Ongoing Catechist Formation

Pathways for Catechist FormationCRITERIA for Pathways Ongoing Formation Events

Catechists who have completed the Diocesan Pathways: Vocation, Scripture/Creed and Methods formation session should pursue Pathways Ongoing Catechist Formation. Each calendar year following the completion of the initial Diocesan-presented Pathways Workshop, a minimum of three hours of approved catechist formation is expected of all active parish Catechists.

Pathways eventEvents Qualifying as Pathways Ongoing Catechist Formation

Catechetical events scheduled after September 2011 may qualify as Pathways Ongoing Catechist Formation if they involve learning in any area specified by the Six Tasks of Catechesis:

  • Knowledge of the Faith
  • Liturgy and Sacraments
  • Morality
  • Prayer
  • Community Life
  • Missionary Initiation (NDC, pp. 59-63)

These formation opportunities may occur in the context of parish, regional, national or diocesan events; such as conferences, workshops, or retreats. Qualifying events are expected to provide learning that increases catechists’ personal understanding and experience of their faith and/or builds skills for use in their catechetical ministry. Examples of what qualifies are presented below.

PAST EVENTS that meet the criteria for Pathways Ongoing Formation

Since Pathways 2009 was inaugurated, many catechists have attended the diocesan-presented Pathways workshop and continued to grow in faith and knowledge by attending other formational events. Some events that fit the criteria for Pathways Ongoing Catechist Formation and do NOT need an application submitted include:

PAST Diocesan Events

  • Sullivan Conference 2010 – May 18-19, Mechanicsville and Salem
  • Sullivan Conference 2011 – May 12-13, Mechanicsville and May 12, Salem
  • University of Dayton online courses VLCFF program
  • Confirmation Catechist Training Workshop, 2010
  • Upper Room, August and November, 2010
  • Youth Workers Workshop – Sept 13-14, 2010
  • Diocesan Youth Conference Workshops – July 2010, July 2011
  • Gift Facilitation Workshop – June 26, 2010
  • Welcoming the Roman Missal workshops, summer 2011
  • Pflaum Workshop, Supporting Parents as the Primary Catechists of their Children, June 2011
  • Clergy Study Days – January 2010 through July 2011

PAST regionally sponsored events:

  • LPA 2 & 3 Summer Catechist Workshop (annually in August)
  • LPA 9, 11, 12, & 13 – Cenacle Group – “Graced by God” Catechist Day (annually in October)
  • LPA 15 & 16 Catechist Day – annually in the fall, hosted by Regional Minister for Christian Formation
  • Youth Event 2011 - featuring Jason Everett

PAST nationally sponsored events: 

  • Fashion Me a People, NCCL Conference, LA RE Congress, National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministers

Pathways eventAll other past events need an application submitted to meet the criteria for Pathways Ongoing Catechist Formation.

Parish catechetical leaders and event organizers are encouraged to submit their events to see if they qualify as a Pathways Ongoing Catechist Formation Event. Many events that happened around our diocese will qualify! Applications for past events will be accepted if they occurred after January 1, 2010. Topics may be from any of the 6 tasks of catechesis. Ideally, the outcome of qualifying formation events would be to assist persons in the role of catechist by helping them grow: as witnesses to the faith in their being and action, as teachers that impart knowledge of the faith, and as educators who know how to share the faith with others (GDC, 239-245).

Examples include:

Catechist study days done within the parish

  • Presentations on discipline in the classroom or learning disabilities
  • Prayer methods; “Praying in Color” presentation
  • How to incorporate the liturgical year in lessons; liturgical catechesis
  • Methods for catechetical instruction, multiple intelligences, small group dynamics, etc.

Pathways eventTheological presentations and lectures

  • Study of the Gospel for the coming Lectionary cycle
  • Roman Missal study done at the parish level
  • Models of the Church; Models of the Eucharist
  • Catholic Social Teaching and Voting; The Church and Biomedical Ethics
  • Saints - who are they?  How we can be like them?

Video Series – theological or catechetical (i.e. Echoes of Faith; History of the Vatican; Catholicism Project)

Bible Studies – Little Rock, Threshold, Ascension Press

Webinars – Presented by North American Forum, Diocesan Offices, NCCL, NCEA, Catechetical Publishers

What does NOT qualify for Pathways Ongoing Catechist Formation?
While many events that catechists participate in at the parish or other level may help them grow in their personal relationship with God and others, they may not count for Pathways Ongoing Catechist Formation.  Examples might include: a prayer/support group, lectio divina on the Sunday Gospel, a silent retreat, an act of community service, a fellowship meeting with brief Scripture reflection, a catechist meeting to decide administrative matters.

For further details see the FAQs for PATHWAYS for Ongoing Formation Events

FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO SUBMIT YOUR EVENT:

Submit a completed application form to Christian Formation, pathways@richmonddiocese.org at least two weeks before your scheduled event. See forms page.

Provide information about the speaker/facilitator. Minimum requirements for speakers coming from within our diocese are the same as those used for catechists: Catholic in good standing, active in parish ministry, fully initiated (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist). Outside speakers must be approved by the diocese. See the Diocesan Guidelines on Guest Speakers. (PDF)

Make sure that all safe environment requirements are met if children/youth may be present.