Religious Ed?

[EeyoresButerfly]

I hope this is the right forum for this. I have been encouraged multiple times to teach or assist in teaching religious ed classes. I am moving to a new area and am considering the optoin as one way to be involved in my new church. I’m not sure about it though. I’m a convert, I didn’t grow up with the church so I have no clue what these kids are going through. My friend who is encouraging me says that this will be a bonus because people coming out of RCIA tend to be more familiar with the teachings. But it seems like a real handicap to me. I feel like I could be an effective teacher and that they would learn a lot, I think I would also learn a lot about the church from that experience, but I still feel like I don’t know enough and may never know enough about the church to do this. There are so many things that are still foreign to me because they are things that cradle Catholics are used to and never feel the need to explain. I feel like I am always doing something wrong because I’m not familiar with all of the little nuances of the faith and I feel like this will make me a bad teacher. Is it possible for a convert to be a good religious ed teacher?

 

[KathyA]

ABSOLUTELY! Do it!

I converted waayyyy back in 1984, when I was just 20. I knew nothing, absolutely nothing. I converted because I really felt that the Catholic Church was where God was calling me…it was a leap of faith. My formation in RCIA was really awful, but I was in and loved being part of Christ’s church. Soon I was married and had a couple of small children. It occurred to me that I didn’t know as much as I wanted to know, yet our small parish didn’t offer much for adult education. There was, however, a perpetual notice in the bulletin requesting religious ed teachers. I figured, what the heck…I can probably understand things on a 4th grade level well enough to teach 4th graders. I taught that age group for a couple of years and then moved to Jr. High for a few years. I’ve been working with high school students for the past 10 years and I love it. Teaching religious ed and especially working with the high school students has brought me further in the faith than I ever expected I could come. Sure there have been some difficult moments, but I have lots of stories about kids who have actually told me that I made a difference. I usually give a lamenated holy card to graduating seniors. One day, a young man who had offered a fair amount of challenges to me, came up to me and apologized for his behavior a few years earlier. Then he pulled out his wallet (which was filled with dirt and grime ) and took out the holy card I had given him. That was like the ultimate compliment. I’ve also had students say that they would like to get into youth ministry and in general say that my dedication to the program has helped them grow closer to God. Parents have thanked me by saying how blessed they feel that we have an orthodox Catholic working with our teens. I don’t mean to sound like I’m bragging here…none of what I’ve been able to do would have been possible without total reliance on Christ. You just have to keep in mind that Christ can’t work through people who aren’t willing to put themselves out there.

I wish I had a dime for every person who has told me “Converts make the best Catholics”. It doesn’t happen automatically though. This might be just the opportunity to get you started. Good luck! Feel free to pm me if you have other more specific questions that I could help with.

Kathy

 

[Bruised_Reed]

If you don’t feel prepared you vary well may not be at this time. But whether or not you should teach or assist depends on the age you would be teaching and if you were the main teacher or if you were assisting the class.

Assisting can be a great opportunity to learn. I learned so much being a table leader for confirmation and other high school RE but I question whether or not I should have done so at the time. I was young and poorly catechized but there I was. I did my best but I had no clue. And I had no clue that I had no clue.

I value the fresh eye converts and reverts bring. I get a thrill seeing church teaching again through their eyes. So your friend is right that you can bring something to the table but it still depends on what kind of support you will have, what kind of materials, and if you will have training (there is catechist training). But if you can assist in a class or maybe have little kids it’s doable. Been there. I personally would stay away from 6th -10th grade at this time; they tend to ask questions that would stump Aquinas and Plato.

And never be afraid to say “I don’t know”. Find out and get back to them. This can be a wonderful witness.

 

[monicatholic]

I am a director of a religious education program in a parish.

what do i look for in a catechist:
someone who is in LOVE with Jesus
someone who is in obedience of the church
someone who likes kids
someone who is willing to attend the workshop on protecting God’s children/
someone who is willing to attend a couple (every year)of the diocese topics toward catechist certification
someone who is willing to consider catechesis as a ministry-- a way to grow coser to Jesus and to serve His people.

someone who is willing to check everything against the catechism of the catholic church for clarity, accuracy, proper terminology

someone who is willing to become familiar with the nat’l directory of catechesis.

someone who understand s/he is not simply steering his little ship of students, but who is teaching for the ngreater good of the community.

pray about it. perhaps you can team teach with a more experienced individual.

 

[Poor_Clare_tobe]

I hope this is the right forum for this. I have been encouraged multiple times to teach or assist in teaching religious ed classes. I am moving to a new area and am considering the optoin as one way to be involved in my new church. I’m not sure about it though. I’m a convert, I didn’t grow up with the church so I have no clue what these kids are going through. My friend who is encouraging me says that this will be a bonus because people coming out of RCIA tend to be more familiar with the teachings. But it seems like a real handicap to me. I feel like I could be an effective teacher and that they would learn a lot, I think I would also learn a lot about the church from that experience, but I still feel like I don’t know enough and may never know enough about the church to do this. There are so many things that are still foreign to me because they are things that cradle Catholics are used to and never feel the need to explain. I feel like I am always doing something wrong because I’m not familiar with all of the little nuances of the faith and I feel like this will make me a bad teacher. Is it possible for a convert to be a good religious ed teacher?

The short answer is yes.

The longer answer is you might wish to have some training… but my advice is jump in … the water is fine …
I am a convert (34 years now) I began teaching ccd before the advent of many diocesan programs to train catechetical teachers. ( And ran our ccd program for almost 5 years before entering the convent)

In speaking to many of our RCIA teachers these last few years, they enjoy having “new Catholics” help out and eventually teach.

There are many different training programs available depending on your diocese or program. You might wish to look into them… they help round out what you may have learned in classes and also offer practical help in lesson planning…

I would by all means encourage you to get involved. At the very least in your first few years you could be an aide of sorts.

Do not let your concerns of “not knowing enough” dissuade you… Many times converts know more than some] cradle Catholics … I think this comes from not only studying the catechism but also from many times having to reconcile the catholic doctrine to there former doctrine. The same for devotions.

I wish you luck on your move, and your ministry… and welcome to the forums and to the church!

Blessings of Peace and All Good!
*

 

[EeyoresButerfly]

My other concern is that being raised a Cradle Catholic, I sometimes think that I see the Church and Mass through a different set of lenses so to speak. I know that my private relationsihp with God is very different. One thing that we focused heavily on as Baptists was knowing the Bible inside and out. I even participated in a competition called Bible Drills. I think I have a very different view on the Bible and on private spiritual life than many Catholics. I worry that this will be a hindrance to me. Of course I would look for training and back things up with the Catechism, but it is such a different perspective on the Church than it seems many of my friends have.

 

[monicatholic]

as DRE and as a confirmation teacher for 11 years, i can’t see that your focus (as you described it) on Scripture is out of line with authentic catechesis.

i always use Scripture, lots of it. My workshops always include Scripture circles where we will read an upward of a dozen harmonizing scripture on a given theme. so long as i’m not teaching the error of solo (or sola) scriptura, there’s no detriment, and much good to be gleaned from reading and reflecting on scripture.

 

[tuviskazinai]

I agree with everything that’s been said. I would also say that if multiple people have imagined you would be good at this, there must be something to what they’re saying. And it would, as you say, be a fantastic way to get involved in the community…since moving someplace new can always be hard on the social level…

Peace,
+AMDG+