Need assistance discerning a catechist calling

  • Thread starter Thread starter Victor2211
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
V

Victor2211

Guest
Dear friends,
My faith is on fire these past 4 years and I continue to dig deeper. I assisted in leading a parish bible study last month and will enter the MA in Theology program this September. I want to become a catechist in my parish because I am very much interested in Scripture and apologetics. I am most interested in working in a classroom setting where I can teach and lead discussions concerning the Catholic faith. I don’t know if I would be most suited for RE for elementary school children or if RCIA is my calling. I am hesitant to teach children because I enjoy discussing Scripture and don’t want to talk over their heads. However, I don’t know if the rites and other non-classroom componants of the RCIA program will take me into an arena I am not being called to. I will defintiely speak with the DRE and other catechists at my parish; however, I wanted to get (name removed by moderator)ut from yourselves concerning your experiences. Thank you so much!!
 
Praying to the Holy Spirit to give you guidance & direction in your discernment.
 
Will pray. Middle school kids and teens need you as well, you know.
Get your basic Catechist certification and get going! We need you!
Praying for your success.
God bless
 
In my opinion, RCIA is as much spiritual direction, apprenticeship, and accompaniment as it is catechesis. That may or may not be what you’re looking for.

Perhaps high school classes or adult education would be more suited to your interests. You might see about sitting in on some sessions to see if things click.
 
I “rose through the ranks” teaching CCD classes- starting with 3rd and 4th grade and eventually sticking with our middle school EDGE program the last two years. It’s been great with that age group. They’re smart enough that you don’t need to dumb down scripture and have a big desire to learn more. The EDGE program also tackles social issues that they may be dealing with in school, etc. and gives the kids more freedom in class to discuss what they want and we then tie it in to our faith and what scripture says. It’s much more than “read the textbook and answer the questions” like many CCD classes.
We run the EDGE program year-round and use the summer classes to get the kids back with their friends and into church. It’s been a huge success for our parish- where CCD was dwindling down for the most part.

Try doing both to see where you fit in best. Our parish does RCIA on weekday nights and CCD on Sundays (and some Wednesdays). Talk to your pastor and see what he recommends. Good luck and God bless!
 
I’ve had much better discussions with 6th-graders about the Bible than with adults. Regardless of my personal experience, it’s easy enough to be an assisitant in any age-group classes to see what may suit you. I was exclusively adult ed and RCIA for years and had no interest in teaching kids, but wow do I stay impressed with their brains, faith, and engagement.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top