CCD teacher

[THurifer2]

I am working on a certification myself as our diocese has said that this will be mandatory at some point. I wonder know if this is going to happen. I haven’t heard anything.

I have heard of this mandatory certifcation as well. If it were to happen in my diocese 99% of Catholic children would be have their faith formation done at home. It would be impossible to find enough teachers to do the job.

 

[mercygate]

What are the requirements to being a CCD teacher or a RCIA leader? Is it volunteer basis as long as you are a Catholic in good standing or do you have to possess a Theology degree?

Our CCD program accepts volunteers basically on the presumption that they are in good standing (and mostly they are; our teachers are wonderfully faithful).

In addition, the Archdiocese offers a certification program in three lightweight sessions on teaching, liturgy, and prayer. They have offered us the opportunity of enrolling at a deeply discounted rate four courses in Scripture and doctrine given on line by the University of Dayton.

 

[Joe_5859]

If the quote from the General Directory for Catechesis is too vague, here’s a quote from the US’s National Directory for Catechesis:

Only fully initiated, practicing Catholics who fully adhere to the Church’s teaching in faith and morals and who are models of Christian virtue and courageous witnesses to the Catholic faith should be designated as parish catechetical leaders.
-NDC 54, p.225

People who do not adhere to the Church’s teaching on marriage are not qualified to be catechetical leaders (regardless of their education).

Is it your responsibility to do something about it? That depends. If it is your parish, you could at least mention it to the pastor. Ultimately, it is not your decision, but those who are entrusted with the decision should know the facts. Be sure you’re not just passing along gossip, though!

 

[anamchara]

how could one reconcile the Directory citation below in with the above quoted question?
*
The General Directory for Catechsis (para. 156) states that the lifestyle of the catechist must not be an obstacle to the journey of faith of their students.*

Well, that is up to this women. If her teaching children true Catholic faith and her lifestyle isn’t getting in the way of this then what would be the problem? Perhaps she is able to not let it be an obstacle. Perhaps she struggles with her faith on this topic so she makes it a point to teach correctly. We really don’t know.

I have heard of this mandatory certifcation as well. If it were to happen in my diocese 99% of Catholic children would be have their faith formation done at home. It would be impossible to find enough teachers to do the job.

So far all the CCD teachers are very excited about taking the classes, many who don’t even teach take them. The classes enrich your faith and help keep you focused. I took them last year and wasn’t even teaching. The classes are taught by clergy, nuns, religious etc…they are wonderful. I went to one that lasted a few nights and was just on the creed. I learned a great deal.

 

[puzzleannie]

I can only repeat what I tell my catechists and would-be catechists.
These are the requirements of the diocese for catechists (same as for godparents or confirmation sponsors) and in addition, these are the requirements for certification.

If you have a question about your status, see me privately and we will make an appointment with the pastor to discuss your marital situation or whatever is involved. Once you meet with the pastor, he will tell me whether or not you can teach or whether you can be an aide or assist the program in other ways than being in full charge of a classroom.

When you see someone teaching whom you have reservations about, know that the pastor is overseeing the situation, some things take time to resolve, and he is the only one competent to judge. and in any case, we are bound in Christian charity to put the best, kindest possible construction on anything we observe regarding the actions of another.

 

[hilde_the_dog]

I have been teaching for three years and our only requirement is a fingerprint check and interview to see if you will teach the Cahtolic faith. If I had to take classes I could not teach nor could many others.

 

[Joannm]

What are the requirements to being a CCD teacher or a RCIA leader? Is it volunteer basis as long as you are a Catholic in good standing or do you have to possess a Theology degree?

In most parishes I have been to there are requirements “on paper” to be certified by taking a certain number of hours of theological courses, but in reality they are so much in need of volunteers that they will take anyone. In our diocese there are specific requirements for DREs, one of them being an MA in Theology or Religious Ed or working toward it. RCIA coordinators in our diocese are supposed to be certified but again the pastors may be in need so they don’t follow through.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

What are the requirements to being a CCD teacher or a RCIA leader? Is it volunteer basis as long as you are a Catholic in good standing or do you have to possess a Theology degree?

Just because people are volunteers does not mean that they are qualified. I believe that no catechesis being provided by the parish is better than poor or incorrect catechesis. WE all must remember that when we teach we teach by more than just our words.

Catechists do not require theology degrees, but they do have to have a good knowledge of the Catholic Faith and Catholic practice. They have to be involved in continious formation and study. Have an full prayer life. They should have a knowledge base of the Faith higher than those they are teaching. which means those teaching older children must know more than those teaching younger children. Those teaching adults even more deeper and broader knowledge base.

