Doubting my role as Catechist

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Monkciate

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The more and more I work on organizing my thoughts and compiling my notes for my two separate talks to this year’s adult RCIA class, the more I doubt my ability to be an effective catechist. I can’t help but wonder if I have enough material to fill the time, I wonder if what I plan to say won’t be too intelligent though I don’t want it to be dumb and boring, and yet I’m afraid that I will be boring, inconsistent, or frustrating to listen to. This is my first time as an adult catechist, and I don’t want to say anything wrong because I want this group to be catechized rightly and in a manner they can understand and appreciate.
 
You sound just like me! Worry, worry, and it all goes well. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in your words. Always works for me.
Good luck.
 
The biggest mistake is to over prepare. The class would rather have 30 good minutes than 90 boring minutes.

The second biggest mistake is to not engage the audience. Every 10-15 minutes stop and talk to them . Ask “ Is this making any sense to you? “ “any question about this part?” etc.

Now for the mistakes well that is what happens. Let me tell you about last week’s RCIA class. First I thought I was the backup teacher for ½ the class. The second half subject was to be the Trinity. Well it turns out I had the whole class period so we started. I asked William to read the gospel ( he declined) so Sharon volunteered. I asked the class to listen for Eldad and Medad who would be in the wrong place and what would happen to them. The idea was to show an action of the Holy Spirit. But Eldad and Medad were in reading #1 not the Gospel. So I said I errored and we would get back to Eldad and Medad when we got back to the Trinity. Then we discussed how god and the Church played a key part in our life, which was prescheduled for the primary catechist. I told a couple of stories about key times in my life. Then asked the class to volunteer their stories. They talked for over 45 minutes and then wanted to know about Protestant religions which were in some of the personal stories. So we discussed Protestants and how the Catholic Church views it. Then they had some mixed marriage questions which we discussed. And we were out of time. I never taught the lesson, so I will do it another day. Now I had a 20 page teaching on the Trinity and a 2 page hand out, had I simply read the 20 pages it would have been a boring class. So we discussed their concerns and they enjoyed that much more. I would say this is typically of the better classes, when the candidate’s questions are discussed by explaining how the Church teaching fits their question. The worse classes are films or a single person reading or talking for 60+ minutes that bores everybody.

hope that helps
 
I think it may help if you look up common questions people entering into the Catholic faith have. And maybe focus some of your “extra” time on these topics even if they are off-topic. Maybe you could even pray the rosary as well. Or read from the bible. You could put some ideas on here, and we could help you out!!
I am going to school as a teacher, so I understand not being able to know if you have enough time. In my Kindergarten CCD class, I seem to ALWAYS run out of time!! lol.

You could even ask them to begin a journal or what does being Catholic mean to me? And every week they can write something new, this may help them if they ever need to look back for future reference!
 
Monkciate said:
The more and more I work on organizing my thoughts and compiling my notes for my two separate talks to this year’s adult RCIA class, the more I doubt my ability to be an effective catechist. I can’t help but wonder if I have enough material to fill the time, I wonder if what I plan to say won’t be too intelligent though I don’t want it to be dumb and boring, and yet I’m afraid that I will be boring, inconsistent, or frustrating to listen to. This is my first time as an adult catechist, and I don’t want to say anything wrong because I want this group to be catechized rightly and in a manner they can understand and appreciate.
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Study, be prepared, and pray hard. You’ll be fine.
 
Thanks for everyone’s (name removed by moderator)ut so far.

What makes this worse is that our catechesis director has made the RCIA team so expansive, assigning only a couple topics per person (thus not necessitating our being present at every session), that I don’t know any of the people currently in the RCIA process. This can be attributed as my fault, but since I’m not required to be there, and since I only have to teach two topics between August 12 (when we began) and Lent, I have never felt the need until now. (Note: I’ve only been to one session since we began.) So, I have the additional disadvantage of being a new, unfamiliar face.

