What are CCE classes like?

[madeup_nickname]

Hi,

Our church is about to start CCE and they are begging for volunteers. I’m interested, but I know nothing about it since I converted in adulthood (I do have a BA in theology though, so I feel qualified).

Does anyone have experience teaching CCE? What is it like? How often are the classes typically? How long does it take to prepare lessons? Are the kids receptive? Joys? Problems?

Thanks a lot.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

I’ve never heard of CCE. Is that another name for CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) or children’s faith formation?

 

[KarenElissa]

CCE? Catholic Christian Ed?

I have a little bit of experience with Religious Ed. Last year I helped in one class and subbed when people were gone. This year I’m teaching RCIA for children.

My parish has classes Sunday mornings, some have them on Saturdays, others during the week. It is pretty much always once a week though, minus holidays and such. Ours last a hour and 15 minutes.

You should get a teachers book with lessons and such. That will basically be your lesson. From there you can add in extra activities or such to make it a little more you.

I LOVE doing this kind of thing, so I think it is great. There will be hard weeks when it seems like no one is paying any attention and they only want to goof off. But then someone will say something and you can tell they really do get it!

I vote go for it! Getting involved in helping kids grow in their faith is extremely important!

 

[puzzleannie]

God bless you for responding to this call.
CCE (continuing Christian Education)
CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine)
PSR (Parish School of Religion)
RE (Religious Education)
CCF (Continuing Christian Formation)

different acronymns for the same thing
Formal instruction in the Catholic Faith offered by the Parish to assist the parents in their duty to educate their child in the Faith.

typical program is weekly classroom instruction during the school year, taught from a standard grade level textbook by volunteer catechists, who are trained by the Parish catechetical leader or by someone from the Diocese. Often a volunteer, sometimes a parent, or other willing parishioner like OP begins teaching without a formal certification, and learns “on the job” and takes formation classes as they are offered in the diocese.

typical spiral curriculum by most textbook publishers includes in each grade level scripture, doctrine, prayers, and moral teaching, with a topical focus each year. the publisher of the textbook has a website to help catechists, and which explains that curriculum, and catechist has a manual, which generally has excellent help in lesson planning, teaching needs of various age levels, tips for activities to extend the lesson and to evaluate learning.

anyone who answers the plea for catechists for children of the parish is responding in a direct and concrete way to our baptismal mandate to evangelize, and is entering a most rewarding ministry, and can expect personal growth not only in knowledge of doctrine but spiritually, and is cooperating with the Holy Spirit.

God bless you all, including catechists from my parish, who are IMO the best in our diocese.

there are some ongoing discussions for catechists on the Evangelization forum, which should be starting up again now the year is beginning.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

Does anyone have experience teaching CCE? What is it like? How often are the classes typically? How long does it take to prepare lessons? Are the kids receptive? Joys? Problems?

Now that I know what CCE is (we don’t use that name), yes, I have some experience. I have taught 6th graders for three years (two years in my current parish, one year in another parish many years ago).

In our parish, classes are September through early May, once a week for 1 to 1¼ hours on Sunday mornings. (This is typical, but some parishes do it on weekday evenings.)

Good planning and preparation each week is important. You might spend two hours or so preparing for a one-hour class.

Are the kids receptive? Some are, some are not. (You know the parable of the sower — rocky ground, foot path, fertile soil — you’ll see it all.) Some come from faith-filled families, others come from families who rarely set foot in church. You do the best you can, and try to love them all.

Joys? When a 6th-grade boy says it’s really neat that we get to read right out of the Bible this year. When a child who you thought had been sleeping asks a really insightful question. When a child with ADHD shows enthusiasm and volunteers to help with a project. When a parent thanks you for teaching her child.

Problems? Lack of training. (The first time I taught many years ago, I was thrown into a large class, mostly boys, with no training and no aide. It was a disaster. I promised myself I’d never do it again. I guess God had different plans.) Parents who yell at you. (Yes, it happens.) Trying to impress on children the importance of going to Mass and Confession when their parents never do so. Lack of time. (One hour a week, some of which is taken up with administrative details and various interruptions, never seems to be enough.)

Despite the problems, I love doing this. If you are hesitant, you might want to be an aide the first year, observing how a “seasoned veteran” does it. But with your educational background, that might be a waste of your talent.

Go for it, and God bless you!

 

[puzzleannie]

best advice for the first-timer esp. if it is a “here’s the book, go for it” type of assignment

recruit an aide from among the other parents, your teenage kids, the confirmation class. you need an equalizer.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

best advice for the first-timer esp. if it is a “here’s the book, go for it” type of assignment

recruit an aide from among the other parents, your teenage kids, the confirmation class. you need an equalizer.

Great idea! Just make sure your DRE (director of religious education) knows that you are doing so, and that they approve who it is. Many dioceses require background checks on anyone who works with children, so your aide will have to go through that process.

 

[madeup_nickname]

Thank you all for your thoughful replies. This is exactly the type of information I was looking for. I think I will give it try!

 

[TheDoctor]

Hi, Our church is about to start CCE and they are begging for volunteers. I’m interested, but I know nothing about it since I converted in adulthood (I do have a BA in theology though, so I feel qualified).

Does anyone have experience teaching CCE? What is it like? How often are the classes typically? How long does it take to prepare lessons? Are the kids receptive? Joys? Problems? Thanks a lot.

At our Parish classes run for 75 minutes once a week from September through May. Preparation time varies depending on if you are a teacher, co-teacher or aide (I would recommend the last two for someone just starting out). I have taught the 6th grade confirmation classes so my opinion is slanted, but I would NOT pick a sacrament year (communion/confirmation) for my first time unless you will be paired with an experienced teacher.

It can be frustrating. Many parents just drop the kids off and expect us to teach them all of the faith. Hard to get any help. Over half my class kids never went to Church on a regular basis - my favorite quote “If I have a motorbike race, then it’s OK to miss Mass, right?” Some kids don’t take class seriously because it’s “not real school”. The other 6th grade teacher and I had no co-teacher or aide all year. I had 5 special needs kids in class last year so I had to change my attitude to try to teach them. Trying to teach the Rosary was an adventure. I seem to be rambling. Thanks for letting me vent.

All that being said, I’ll be starting class again in 2 weeks, God willing and I love it. Why? Because it is where I think God wants me to be right now and where I can share my gifts. Nothing will touch your heart more than when you see one of the kids you taught put their faith into action either at the parish or in the community.

Go ahead and give it a try- and please pray for all those who will be teaching the faith this year.