 | Opening Prayer: Easter Joy...Alleluia! (click to open) This month's meeting focused on referring to the Catechetical Leaders' Handbook as a way to make sure record keeping is completed for this year and to look towards what needs to be done in preparation of next year. The first question in the discussion was "How was everyone's year? Were you able to schedule 30 hours of direct contact for each grade level?" Most parishes are fitting in the thirty hours encouraged by Bishop Cunningham. With today's schedules for families, holidays, etc... |
catechetical leaders had to get a little creative. Several parishes implemented family catechetical events or whole community/parish catechetical events. Several parishes worked together to provide collaborative catechetical youth events that were very successful. Some parishes are providing online experiences with blogs for students and/or families. Next year will be the second full year of implementation for 30 hour faith formation programs. If you were unable to fit 30 hours in this year, or were transitioning this year, please keep this in mind as all parishes should be on equal ground by providing similar program lengths. As a parish, the faith formation program has a responsibility to provide parents a quality faith formation experience that shares in the faith formation of its young members. If you are finding this to be a challenge to provide in your program, please contact our office so that we can help you find creative ways to support the recommended guideline.
Certification & Re-Certification: The Catechetical Leaders' Handbook describes various levels of certification. Remember that Associates and Directors should be updating their formation and be re-certified every 5 years with 65 hours of ongoing formation. Catechists can receive Level II certification and re-certification with 30 hours of ongoing faith formation workshops. (Section Two, pages 10 - 12 in the Catechetical Leaders' handbook).
Job Description - It is recommended that you have a job description written. Go over this with your pastor and have it signed as an agreement. This is not a contract, but should list all of your responsibilities. This helps the pastor understand the Catechetical Leaders' role and will help when a new pastor is assigned. It can be used as a communication tool. If you do create one, please send me a copy to keep in your file here at the office as well.
Sample Job Description
Evaluation - This is a reflective tool, not a test! This evaluation is for the catechetical leader to do prayerfully and honestly to help identify strengths and weaknesses. Take a few minutes to complete this, then set yourself some new goals or strategies to grow in your ministry. This can also be completed periodically by your pastor and others you work with. You may want to use this as a conversation starter with your parish. You may send me a copy of any evaluations to keep in your file record or keep them yourself to view year to year. These are used when catechetical leaders are applying for certification or re-certification. (Appendix A-7, Catechetical Leaders' Handbook)
Catechetical Leader Evaluation
Book Evaluation - Would you like to know how your catechists like the textbook? Are you thinking of changing publishers. This form may help you to evaluate the books you are using and others you are looking at.
Book Evaluation Form
Other Records and Publications - We also discussed other forms and records used by CLs including registration forms, photo release forms, calendar templates, confirmation handbooks, parish handbooks for families, handbook for catechists, etc. All of these have examples or ways to structure the items in the CL Handbook. In the folder icon, you will find items that fellow leaders brought to share. If you would like to share yours, please email a pdf of anything you have and I will update this folder.
ALSO...it was asked that we schedule an evening to work on creating handbooks in July. I'm looking at Wednesday, July 8th from 6:30 - 8:30 PM as a Hands on Handbook evening. We can have fun while accomplishing something to use for the upcoming catechetical year.
Folder:
Certification & Re-Certification: The Catechetical Leaders' Handbook describes various levels of certification. Remember that Associates and Directors should be updating their formation and be re-certified every 5 years with 65 hours of ongoing formation. Catechists can receive Level II certification and re-certification with 30 hours of ongoing faith formation workshops. (Section Two, pages 10 - 12 in the Catechetical Leaders' handbook).
Job Description - It is recommended that you have a job description written. Go over this with your pastor and have it signed as an agreement. This is not a contract, but should list all of your responsibilities. This helps the pastor understand the Catechetical Leaders' role and will help when a new pastor is assigned. It can be used as a communication tool. If you do create one, please send me a copy to keep in your file here at the office as well.
Sample Job Description
Evaluation - This is a reflective tool, not a test! This evaluation is for the catechetical leader to do prayerfully and honestly to help identify strengths and weaknesses. Take a few minutes to complete this, then set yourself some new goals or strategies to grow in your ministry. This can also be completed periodically by your pastor and others you work with. You may want to use this as a conversation starter with your parish. You may send me a copy of any evaluations to keep in your file record or keep them yourself to view year to year. These are used when catechetical leaders are applying for certification or re-certification. (Appendix A-7, Catechetical Leaders' Handbook)
Catechetical Leader Evaluation
Book Evaluation - Would you like to know how your catechists like the textbook? Are you thinking of changing publishers. This form may help you to evaluate the books you are using and others you are looking at.