Just a few additional comments:
Texas_Roofer said:
The biggest mistake is to over prepare. The class would rather have 30 good minutes than 90 boring minutes.
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I’m not sure, but I think I have 2 hours to fill. The one session I attended thus far began with an icebreaker game (?), but then the presenter spoke for the rest of the time.

I’m presenting Saints next Thursday. I have *nothing *but a presentation (see below) for these people with little to no opportunity for discussion. I can’t ask them to research their favorite saints sinceI have a Knights of Columbus meeting the Wednesday night before don’t have any copies of Butler’s to lend.
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kage_ar:
Why not bounce your notes off the group here?
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Okay…this is what I have for my upcoming talk on Saints –

I.) Opening Prayer = “Canticle of the Sun/Creatures” (St. Francis)
*religious song composed in late 1224 after received stigmata
*composed while staying in small cottage at San Damiano (church) – had eye disease/ill health/mice
*he died Oct 3, 1226 singing PSalm 141

II.) What happens to the soul at death?
PARTICULAR JUDGMENT – READ Mt. 25:31-46
*Hell → the doctrine of Hell is so frightening that numerous sects end up denying its reality – no longer serious threat (e.g., Unitarian Universalists, Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah Witnesses)
WHY? How can just and loving God send us to eternal Hell?
Hell is very much real and eternal → Rev. 14:11; Mk 9:47-48, CCC 1035
Reference Mt. 25:31-46 (again) – our actions decide for us, not God – CCC 1033, 1037

*Purgatory → What is purgatory? GOD’S MERCY, JUSTICE AT WORK
  • It is state of those who die in God’s friendship, assured of their eternal salvation, but who still have need of purification – FINAL PURIFICATION
  • Why is purification necessary? SEE 1 COR 3:12-15 – we are God’s building, our works are the materials
  • there can still be many impurities in us (unconfessed) (examples: impatience, gossip, judgmental)
  • READ 2 Macc. 12:43-45 – Orth Jews recite the Mourner’s Kaddish for eleven months after the death of a loved one
    -SOULS IN PURGATORY CAN ONLY GO TO HEAVEN
*Heaven → CCC1023-1025; 1029
(St. Francis’s soul was seen ascending like a luminous orb into Heaven)

III.) Who are the saints?
  • the saints are the blessed who reign w/Christ in Heaven
    -people just like you and me (husbands, wives, children, nuns, priests)
    -etymology: sanctus Latin “holy” - associated with the divine
    – What is holiness? imitation of Christ, or following Christ?
  • a saint is a sinner who kept on trying
  • saints are people who lived the Gospel – following Christ in poverty, chastity, obedience, and generosity – martyrs, monks, young, old
  • Read the Lives of the Saints is indispensable - shows real people living the Gospel – saints also struggled here on earth (difficult husbands, nagging wives, some struggled w/addiction, Batholomew Longo was former Satanist)
IV) Canonization Process

V) Communion of the Saints
  • why pray to the saints?
  • saint worship?
VI) How can you become a saint?
  • following Christ, performing acts of selfless charity
  • good deed beads - St. Therese - the Little Way
  • the saints are the models of Christian virtue
 
Monkciate said:
Thanks for everyone’s (name removed by moderator)ut so far.

What makes this worse is that our catechesis director has made the RCIA team so expansive, assigning only a couple topics per person (thus not necessitating our being present at every session), that I don’t know any of the people currently in the RCIA process. This can be attributed as my fault, but since I’m not required to be there, and since I only have to teach two topics between August 12 (when we began) and Lent, I have never felt the need until now. (Note: I’ve only been to one session since we began.) So, I have the additional disadvantage of being a new, unfamiliar face.

Just a few additional comments:

I’m not sure, but I think I have 2 hours to fill. The one session I attended thus far began with an icebreaker game (?), but then the presenter spoke for the rest of the time.

I’m presenting Saints next Thursday. I have *nothing *but a presentation (see below) for these people with little to no opportunity for discussion. I can’t ask them to research their favorite saints sinceI have a Knights of Columbus meeting the Wednesday night before don’t have any copies of Butler’s to lend.

