"The fundamental tasks of catechists are to proclaim Christ's message, to participate in efforts to develop community, to lead people to worship and prayer and to motivate them to serve others."
~ National Catechetical Directory, #213

CATECHIST OPPORTUNITIES AT ST. BLASE
You've heard it said that "it takes a village to raise a child." THIS IS SO TRUE! Therefore, we ask you to consider being a catechist or catechist aide, an instrument used by God to share the Good News with our children who are in desperate need to hear it!

You're afraid? Don't be! If Peter, Paul or any of the apostles let fear stop them, just think where the church would be today! We grow when we are challenged.

You don't think you're knowledgeable enough? Covered! There are multiple opportunities for you - training and formation right here "in house" at St. Blase.

What are we looking for in a catechist? We are looking for confirmed Catholic adults who are willing to learn, a good sense of humor, and a gentle spirit and temperament to teach, guide and listen to our children as they learn and grow in their faith.

What are we looking for in an aide? We are looking for teens or adults who will assist the catechist by helping take attendance, taking children to the bathroom, helping to keep order and assisting the catechist in anyway needed.

• Faith Formation Catechist(Age 3 - Kindergarten)

Adults are needed to lead in the following areas: storytelling, craft, prayer, snack and song. Time commitment includes: runs once-a-month on a Saturday morning from 10 am - 11:30 am during October - May. Contact: Janel Mariani & Diane Bilich (586) 268-2244. more...

• Faith Formation Catechist (Grades 1-5)

Catechists facilitate children's group sessions and collaborate with the coordinator and other catechists on session plans. Time commitment includes: once a month planning meetings, twice a month evening session from 6:30 pm - 8 PM, and attending "Echoes of Faith" Catechist Topics held at various times. Contact: Alice Doppel (586) 268-2244. More

• Faith Formation Catechist (Grades 6-8)

Catechists, in collaboration with the program coordinator, facilitate group sessions with young people in grades 6, 7, or 8. Time commitment includes:once a month 1 1/2 - 2 hour evening planning sessions, twice monthly evening sessions with young people for 1 1/2 hours, end -of-the-year evaluation session, and attending at least one 2 hour Catchist Topic session held at various times and locations. Contact: John Lajiness (586) 268-2244. More

• First Eucharist Catechist (Age 7 and when ready)

Catechists facilitate children's portion of Family Workshops and collaborate with the coordinator and other catechists on workshop plans. Time commitment includes: five evening family workshops and attending at least one 2 hour Catechist Formation Topic session offered at various times and locations. Contact: Alice Doppel (586) 268-2244. More

• First Reconciliation Catechist (Age 7 and when ready)

Catechists, in collaboration with the program coordinator, facilitate children's portion of Family Workshops. Time commitment includes: three evening Family Workshops from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM, and attending at least one 2 hour Catechist Formation Topic session held at various times and locations. Contact: Alice Doppel (586) 268-2244. More

• Confirmation Team

  The Confirmation Team works with the coordinator to plan and implement the process to prepare youth to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. Time commitment includes: evening planning meetings about three times a year, a couple of hours to help conduct interviews of candidates twice during the process, and helping to facilitate various events such as parent sessions, sponsor sessions, rehearsal and celebration of the Sacrament. Contact: Joe Wilseck (586) 268-2244. More

• RCIA Children's Catechist

People who are willing to share their faith facilitate and teach small group sessions for children seeking Christian initiation. Lesson planning sessions and resource materials are provided to equip the catechist for this ministry. Time commitment includes being part of a catechist team that works on a rotating basis depending on need (approximately 8-10 sessions per year); and attending at least one 2 hour Catechist Formation Topic Session offered at various times and locations. Contact: Joe Wilseck (586) 268-2244. More

• Catechist Aide

  Catechist aides assist catechists in faith formation session activities for children. Aides are needed in the following areas: Family Faith Formation Program and Young Adolescent Program. Contact: Alice Doppel or John Lajiness (586) 268-2244.

• Youth Ministry Team

The Youth Ministry Team works with 9 - 12th graders in their faith journey to adulthood. The team collaborates with the coordinator of youth ministry to plan and facilitate weekly sessions for teens on Sunday afternoon as well as a number of activities. Team members are asked to attend formation topics, working towards diocesan certification. Contact: Joe Wilseck at (586) 268-2244. More

• Vacation Bible School (Summer Circle)

Summer Circle is a week-long faith formation experience. Over 100 teens and adults are needed to minister in these various areas: crafts, drama, baby-sitting, crew leaders, kitchen, music, games, decorating, photography, setup, and cleanup. Specific assignments are solicited in March and April. Watch the The Flame Bulletin for specifics in early spring. Contact: Barb Ziarko at (586) 268-2244. More

