Help CCD Instructor

  • Thread starter Thread starter hilde_the_dog
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
H

hilde_the_dog

Guest
After Mass today a former RCIA instructor was waiting for me - no problem he is a good guy. He wanted to know if I would teach CCD. I know the Church is short. But I have only been in the Church 2 1/2 years. Since I joined via RCIA I have never seen a CCD class. Is this like the theological discussion I enjoyed in my past life as a dutch calvinist called catechism. He sees me lector at Masses on the occassional Sunday and at weekday mass if I can make it. Also he said I could also start as an aide. Any thoughts. I might run across him at a Mass soon, like tommorrow. But it sounds interesting but scary.
 
hilde the dog:
After Mass today a former RCIA instructor was waiting for me - no problem he is a good guy. He wanted to know if I would teach CCD. I know the Church is short. But I have only been in the Church 2 1/2 years. Since I joined via RCIA I have never seen a CCD class. Is this like the theological discussion I enjoyed in my past life as a dutch calvinist called catechism. He sees me lector at Masses on the occassional Sunday and at weekday mass if I can make it. Also he said I could also start as an aide. Any thoughts. I might run across him at a Mass soon, like tommorrow. But it sounds interesting but scary.
Click to expand...
Depending on the parish you’ll hear it called by different names: CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine), Religious Education, Faith Formation, Catechism… Not only do the names vary, but the expressed purposes and methods can vary from parish to parish. You can pretty much assume that the points are to instruct/acquaint the “students” with the Catholic Faith, to prepare them for the reception of the sacraments, and to give them opportunities to put their faith into action. The emphasis given to any of those points is likely to reflect the personal beliefs of the bishop, pastor, and staff.

This is just my personal opinion, but if you decide to help out you probably want to start out as an aide. This will give you a chance to see how things are done in your parish. You will also get to see what it is that your parish thinks it is important for Catholics to learn. Never underestimate the importance of being an aide. In the case of children, they generally would prefer to be somewhere else so the teacher needs all the help he/she can get. And in light of all the abuse scandals, it is a good idea to always have more than one adult in a class.
 
I say go for it. God is Calling you to this. Plus you can always ask for help.
 
Ask for all material that has been used for this, and go over it to get an idea of the “line of thought.” Also, ask your priest and the RCIA director for help. Ask if there is a class for new leaders of this stuff. Anything that might help.
 
hilde the dog:
After Mass today a former RCIA instructor was waiting for me - no problem he is a good guy. He wanted to know if I would teach CCD. I know the Church is short. But I have only been in the Church 2 1/2 years. Since I joined via RCIA I have never seen a CCD class. Is this like the theological discussion I enjoyed in my past life as a dutch calvinist called catechism. He sees me lector at Masses on the occassional Sunday and at weekday mass if I can make it. Also he said I could also start as an aide. Any thoughts. I might run across him at a Mass soon, like tommorrow. But it sounds interesting but scary.
Click to expand...
YES, It is scarry. I had only been a Catholic for 2 years and I wanted to aid (CCD instructors and aids get a price break on children’s tution). The church did not need anymore aids and asked me to teach instead. I was asked to take the 5th grade. The following year I was asked to take the 6th grade. The next(and following) 2nd grade.

I quickly learned to go where God sends me. I love the 2nd grade (1st Communion year) but I will serve Him where ever I am sent.

PRAY HARD. The classes are well layed out and it sounds like you have a trusted friend at the church you can count on.
 
CCD is religious education for children who attend public school. It is usually once a week for about 1-11/2 hours. It requires great faith and dedication as well as many hours on your knees! There are materials to help you with the actual content, so don’t worry about that. The most important thing is to let the kids see your faith and your committment to the Church. Many of them are there so they can recieve the Sacraments or because their parents make them come so they can recieve the Sacraments. But you WILL find kids who are truly open to the Word. Many of them will not attend Mass regularly. Model for them how important it is for you to attend Mass. It isn’t so much what you say to them but who you are to them. They’ll spot a phony in a heartbeat. I taught CCD for many years so I have survived all this! 🙂
God will go with you on this journey, so hold onto your hat!

Peace,
Linda
 
Thanks all. I drop this bomb on my wife tonight :eek: She was scared for me when I began to lector but now she prints off my readings a month in advance I can practise in front of her. This former RCIA teacher was the person who introduced me to the Director of Lectors and vouched for me. I feel I 'm about to go on a wild ride. I was so shocked when he asked that all i heard was seven I assumed that meant 7th grade not seven year olds
 
hilde the dog:
Thanks all. I drop this bomb on my wife tonight :eek: She was scared for me when I began to lector but now she prints off my readings a month in advance I can practise in front of her. This former RCIA teacher was the person who introduced me to the Director of Lectors and vouched for me. I feel I 'm about to go on a wild ride. I was so shocked when he asked that all i heard was seven I assumed that meant 7th grade not seven year olds
Click to expand...
Maybe you could be the Instructor and your wife could Aid. It’s great having someone in the room you know and trust. My daughter will be my aid this year.
 