 

[Lovemyfaith]

This is from my Archdiocese web site:
Certification
A catechist is certified upon earning sixteen (16) credits (8 required, 8 elective) approved by the Office for Catechetical Formation (OCF). Required Credits (8) are earned through successful completion of each of the following core courses offered by the Catechetical Institute:
Overview of the Old Testament
Overview of the New Testament
The Person of Jesus
Foundations of the Church
Sacraments of Initiation
Sacraments of Healing and Vocation
Christian Anthropology
Catholic Moral Teaching

Elective Credits (8) are earned through the successful completion of the requirements associated with a variety of programs, seminars and workshops that are offered through the OCF. Upon review by the OCF, credits in theology that have been earned at a Catholic university or college can be applied toward the fulfillment of requirements for certification. Records of completed courses and earned credits should be verified and
kept on file in the local school/religious education office. Updated information is sent by the principal/DRE to the OCF in June.
Revised 2006
After 16 credits have been earned, college transcripts, copies of course cards, the completed application and principal’s/DRE’s verification form should be forwarded to the OCF. A formal certificate is awarded in recognition of the completion of all requirements.
Catholic School Teachers
All Catholic school teachers must complete the *Practical Applications *Course during their first year of teaching. This requirement fulfills one (1) elective credit. All Catholic school teachers must earn at least one (1) credit each year and complete certification within the first eight (8) years of teaching. Compliance with the certification policy is required in order to teach in a Catholic School within the Archdiocese.
Parish Catechists
Parish catechists must complete Basic Catechist Courses (I, II) within the first two (2) years of teaching. This requirement fulfills two (2) elective credits.
Professional Update
To maintain certification, Catechists must earn one (1) credit each year. Verification of this should be kept on file in the local school or parish office. Updated information is sent by the principal/DRE to the OCF in June.

I know people who teach CCD, and honestly, they do not have certification. Perhaps the DRE does, but they do not.
There was nothing on the site about maintaining a catholic lifestyle, perhaps that is understood, but I agree you teach with more than words.

 

[Brenda_V]

This is from my Archdiocese web site:
Certification
A catechist is certified upon earning sixteen (16) credits (8 required, 8 elective) approved by the Office for Catechetical Formation (OCF). Required Credits (8) are earned through successful completion of each of the following core courses offered by the Catechetical Institute:
Overview of the Old Testament
Overview of the New Testament
The Person of Jesus
Foundations of the Church
Sacraments of Initiation
Sacraments of Healing and Vocation
Christian Anthropology
Catholic Moral Teaching

Elective Credits (8) are earned through the successful completion of the requirements associated with a variety of programs, seminars and workshops that are offered through the OCF. Upon review by the OCF, credits in theology that have been earned at a Catholic university or college can be applied toward the fulfillment of requirements for certification. Records of completed courses and earned credits should be verified and
kept on file in the local school/religious education office. Updated information is sent by the principal/DRE to the OCF in June.
Revised 2006
After 16 credits have been earned, college transcripts, copies of course cards, the completed application and principal’s/DRE’s verification form should be forwarded to the OCF. A formal certificate is awarded in recognition of the completion of all requirements.
Catholic School Teachers
All Catholic school teachers must complete the *Practical Applications *Course during their first year of teaching. This requirement fulfills one (1) elective credit. All Catholic school teachers must earn at least one (1) credit each year and complete certification within the first eight (8) years of teaching. Compliance with the certification policy is required in order to teach in a Catholic School within the Archdiocese.
Parish Catechists
Parish catechists must complete Basic Catechist Courses (I, II) within the first two (2) years of teaching. This requirement fulfills two (2) elective credits.
Professional Update
To maintain certification, Catechists must earn one (1) credit each year. Verification of this should be kept on file in the local school or parish office. Updated information is sent by the principal/DRE to the OCF in June.

I know people who teach CCD, and honestly, they do not have certification. Perhaps the DRE does, but they do not.
There was nothing on the site about maintaining a catholic lifestyle, perhaps that is understood, but I agree you teach with more than words.

This actually looks like what we are required to do/have in my Diocese. I have only taken one of the classes and have been teaching off and on for 28 years! I am probably as educated though as the ones who have taken the classes as I spend a lot of time learning on my own. If I could afford it I would do that on-line course of study (don’t remember right now where it is) but we are still paying off our oldest’s tuition loans we had to make for her to attend Franciscan U. and are working on paying for the youngest’s education right now.

Brenda V.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I phrased the question poorly initially sorry to confuse with poor wording. FACT my worker told me that they both have been married before. Fact his wife was married in the Catholic Church. Fact she has not ever had an annullment of any type with any previous marriage.

I use the word FACT because my coworker KNOWS what an anulment it and KNOWS his wife has never had one.

I understand your concern, but it still remains between her pastor and herself, not a 3rd party person who’s not even part of that parish.

Jim