Book Evaluation Form
Other Records and Publications - We also discussed other forms and records used by CLs including registration forms, photo release forms, calendar templates, confirmation handbooks, parish handbooks for families, handbook for catechists, etc. All of these have examples or ways to structure the items in the CL Handbook. In the folder icon, you will find items that fellow leaders brought to share. If you would like to share yours, please email a pdf of anything you have and I will update this folder.
ALSO...it was asked that we schedule an evening to work on creating handbooks in July. I'm looking at Wednesday, July 8th from 6:30 - 8:30 PM as a Hands on Handbook evening. We can have fun while accomplishing something to use for the upcoming catechetical year.
Folder:
 | Inside folder: Registration forms, photo release form, calendars & schedules, Confirmation Guidebook, Confirmation Interview questions, Confirmation Covenant, Service Contact list and more Email Aslaven@syrdio.org if you would like to contribute to this folder. |
REGIONAL EVENTS & GRANTS
Follow up to Eastern Region Catechetical Youth Events -
As the collaboration team works toward writing a grant, what is needed is 8-10 parishes who would really like to be part of this core group to help sponsor the three youth events. The 8-10 parishes would divide the costs after the grant. The events are open to others who may be charged at the time of the event. Hopefully, with more parishes involved, the grant will be accepted in full and the region will be able to provide great events for the youth at little expense per parish. Please open the following document to see the various levels of collaboration and sign up as you can.
See Details and Levels of Participation
Follow up to Eastern Region Catechetical Youth Events -
As the collaboration team works toward writing a grant, what is needed is 8-10 parishes who would really like to be part of this core group to help sponsor the three youth events. The 8-10 parishes would divide the costs after the grant. The events are open to others who may be charged at the time of the event. Hopefully, with more parishes involved, the grant will be accepted in full and the region will be able to provide great events for the youth at little expense per parish. Please open the following document to see the various levels of collaboration and sign up as you can.
See Details and Levels of Participation
October 26 - Eastern Region Good News Event!
This year there will be no diocesan conference...BUT...there will be regional events throughout the year! Let's journey together N.E.W.S.!
The Eastern Region event will be sponsored this time by Pflaum Publishers. We have two keynotes and will be working on other workshop presenters. We need help with venue and menu! Decorations, publications, promotions, and more! Good News Help will meet July 16th at 6:30PM.
This year there will be no diocesan conference...BUT...there will be regional events throughout the year! Let's journey together N.E.W.S.!
The Eastern Region event will be sponsored this time by Pflaum Publishers. We have two keynotes and will be working on other workshop presenters. We need help with venue and menu! Decorations, publications, promotions, and more! Good News Help will meet July 16th at 6:30PM.
Seeds of Faith Award - Please send your nomination in by April 24th!!!
(was emailed by the Office of Faith Formation)
Bishop Harrison Nomination- ditto!
(was emailed by the Office of Faith Formation)
Bishop Harrison Nomination- ditto!
Youth Leadership Day at Lake Delta "Come to the Water" - Cheryl needs a helping committee! Also, do you think you will be sending students to the Leadership Day? Let Cheryl know.
Youth Bike Tour - A wonderful southern region event that involves biking, camping and service! See details and share with your teens and parents. They may want to do this!
 | The Complete Folder all in one place! Add this folder to your Google Drive and have the items at your fingertips at anytime! |
LAST BUT NOT LEAST>>>>May 11th Annual Dinner Celebration! RSVP by Cinco de Mayo! (May 5th)
An idea was to have a few other raffle baskets for fun. So, if we would like to offer a few "theme" baskets. If you would like to donate items to create the following baskets:
Basket One - Spiritual Booster (anything to boost the spirit!)
Basket Two - Sunday Sundaes (anything to make Sundays or Sundaes special!)
Basket Three - Eastern Highlights (anything that is unique to the Eastern Region, your parish, neighborhood, etc.)
Note: Items can be anything from prayer cards, to books, to specially purchased items! If you want to donate something, please contact me via email. aslaven@syrdio.org
An idea was to have a few other raffle baskets for fun. So, if we would like to offer a few "theme" baskets. If you would like to donate items to create the following baskets:
Basket One - Spiritual Booster (anything to boost the spirit!)
Basket Two - Sunday Sundaes (anything to make Sundays or Sundaes special!)
Basket Three - Eastern Highlights (anything that is unique to the Eastern Region, your parish, neighborhood, etc.)
Note: Items can be anything from prayer cards, to books, to specially purchased items! If you want to donate something, please contact me via email. aslaven@syrdio.org