dhgray

It’s funny last week my wife decided she would like to try working for SVDP in the food pantry. I was stunned by - mirracles appearing like dandelions. Who knows it might happen that she becomes my aid, but don’t hold your breathe. But a prayer is always good
 
Thanks All i told her. She si not sure but says okay if that is what you think you must do. I will tell all how it goes under the heading of CCD Inst.
 
as a DRE I’m on my knees thanking God for you. Suggestions: would you and your wife be able to teach a class together? that way you always have coverage if one of you can’t make it. All our catechists team-teach for this reason. Also, all my new volunteers start out as aides paired with an experienced catechist the first year. I also offer formation classes each month, and the diocese also has classes available. There is a lot of support for you, you don’t have to know it all, you will have a catechist manual, syllabus and lot’s of resources.

a married couple is especially effective with teens (boy, talk about scary) so if you feel called in that direction, please consider it. If your RCIA process left you hungry to learn more about your faith, I guarantee serving as a catechist will be a real education (in more ways than one), seriously, it is a well-known fact that the way to learn is to teach, especially the basics.
 
I’ll take a convert teaching CCD over many cradle Catholics any day of the week and twice on Sunday. The reason is converts seem to have much more passion…no offense to the numerous cradle Catholics out there who do indeed live, sleep, and breathe their faith.
 
40.png
puzzleannie:
as a DRE I’m on my knees thanking God for you. Suggestions: would you and your wife be able to teach a class together? that way you always have coverage if one of you can’t make it. All our catechists team-teach for this reason. Also, all my new volunteers start out as aides paired with an experienced catechist the first year. I also offer formation classes each month, and the diocese also has classes available. There is a lot of support for you, you don’t have to know it all, you will have a catechist manual, syllabus and lot’s of resources.

a married couple is especially effective with teens (boy, talk about scary) so if you feel called in that direction, please consider it. If your RCIA process left you hungry to learn more about your faith, I guarantee serving as a catechist will be a real education (in more ways than one), seriously, it is a well-known fact that the way to learn is to teach, especially the basics.
Click to expand...
 
Puzzleannie I sent a reply but I don’t think it did. My wife is a great woman but fearful of standing in front of people. I have no fear of that, ie standing in front of people I love to lector and she prints off my readings as they are known. I HATE :mad: all the forms I must fill out. I HAVE never touched any one wrongly . Why… i regret those priests who messed life up for us all…
 
hilde the dog:
Puzzleannie I sent a reply but I don’t think it did. My wife is a great woman but fearful of standing in front of people. I have no fear of that, ie standing in front of people I love to lector and she prints off my readings as they are known. I HATE :mad: all the forms I must fill out. I HAVE never touched any one wrongly . Why… i regret those priests who messed life up for us all…
Click to expand...
We all have to go through that. Even those of us who have tought for years. It’s is a evil necessaty. As an aid, you lecture, your wife sits back and does the admin stuff.
 
Hey as read through my 70+ pages of stuff and have to get my finger prints taken… LORD have mercy on those who want to serve You Lord, it is harder than ever( Five minute interview five hours of paper work – YUK). :eek: Why would somebody want to wade through all this paper. ( I hope I don’t forget to sign or initial somewhere) (The priest who drafted this resides at my parish). Where have I worked and lived in my whole life. IT was easier applying to the CIA. (At least they gave me a polygraph and other tests), And I said yesterday stay tuned ain’t life fun. (Can you sing "On ward christian soldiars…)
 
I am a convert and teaching religious ed. for the first time this year, too. I will pray for you!

I am starting with 6th grade . . . ominous music.

The DRE and fellow catechists, not to mention our priests, are awesome, so I feel like I have good support.
 
Thomas More:
I am a convert and teaching religious ed. for the first time this year, too. I will pray for you!

I am starting with 6th grade . . . ominous music.

The DRE and fellow catechists, not to mention our priests, are awesome, so I feel like I have good support.
Click to expand...
Does it feel some days the newbies carry the weight. are we to stupid or to fresh and they just get to old?
 
Yes, we do get old. In every parish (and organization), there are always a faithful few who carry the burdens. I’m sure you have noticed that. It is good to have new and enthusiastic workers come into the vineyard to relieve us who have been there for many years. Welcome! 👍

Peace,
Linda
 
Thank you all Please continue to pray. As it turns out I will be (PROUD) an aide for the sixth grade. The teacher is non - other than our Director of Lectors who my old RCIA teaching introduced me to him six months ago. Now my Old RCIA has paved the way for me to aide somebody I like and convinced the Director of Ed. she had to let it be. (He had already scheduled me to be an aide before she talked to me) (Ain’t GOD fun.) (She said he ((RCIA)) guy was my reference). I stated in my app. to defend the Magasterium. Yeh Question one done. Do you have anything you disagree with as teachings? NO What do think of Abortion - Wrong but I wish the Church help more pregnant women and girls.

IM IN, I LOVE GOD’S TRUE CHURCH

PS I’m still scared.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top