Okay…this is what I have for my upcoming talk on Saints –

I.) Opening Prayer = “Canticle of the Sun/Creatures” (St. Francis)
*religious song composed in late 1224 after received stigmata
*composed while staying in small cottage at San Damiano (church) – had eye disease/ill health/mice
*he died Oct 3, 1226 singing PSalm 141

II.) What happens to the soul at death?
PARTICULAR JUDGMENT – READ Mt. 25:31-46
*Hell → the doctrine of Hell is so frightening that numerous sects end up denying its reality – no longer serious threat (e.g., Unitarian Universalists, Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah Witnesses)
WHY? How can just and loving God send us to eternal Hell?
Hell is very much real and eternal → Rev. 14:11; Mk 9:47-48, CCC 1035
Reference Mt. 25:31-46 (again) – our actions decide for us, not God – CCC 1033, 1037

*Purgatory → What is purgatory? GOD’S MERCY, JUSTICE AT WORK
  • It is state of those who die in God’s friendship, assured of their eternal salvation, but who still have need of purification – FINAL PURIFICATION
  • Why is purification necessary? SEE 1 COR 3:12-15 – we are God’s building, our works are the materials
  • there can still be many impurities in us (unconfessed) (examples: impatience, gossip, judgmental)
  • READ 2 Macc. 12:43-45 – Orth Jews recite the Mourner’s Kaddish for eleven months after the death of a loved one
    -SOULS IN PURGATORY CAN ONLY GO TO HEAVEN
*Heaven → CCC1023-1025; 1029
(St. Francis’s soul was seen ascending like a luminous orb into Heaven)

III.) Who are the saints?
  • the saints are the blessed who reign w/Christ in Heaven
    -people just like you and me (husbands, wives, children, nuns, priests)
    -etymology: sanctus Latin “holy” - associated with the divine
    – What is holiness? imitation of Christ, or following Christ?
  • a saint is a sinner who kept on trying
  • saints are people who lived the Gospel – following Christ in poverty, chastity, obedience, and generosity – martyrs, monks, young, old
  • Read the Lives of the Saints is indispensable - shows real people living the Gospel – saints also struggled here on earth (difficult husbands, nagging wives, some struggled w/addiction, Batholomew Longo was former Satanist)
IV) Canonization Process

V) Communion of the Saints
  • why pray to the saints?
  • saint worship?
VI) How can you become a saint?
  • following Christ, performing acts of selfless charity
  • good deed beads - St. Therese - the Little Way
  • the saints are the models of Christian virtue
Click to expand...
I taught a class on final judgment in RCIA and included these subtitles: Heaven: Gods Love, Purgatory: Gods Mercy, Hell: Gods Justice.

Here’re a few general thoughts, FWIW:

On heaven I’d stress that God’s desire from the beginning is mans beatitude- complete and perfect happiness. He strives for us to know what He already knows- and what man rebelled against-the true Source of our happiness. Quote 1Cor2:9, referenced in CCC1027, which speaks of a joy we cannot fathom on earth. Beatitude and happiness are good terms to search in the CCC index.

Purgatory. Where final “molding” is accomplished, where we’ll finally be convinced -if this life didn’t convince us-of the evil and misery that follows in not trusting, obeying, and loving God, and the goodness and happiness to be found in knowing and loving Him with our whole heart, souls, mind, and strength and our neighbor as ourselves. There we’ll be freed from attachment to sin-anything less than God first and foremost. He wants us to choose Love; this is the perfection and holiness of man.

Hell. Referenced in CCC313, Julian of Norwich was “shown” that, in the end, “all manner of things shall be well”. For us this means in general terms that, while there’s much we don’t yet understand, no one will have any questions about God’s judgments because it will be plain for all to see that His righteousness exceeds ours and His wisdom is perfect. God can only be trusted to do right and we’ll be 100% satisfied that love is His standard.

