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FAITH FORMATION: Catechist's
Corner Last revised:
October 14, 2008 9:34 AM
"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.
How to Use the Bible with Different Age Levels
What is the Bible?
Who is Jesus?
What is Faith?
What is Theology?
Christian Perspectives on Creation
Catechists and Social Justice
What About the Ten Commandments and the Gospel?
Who and What is a Catechist?
How to Read the Bible Faith Development and the Catechetical
Context
Some Effective Catechetical Techniques
The Catechetical Text as a Tool
What is Church?
What is Sacrament?
What is Worship?
What is Prayer?
How do We Learn? *
Managing Student Behavior *
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.
B. Internship
Observe another catechist
Be observed by the DRE (or Principal)
Study scope and sequence of text Become familiar with resources
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