• RCIA Sponsor

An RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) sponsor is a person willing to be a friend, witness, companion and guide for a woman, man or young person (7 or older) seeking Christian Initiation. Sponsors do not teach, but rather accompany the person seeking initiation on their faith journey. Although initiation is the responsibility of the whole community of St. Blase, the sponsor represents the community in a personal and direct way; therefore, we need BOTH children and adult sponsors. Time commitment includes attendance at weekly Tuesday evening sessions with the candidate for the duration of the candidate's participation in the RCIA process (approximately 9 - 12 months). Contact: Joe Wilseck at (586) 268-2244. More

• Returning Catholics Team Member

Returning Catholics Team Members are active Catholics who facilitate conversations with those who have been away from the Church and are interested in returning to the practice of their faith. Contact Mary Dumm at the Parish Office, (586) 268-2244 more...

• Library Aide

The parish library has many books and videos available for checkout and use by parishioners. Librarians are needed in the following areas: put away returned books/videos, straighten library shelves, write short book reviews for The Flame, and monitor book/video returns, making phone calls when necessary. The time commitment is approximately 2-3 hours per month. Contact Lois Oser at the Parish Office, (586) 268-2244 more..

HOW DOES A CATECHIST BECOME CERTIFIED?
(As taken from the Office for Catechetics/Religious Education)

Topics Offered for Certification
Are you a Catechist and need topics for Catechist Certification? Do you teach in a
Catholic school and are in need of Catechist Certification? Or do you just want to learn
more about your faith? There are three different ways to go about it:

1.) Catechist Topics (2 hours each) offered periodically throughout the year at various churches in the area. 27 topics needed for certification. Contact Alice Doppel or John Lajiness for offerings in the area. Cost is $10 per topic, reimbursed to active St. Blase parishioners after successful completion.

2.) University of Dayton (VLCFF) 7 courses needed for Catechist Certification. Each course is 5 weeks long, approximately 5 hours of work per week. $90 each course, reimbursed to active St. Blase parishioners after successful completion. http://vlc.udayton.edu

3.) “Echoes of Faith PLUS” Video Series Meetings are 2 hours, from 6:30 PM— 8:30 PM Homework required for certification. Total of 10 topics required for certification. Catechist certification could be accomplished in 2 years, 5 topics per year. Cost is $25 per year, active St. Blase parishioners to be reimbursed after successful completion of the series. Call Alice Doppel to get on the registration list. 586-268-2244 or alice.doppel@stblase.org. See calendar below for dates.

It is a two-part process: Basic Certification and Annual Enrichment

I. Basic Certification

A. Twenty-seven Foundational Topics

Each topic is two hours. The topics include studies in Scripture, theology, morality, prayer and worship, catechetics and learning methodology.

1. Catechesis and the Call of the Catechist
2. Creative Methods to Foster Faith Growth (children or adult session)
3. Facilitating a Catechetical Session:Group Dynamics (children or adult session)
4. Foundations in Sacred Scripture
5. Meeting Jesus
6. Sacrament: Sign and Symbol
7. Holy Trinity: Sacred Mystery
8. The Church: People of God
9. Dynamics of Faith
10. Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist
11. Prayer
12. Covenant Living: The Ten Commandments and the Gospel
13. Forming a Christian Community
    • Using and Exploring Sacred Scripture (children or adult session)
    • Sacraments of Healing: Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick
    • The Church at Prayer in the Eucharistic Celebration
    • The Church at Prayer in the Liturgical Seasons
    • Morality and Conscience Formation
    • Catechesis in a Multicultural World
    • Dying and Rising: A Pastoral Perspective
14. Theology as Sacred Tradition
15. Mary: First Disciple and Model for Catholic Christians
16. The Vision of Vatican II
17. Sacraments at the Service of Communion:Matrimony and Holy Orders
18. Spirituality
19. Catholic Social Teaching: Understanding and Response
20. Evangelization
    

Equivalency for topics can be given for recent related formational experiences that can be documented. Your DRE will have an EMCF member evaluate these experiences for equivalencies.

1. Observe another catechist
2. Be observed by the DRE (or Principal)
3. Study scope and sequence of text Become familiar with resources
4. Year-end reflection with immediate supervisor
   
   The Director of Religious Education or section head assists the catechist during formation in these practical aspect of catechesis within the parish or school.

II. Ongoing Annual Enrichment Following Basic Certification

Faith development is a lifelong process through which we continue to come to a deeper understanding of our life in Christ. A call to the ministry of catechists also necessitates ongoing formation and continual skills development.

Therefore, once catechists have achieved Basic Certification, they consistently participate in enrichment opportunities which foster faith growth and expertise in the Church's catechetical mission.

Enrichment is not limited to the themes of the foundational topics. Enrichment constitutes any opportunity that enhances and deepens:

• The catechist's understanding of the Catholic faith and his/her faith development
• The catechist's catechetical skills