Saints. Include some of the mystics, like St Teresa of Avila who was so practical and yet contributed so much to our understanding of the spiritual life and the sheer, ineffable joy of being in Gods presence.
 
Well for whatever it helps I would flip the lesson and break it into pieces with breaks between sections

I.) Opening Prayer = “Canticle of the Sun/Creatures” (St. Francis)
*religious song composed in late 1224 after received stigmata
*composed while staying in small cottage at San Damiano (church) – had eye disease/ill health/mice
*he died Oct 3, 1226 singing PSalm 141

III.) Who are the saints?
  • the saints are the blessed who reign w/Christ in Heaven
    -people just like you and me (husbands, wives, children, nuns, priests)
    -etymology: sanctus Latin “holy” - associated with the divine
    – What is holiness? imitation of Christ, or following Christ?
  • a saint is a sinner who kept on trying
  • saints are people who lived the Gospel – following Christ in poverty, chastity, obedience, and generosity – martyrs, monks, young, old
  • Read the Lives of the Saints is indispensable - shows real people living the Gospel – saints also struggled here on earth (difficult husbands, nagging wives, some struggled w/addiction, Batholomew Longo was former Satanist)
    ( break 1)
    IV) Canonization Process
V) Communion of the Saints
  • why pray to the saints?
  • saint worship?
VI) How can you become a saint?
  • following Christ, performing acts of selfless charity
  • good deed beads - St. Therese - the Little Way
  • the saints are the models of Christian virtue
( break 2 Hour two)
II.) What happens to the soul at death?
PARTICULAR JUDGMENT – READ Mt. 25:31-46
*Hell → the doctrine of Hell is so frightening that numerous sects end up denying its reality – no longer serious threat (e.g., Unitarian Universalists, Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah Witnesses)
WHY? How can just and loving God send us to eternal Hell?
Hell is very much real and eternal → Rev. 14:11; Mk 9:47-48, CCC 1035
Reference Mt. 25:31-46 (again) – our actions decide for us, not God – CCC 1033, 1037

( break 3 )
VII) (if time permits) *Purgatory → What is purgatory? GOD’S MERCY, JUSTICE AT WORK
  • It is state of those who die in God’s friendship, assured of their eternal salvation, but who still have need of purification – FINAL PURIFICATION
  • Why is purification necessary? SEE 1 COR 3:12-15 – we are God’s building, our works are the materials
  • there can still be many impurities in us (unconfessed) (examples: impatience, gossip, judgmental)
  • READ 2 Macc. 12:43-45 – Orth Jews recite the Mourner’s Kaddish for eleven months after the death of a loved one
    -SOULS IN PURGATORY CAN ONLY GO TO HEAVEN
 
Monkciate said:
The more and more I work on organizing my thoughts and compiling my notes for my two separate talks to this year’s adult RCIA class, the more I doubt my ability to be an effective catechist. I .
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let’s face it, on our own, none of us have the ability to be an effective catechist, no matter how many courses we have taken, our credentials, our experience, or our willingness to serve. Christ alone is the teacher, and the Holy Spirit alone is the one who directs conversions. Consign everything to them during your lesson planning, during your immediate preparation for class, and at the beginning and end of each class. Evaluate each class–in the evening or the next day, not immediately after, but do evaluate. that is how we learn to do better. When you are relying on your own knowledge and ability is when you fail, the more you rely on the Holy Spirit the better teacher you become, and the more your preparation bears fruit.

God bless you for answering the call for this vital ministry.
 
Texas_Roofer said:
The biggest mistake is to over prepare. The class would rather have 30 good minutes than 90 boring minutes.

The worse classes are films or a single person reading or talking for 60+ minutes that bores everybody.
Click to expand...
I agree. I use lecture that is broken up with sessions of group work, where the group(s) answer a question(s) that generate interest in the next topic to be addressed. First they share their answers with each other in the group and then later with the whole class. It helps with introducing and exploring topics. I also pause and entertain questions throughout the lecture portions.

