Master Catechist Program

• A “person selected and commissioned by the Bishop” to teach in his name
• A person who serves both the diocese and the parish
• A model for volunteer catechists

What do Master Catechists Do?

According to the California Catholic Conference Guidelines for Certification the function of a Master Catechist is to:

1. Provide the specific formation required by the diocese for catechists to obtain or renew a California Catechist Certificate;
2. Provide workshops and in-services for the continued growth and formation of Catechists;
3. Exercise catechetical leadership

Prerequisites for Application to the Master Catechist Program

1. Basic Catechist Certificate or its equivalent
2. Degree
   • Masters Degree or Masters Certificate Program in Religious Studies, Catechesis or Theology, from a Catholic college or university.

OR

1. • Master’s Degree in Education, with a minimum requirement of 12 additional graduate hours in Theology, Religious Studies or Religious Education

OR

Completion of the St. Francis de Sales School for Pastoral Ministry with graduation date after 2010

[*] The St. Francis de Sales School for Pastoral Ministry courses began to meet the standards outlined in the 2009 Guidelines for Obtaining the California Catechist Certificate and The California Master Catechist Certificate in 2010.

In order to renew a CATECHIST must complete a total of 30 hours of ongoing formation. Application for renewal must be made within one year of the certificate's expiration date.