"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
Catechists facilitate and/or lead faith formation sessions using age-appropriate material provided. Catechists should be comfortable in large and small group settings and have a love of children, a good sense of humor, a willingness to share their faith and an openness to further their own personal faith growth. There are several different areas of need, each with different responsibilities and commitments:

• Early Childhood Catechist

Adults who are not parents of a 3, 4, or 5 year old are needed to lead in the following areas: storytelling, craft, prayer, snack and song. Time commitment includes: once-a-month planning sessions for 1 1/2 hour during the day, four monthly sessions with young children and parents on either a Friday or a Saturday morning from 10 am - 11:30 am during October - May, one end-of-the-year evaluation session and attending at least one 2 hour Catechist Formation Topic session held at various times and locations. Contact: Alice Doppel (586) 268-2244. more...

• Family 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, choice of one or both once a month evening session from 6:30 pm - 8 pm, and/or Sunday sessions after the 10 am or 12 pm Liturgies, and attending at least one 2 hour Catechist Formation Topic session held at various times and locations. Contact: Pat Pakizer (586) 268-2244. More

• Young Adolescent Catechist

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 ½ - 2 hour evening planning sessions, twice monthly evening sessions with young people for 2 hours, end-of-the-year evaluation session, and attending at least one 2 hour Catechist Formation Topic session held at various times and locations. Contact: Claudia Messina (586) 268-2244. More

• First Eucharist Catechist

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

• First Reconciliation Catechist

Catechists, in collaboration with the program coordinator, facilitate children's portion of Family Workshops. Time commitment includes: one evening planning meeting, two 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: Pat Pakizer (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, Potluck Supper and celebration of the Sacrament. Contact: Claudia Messina (586) 268-2244. More

• Confirmation Cluster Leader

Parents of Confirmation candidates who are willing to invite a small group of candidates into their home and facilitate catechetical sessions toward preparation for the sacrament. Time commitment includes: two - 2 hour training sessions prior to the process, six weeks of 2 hour evening sessions with candidates, planning and implementing a group service experience, holding one session after the celebration to help young people share their experience, and an evaluation session at the end of the process. Contact: Claudia Messina (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: Pat Pakizer and Claudia Messina (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

• Summer Circle

  Summer Circle is a week-long faith formation experience. Over 200 teens and adults are needed to minister in these various areas: crafts, drama, babysitting, crew leaders, kitchen, music, games, decorating, photography, set-up, and clean-up. Specific assignments are solicited in March and April. Watch the The Flame Bulletin for specifics in early spring. Contact: Alice Doppel 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, (anyone over the age of 8). 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

• Marriage Preparation Team

  The Marriage Preparation Team assists engaged couples as they prepare for their life together. Preparation is currently offered four times a year and consists of four weekly sessions on Monday evenings in October, January, April and June that are facilitated by team members. Contact: Fr. Randy Phillips 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 and Sandy Palazzolo 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. The library is open before and after all weekend Masses and throughout the week during regular parish office hours. 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)

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

I. Basic Certification

A. Twenty Foundational Topics

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

1. How to Use the Bible with Different Age Levels
2. What is the Bible?
3. Who is Jesus?
4. What is Faith?
5. What is Theology?
6. Christian Perspectives on Creation
7. Catechists and Social Justice
8. What About the Ten Commandments and the Gospel?
9. Who and What is a Catechist?
10. How to Read the Bible Faith Development and the Catechetical Context
11. Some Effective Catechetical Techniques
12. The Catechetical Text as a Tool
13. What is Church?
14. What is Sacrament?
15. What is Worship?
16. What is Prayer?
17. How do We Learn? *
18. Managing Student Behavior *
19. How do Personalities Develop? *
    * State Teacher Certification serves as an equivalency for topics 18, 19 and 20.

For a summary of each topic, see the flier "Description of the Twenty Foundational Topics."

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. On-going 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

CATECHIST FORMATION TOPICS

The response to the call to be a catechist includes a willingness to give time and talent not only to catechizing others, but also to one's own continued growth in faith, understanding, and skills. Catechist formation topics provide the catechist with the basic foundation for ministry through the study of topics in the areas of Scripture, theology, sacraments, and learning methodology.

Catechist certification topics are offered at St. Blase during the month of January and at various times through the Vicariate. These opportunities for formation and education are not just limited to catechists; all adults are welcome!

• North and Central Macomb Vicariates: St. Kierans
  53600 Mound Road, Shelby Twp., MI 48316
  (586) 781-6515

• North and Central Macomb Vicariates: St. Ephrem
  38900 Dodge Park Rd, Sterling Heights, MI 48312
  (586) 264-2777

• Sacred Heart Major Seminary
  2701 Chicago Blvd., Detroit, MI 48206
  (313) 883-8520 for availability
  

• Catechist Foundational Topic Descriptions