Mission of Catechist Formation

My teaching is not from myself; it comes from the one who sent me. (Jn 7:16)

As, catechists, our definitive aim must always be “to put people not only in touch, but also in communion and intimacy, with Jesus Christ.” (GDC 80, CT 5) We must present a complete authentic instruction of the faith, faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church so that the fruits of the Church may not go unnoticed or unpracticed.

Role of the Catechist

My brethren show not partiality as you hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory... for whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it... what does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has no works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or a sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled, without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead... you see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. (Jas 2:1, 10, 14-17, 24)

Christ is the Divine Teacher. He is the ultimate catechist who constitutes all that we proclaim to be true. In keeping with Christ as our ultimate Divine Teacher, we find evidence in the Gospel where Jesus is seen "day after day sitting in the temple teaching" (Mt 6:25; 24:1-14; Lk. 14:15; 20:1-8). Christ’s teaching was part of His missionary work on earth. The proclamation of the Gospel by Christ involved catechetical instruction to the un-catechized. The primary objective for all catechists is to teach the mystery of Christ. A revelation occurs in the Person of Christ through God’s eternal design for all mankind. Through this revelation, catechesis is established not as a means of promoting one’s own teaching or someone’s personal mastery of a subject, it is the establishment of the teachings of Jesus Christ because He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life - Jn 14:6.

Characteristics of the Catechist

• The first and primary role of the Catechist is to be a primary witness to the Catholic faith to students.
• That faith must also be put into practice resulting in the catechist being an active model of Christian charity for all to see, especially the student being catechized.
• In the act of faith and works, a catechist exemplifies the model of catechesis as a systematic, organic presentation of the faith rooted firmly in the teachings of the Catholic Church and visibly expressed through participation in the sacraments, the commandments, beatitudes, and prayer.
• The missionary mandate of Jesus, the supreme evangelist, was to proclaim the kingdom of God. In proclaiming the Kingdom of His Father, Jesus preached of the joy of the kingdom and the fruits that would be shared in the kingdom. (General Directory of Catechesis 34)

Basic Catechist Certification

The Pope John Paul II Institute provides basic certification for catechist through their Year I Program. This program will cover catechetical methodology in lesson planning and planning a curriculum, Catholic doctrine, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Liturgy and Sacraments, Life in Christ and prayer.

To learn more, click here!
¡Haga clic aquí para más información!

My Catholic Faith Delivered provides another option for basic certification by participating in their on-line Basic Catechist Certification Course.

To learn more, click here!

Intermediate Catechist Certification

The Pope John Paul II Institute provides intermediate certification for catechist through their Year 2 Program. Year 2 will center on the Catechist Specialization involving catechetical methods, Church doctrine, content and curriculum, sacramental preparation, liturgical catechesis and Church documents.

To learn more, click here!
¡Haga clic aquí para más información!

Ave Maria University Institute of Pastoral Theology

Ave Maria University’s Institute for Pastoral Theology (IPT) operates a graduate program with the mission to place the gift of pastoral theology at the service of the Church. The Master of Theological Studies (MTS) degree is the focus of the Institute, the goal of which is to impart to students an in-depth understanding of the principles of pastoral theology in view of providing the Church with men and women who can bring to their ecclesial service a mature and balanced theological competence. The General Catechetical Directory expresses the urgency of proper formation for pastoral action: "Any pastoral activity for the carrying out of which there are not at hand persons with the right formation and preparation will necessarily come to nothing."

To learn more, click here!

Contact

Marlon De La Torre, MA MEd.
Director of Catechist Formation & Children’s Catechesis
(817) 560-2452, Ext. 267
mdelatorre@fwdioc.org