment:

Prayer site of the Irish Jesuits www.sacredspace.ie

Creighton Univ. sponsored daily meditation site www.creighton.edu/collaborativeministry/daily.html
St. Anthony Messenger Press www.Americancatholic.org