Catechetics

Planning tip: Catechetical Sunday is September 21, 2008. This year's theme is "The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church." 2008 materials are expected to be available in the spring through the USCCB website. For more information, contact the USCCB's Division for Catechesis/Religious Education at (202) 541-3000

Diocesan-wide Meeting for DREs and CREs

Directors of Religious Education and Faith Formation Coordinators are invited to join us for a morning or evening of sharing resources, networking and spiritual support. Meeting will take place on Thursday, August 14, at St. Isidore (St. Isidore Room), 440 La Gonda Way, Danville. The English session will be from 10:00am to 1:00pm, and the Spanish session will be from 6:30 to 9:00pm. Light refreshments will be provided; please bring a sack lunch. Future meetings will take place every other month. For more information, please call Mary Ann Wiesinger at 510-267-8352 or e-mail mwiesinger@oakdiocese.org.

Please RSVP for this DRE/CRE meeting by Tuesday, August 12.
RSVP now!

Summer Formation for Catechists and All Adults

Formation in English and Spanish is being offered by the diocese in collaboration with the parishes of St. Paul in San Pablo and St. Francis of Assisi in Concord. Topics include Spirituality of the Catechist, the National Directory for Catechesis, the Year of St. Paul, and more. All are invited but space is limited. Registration is free!
More information | Registration

Serra Catechetical Institute

The next class meets in Antioch beginnings September 2008! The new Serra Catechetical Institute (SCI) is a 60-hour process that includes formation for catechists, Catholic school teachers, parents and all adults who want to live their Catholic faith more deeply. SCI meets the formation requirements for the basic California Catechist Certificate.
More information about SCI

Formation Opportunities

The Department for Evangelization and Catechesis sponsors many programs and events for ongoing formation. The DEC Event Calendar is constantly updated with workshops and other formation opportunities for catechists and other Catholics interested in ongoing formation. Check back often or subscribe using Google.

Mission

To assist catechetical personnel to pursue a total parochial formational experience for children, youth and adults.

Who is a Catechist?

A catechist is a person of faith who is called by the parish or school community to hand on the tradition and teachings of the Catholic Church to others. This call demands that the catechist understand church doctrine and demonstrate appropriate teaching skills. More than that, a catechist realizes God’s voice in this call to serve, and recognizes the need for continuing personal growth and faith formation

A Catechist:

• has a strong awareness of God’s grace in his or her own life;
• realizes the importance of building Christian community;
• participates regularly in the liturgy;
• desires to deepen his or her own prayer life;
• respects individual growth, difference and cultures;
• is open to change, yet is rooted in Catholic Christian convictions;
• communicates effectively with others;
• is committed to on-going personal religious education and formation;
• has a dedication to service and commitment to teaching within the Roman Catholic tradition.

How to Become a Certified Catechist

Basic Catechist Certification is a process through which a person gains basic knowledge and skills to communicate effectively the basic Catholic Christian message. The Bishops of California have established criteria to promote and standardize the competence of catechetical programs. The Basic Catechist Certification course offered throughout the Diocese implements these guidelines. It is called formation, for its object is not primarily to develop skills, but to develop the person as a proclaimer of the message of Jesus through his Church.

The California Catechist Certificate is recognized by any diocese in the state of California. The certificate is valid for three years.

Certification is granted after successful completion of the Basic Certification Course (current offerings, recertification form), which is 60 hours, and be evaluated twice while functioning as a catechist.

Of Interest for Program Coordinators

All volunteers working with minors (age 17 and under) need to be screened. Please contact the Safe Environment for Children office at the Diocese at (510) 893-4711.

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