For example, when teaching on Salvation I might start off by having them answer questions like: “What does it mean that ‘Jesus Saves’?” or “What does (does not) Jesus save us from?” etc. And then begin the lecture on Salvation, pausing between sections to ask them more questions, rinse and repeat as time allows.

It’s best to have a balance between the presentation of doctrine and the exploration/application of the material.

The worst classes are focused too much on “sharing” and not enough on content.

Peace,

A
 
Monkciate said:
I’m presenting Saints next Thursday. I have *nothing *but a presentation (see below) for these people with little to no opportunity for discussion. I can’t ask them to research their favorite saints sinceI have a Knights of Columbus meeting the Wednesday night before don’t have any copies of Butler’s to lend.

Okay…this is what I have for my upcoming talk on Saints –

I.) Opening Prayer = “Canticle of the Sun/Creatures” (St. Francis)
*religious song composed in late 1224 after received stigmata
*composed while staying in small cottage at San Damiano (church) – had eye disease/ill health/mice
*he died Oct 3, 1226 singing PSalm 141

II.) What happens to the soul at death?
PARTICULAR JUDGMENT – READ Mt. 25:31-46
*Hell → the doctrine of Hell is so frightening that numerous sects end up denying its reality – no longer serious threat (e.g., Unitarian Universalists, Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah Witnesses)
WHY? How can just and loving God send us to eternal Hell?
Hell is very much real and eternal → Rev. 14:11; Mk 9:47-48, CCC 1035
Reference Mt. 25:31-46 (again) – our actions decide for us, not God – CCC 1033, 1037

*Purgatory → What is purgatory? GOD’S MERCY, JUSTICE AT WORK
  • It is state of those who die in God’s friendship, assured of their eternal salvation, but who still have need of purification – FINAL PURIFICATION
  • Why is purification necessary? SEE 1 COR 3:12-15 – we are God’s building, our works are the materials
  • there can still be many impurities in us (unconfessed) (examples: impatience, gossip, judgmental)
  • READ 2 Macc. 12:43-45 – Orth Jews recite the Mourner’s Kaddish for eleven months after the death of a loved one
    -SOULS IN PURGATORY CAN ONLY GO TO HEAVEN
*Heaven → CCC1023-1025; 1029
(St. Francis’s soul was seen ascending like a luminous orb into Heaven)

III.) Who are the saints?
  • the saints are the blessed who reign w/Christ in Heaven
    -people just like you and me (husbands, wives, children, nuns, priests)
    -etymology: sanctus Latin “holy” - associated with the divine
    – What is holiness? imitation of Christ, or following Christ?
  • a saint is a sinner who kept on trying
  • saints are people who lived the Gospel – following Christ in poverty, chastity, obedience, and generosity – martyrs, monks, young, old
  • Read the Lives of the Saints is indispensable - shows real people living the Gospel – saints also struggled here on earth (difficult husbands, nagging wives, some struggled w/addiction, Batholomew Longo was former Satanist)
IV) Canonization Process

V) Communion of the Saints
  • why pray to the saints?
  • saint worship?
VI) How can you become a saint?
  • following Christ, performing acts of selfless charity
  • good deed beads - St. Therese - the Little Way
  • the saints are the models of Christian virtue
Click to expand...
First of all, thanks for your service to the church. I am a team member for our parish RCIA program. I do not present. Our program has volunteers doing housekeeping things like make sure there is coffee, nametags, notecards, enough copies of handouts, later on we get baptism records as necessary, get the white/purple robes ready for Easter Vigil. Stuff like that. Only the Deacon’s wife, the Deacon and the Priest teach. Team members try to generate discussion.

It sounds like your presentation is very ambitious. You might be trying to squeeze too much into the time you have. It is very important that you give the catechumens time to ask questions and discuss their thoughts. I will pray for you and the Holy Spirit will guide you.
 
larsenl1 said:
It sounds like your presentation is very ambitious. You might be trying to squeeze too much into the time you have. It is very important that you give the catechumens time to ask questions and discuss their thoughts. I will pray for you and the Holy Spirit will guide you.
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I would agree that you have a TON of material here - you don’t need to worry about running out! But if you’re prepared to answer questions in any of those topic areas, I think you’re in good shape.

