"I don't need your catechism"

[puzzleannie]

This article on how to conduct catechist formation, with a suggested couse outline, on Catholic Exchange this morning
catholicexchange.com/2010/07/22/132519/
deserves to be bookmarked for anyone whose responsibility includings catechist formation.

The diocesan program here is Echoes of Fatih, which, frankly our pastor has rejected, so I modelled our basic faith formation series on the course of that name from our new lay ministry institute. It is based on the compendium but in the process catechists learn how to use the CCC–a skill sadly lacking in most Catholic adults. We cover most of what this author suggests, and there are follow-up classes of course.

I have had catechists from other parish ask to take this class because they have heard about it from others. I know have a team to help teach it, and it is offered 7 times a year at various days and times, (English and Spanish) each session is 12 weeks, total 24 hours.

I do plan to upgrade based on the recommendations of this article.

your thoughts on catechist formation?

what in your experience are the 3 areas of deepest ignorance among catechists?

 

[Imryl]

My thoughts on Catechists.

My first impression upon reading this article was a hint of jealousy. It would be nice to have a DRE who took the time to sit and sort through these types of problems and questions.

As someone who has sat through RCIA twice - once last year and once the previous year - I found that none of the points in this article have been addressed in the classes I have attended. My opinion on the topic of religious educators and catechists is this: That the religious educators are in a situation that they are unaware they are ignorant and, as the author of the article pointed out, they think they know everything. I have, on several occasions, went home after being told something that I knew was blatantly contrary to Catholic teaching or traditional Catholic thought and retrieved documents, publications and other things to submit for the catechist for review.

The responses have been less then satisfying. Even with supporting documentation I’m usually told that I’m wrong, or that it doesn’t matter. So I’ve resolved to just speak out about it when these things happen. Personally I’m not interested in hearing them try to sell their opinions as official Catholic teaching.

The problems I have encountered are not small nuanced things in which Catholics are free to hold differing opinions. These are serious matters that the Church speaks quite clearly on. If I had been ignorant of these things walking into these “classes” I would probably be Catholic right now, but I would be a very confused Catholic.

I sometimes leave these things with the impression that using construction paper, scissors, crayons and glue would be a better use of my time.

So, off to try RCIA for a 3rd time… at yet another Church.

 

[GwenL]

Great questions, Annie. I’m going to be a catechist this year, teaching two classes of teenagers (one first Holy Communion, another Confirmation).

My RCIA was dismal, poorly organized, shallow, and many things were taught that were contrary to Church teachings. I made up for that with reading (I’ve read the CCC twice and have built a pretty good library), Catholic Answers and EWTN on podcasts, and formation/spiritual direction with Opus Dei. I’m feeling competent to teach teens the faith.

Our catechist formation program is also “Echoes,” which I have yet to see. If you have anything that you’re using that you are willing to share electronically, I’d love to see it.

I liked the outline at the link you provided. It actually matches (to about 90%) the things I’d jotted down that my teens will need to know before confirmation.

Do you recommend any other internet resources, perhaps with lesson plans? Looks like I’ll have to develop my own and it’d be nice to not reinvent the wheel.

I’m thinking that it’s pretty tough to find the type of catechist you really want–someone fired up about the faith, who takes the time to read and educate themselves, and who knows something about teaching. I do think that a most important thing to teach catechists is that they should never be offering opinions about Church teaching. Offer opinions and advice about prayer life and how to prepare for confession, and how to focus at the Mass, and the like, but not about doctrine. Also catechists should always answer “I don’t know but I’ll find the answer for you” rather than speculating and guessing, especially about a matter of doctrine. Finally, if a catechist can’t look you in eye and say that they agree with all (that’d be 100%) of the Church’s teachings on morals and faith, and can enthusiastically teach these, they shouldn’t be a catechist. IMHO.

 

[Corki]

Let me start with the three areas of deepest ignorance (in no particular order).

1. Using the Bible to support Church teaching. I found a gem in the Catholic Answer Bible which addresses common topics. Not only do most Catechists not know how to do this, none of the texts we have used or reviewed do this well. In the Bible Belt, this is essential.
2. Liturgy. Most catechists have a working knowledge of the Church calendar and the parts of the Mass but get tongue tied when questions come up about why we do the things we do during Mass.
3. Moral issues. Most catechists are very nervous discussion the issues of the day - abortion, homosexuality, sex before marriage, remarriage after divorce, etc. They are afraid to offend but also they are not confident they can clearly explain the “why” of the Church’s teaching.

and if I can add a fourth - almost no one knows where to look up other Church documents (encyclicals, VII docs, etc.) or how to use them.

Our diocese has a very thorough Catechist Formation program - too thorough. It is almost 150 hours. It takes at least a year and a half unless you go full days during the summer intensive. I have been through it and learned a ton! But it is daunting and intimidates many teachers. If you miss a class, you likely have to drive a very long way to make it up. The classes are mostly at night when most CCE teachers are trying to be with their families. The result is that most CCE teachers don’t even attempt it and those that do have a “swiss cheese” program with lots of gaps and holes.

Thanks for the link. I have bookmarked it and will forward it to our new DRE.