Is your primary assignment to cover Last Things or Saints? Because while the two are clearly related, either one could be the whole class . . .
 
=Monkciate;5758465]The more and more I work on organizing my thoughts and compiling my notes for my two separate talks to this year’s adult RCIA class, the more I doubt my ability to be an effective catechist. I can’t help but wonder if I have enough material to fill the time, I wonder if what I plan to say won’t be too intelligent though I don’t want it to be dumb and boring, and yet I’m afraid that I will be boring, inconsistent, or frustrating to listen to. This is my first time as an adult catechist, and I don’t want to say anything wrong because I want this group to be catechized rightly and in a manner they can understand and appreciate.
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Friend, I’ll share with you my two proven secrets for my sucess over the past fifteen years.

One. I rely, trust, seek and BELIEVE that I will receive help from the holy Spirit. I can’t tell you how many times I went into class planing and prepared to discuss X and ended up discussing Y.

I attend Mass and receive Holy Communion on every teaching day, and ask for direct assistance and guidence for me and also for those taking the class.

Two. Over prepare. Always have a fall back topic or two you can discuss. Encourage questions and interruptions [if you can handle this kind of thing?]. Answer any and all questions EVEN OFF OFF TOPIC so long as it relates to Catholic teaching.

Attend a class or two as a spectator to get a feel for expetations and what others are doing. Sit in the rear so as not to be a distraction and be silent. Be sure to let the teacher know you would like to attend and observe [seek permission:)]

Don’t preach, TEACH! Give evidence of everything you share. The Bible say’s this. the Catechism says that, ect.

Remember to NOT go into extensive detail. They are to new to comprehend it. Give a brief explaination of your point, pause and ask for questions. The go on to the next one. Ask if anyone has experienced what ever it is your speaking about.

Consider opening by asking an open ended question. 'What are you’re thoughts and opinions of the Churches [position /teaching] on [name you’re topic]. This incourgages open debate right from the get-go:thumbsup:

PP…and OP…

Pray, pray, and Over prepare!

You’ll do just fine. Just rely on the Holy Spirits assistance!

Love and prayers,

Pat
 
In my experience as a catechist I would suggest that you just be yourself. People love interaction and a sense of humor never hurt a lesson. Teach with as many questions as statements. If you have two hours to fill make sure that you include breaks as one poster suggested and break up the lesson. Have them use their bibles if it applies and you can always break them up into groups and share their experiences with the topic at hand.

I am a very animated teacher but that does not necessarily work for everyone. Just relax and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you. God qualifies the called He doesn’t call the qualified. Remember that and have a great class. Never doubt your role as a catechist. Our Lord knows that we need you…teachccd 🙂
 
Monkciate said:
The more and more I work on organizing my thoughts and compiling my notes for my two separate talks to this year’s adult RCIA class, the more I doubt my ability to be an effective catechist. I can’t help but wonder if I have enough material to fill the time, I wonder if what I plan to say won’t be too intelligent though I don’t want it to be dumb and boring, and yet I’m afraid that I will be boring, inconsistent, or frustrating to listen to. This is my first time as an adult catechist, and I don’t want to say anything wrong because I want this group to be catechized rightly and in a manner they can understand and appreciate.
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Me, too! I am teaching RCIA for the first time, but I always try to remember…that the Apostles didn’t always get it right…The Early Church Fathers didn’t always get it right…and we probably won’t either. Catechesis is an awesome responsibility, but remember that someone saw something in you that prompted them to ask you to teach, right? The most important skill that a Catechist can have is prayer. Pray, Pray, Pray.

Also, remember that God works with and through our weaknesses…why not start the RCIA class with a prayer asking God to put the right words in your mouth? I think it will be a great icebreaker. It makes you more human.

CC
 
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