Catechist Formation - Phase 1

CATECHIST FORMATION CERTIFICATION

 

The Diocese of Charlotte is offering FREE Phase I training for all catechists.

Please click the link below to register for this online training.

Phase 1 Catechist Training



PHASE I
Since effective catechesis depends on virtuous and skilled catechists, their
ongoing formation should enhance the human, spiritual, and apostolic qualities and
catechetical skills they bring to their ministry.  Diocesan pastoral programs must give
absolute priority to the formation of lay catechist. 
National Directory of Catechesis


Who is a Catechist?
A catechist is a person who is called in the life of the Church to evangelize the Good News within the Ministry of Catechesis to all age levels.  The catechist  witnesses by word and service to the meaning and power of the risen Lord in his or her experience. 

The catechist echoes our faith and is commissioned to teach as Jesus did.  The demand of the catechist is to understand and teach Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition by demonstrating  appropriate teaching skills

The Person of the Catechist:
•Realizes that catechetical involvement is a response to a call, a vocation, to share in the ministry of Jesus.  As a messenger of God, the catechist gives of his or her time and talent to not only catechize others, but to witness the fulfillment of his/her own spiritual growth in learning, faith and holiness—the continuous  conversion. 
•Witness to the Gospel exhibiting a nourished prayer life that is both personal and communal.
•Maintains an active membership in the his/her parish faith community to share in its life of worship and service.
•Through continuing education, the catechist exemplifies the matured faith bringing an awareness of the gifts of the faith community. 


What is the Catechist Certification Process?
The Catechist Certification Process is a competency based catechist formation process.  Phase 1 invites  catechists  (or any interested adult) to introductory concepts which provide a general level of knowledge for the beginning catechist or for catechists who have ben teaching but want more formation along with the parish meeting diocesan catechist standards.  To be eligible to receive Phase I certification, catechists are required to attend the two Catechist Training sessions (prior to Faith Formation year) along with the 6 modules of formation.  After completing Phase I, catechists will be able to continue with Phase II and Phase III.  



Modules for Phase I
All Phase 1 Modules are offered free of charge.

We Believe (Creed )– this module teaches the basic tenets of the Catholic faith as found in the Creed. The catechist is shown that faith is more a response than a concept; the Trinitarian character of the Christian faith and religion is discussed by using
 examples from daily life. (3.25 hours)  Oct. 7

Catholic Moral Vision (Morality) – this module demonstrates an understanding of how Christian morality is rooted in Scripture. Attention is drawn to the meaning of the Ten Commandments and to the Sermon on the Mount as a moral document for Christianity. The continual need for “conversion of the heart” and the role the catechist plays in
recognizing this need is emphasized. (3.25 hours)   
Dec. 2 

Growing as a Catechist (Skills & Theory; Self-Evaluation & Reflection)  - this module helps the catechist to understand the catechetical process related to the human sciences aspect of learning and faith development.  This season, through a mid-year offering allows the catechist to complete self-evaluation of formation year and develop a growth plan that will assist him/her within the classroom along with personal spiritual growth.  (3.25 hours)
Jan. 6

God’s Love Letter (Scripture) – this module enables the catechist to comprehend a rudimentary familiarity with the Bible and an elementary understanding of the Bible’s meaning. The writings of the Bible, literary forms, the expression of truth as revealed in the Word of God, and the use of the Bible for personal growth are explored. (3.25 hours) Feb. 3

Prayer & Spirituality  - this module demonstrates the fundamental tasks of all Christians:  how to pray with Christ.  Catechesis calls all disciples to pray with sincerity through praise, thanksgiving, adoration, contrition and supplication.  This module with explore prayer through its relationship with prayer and understanding the Christian call to a healthy prayer life and spirituality and as catechists we model that prayer life for others.  (3.25 hours)  March 3

Sacraments  & Liturgy
– this module allows the catechist to demonstrate an understanding of the rudiments of Sacramental theology. In addition, the catechist would understand the sacred nature of ordinary life and how life events reveal the presence of God, why Jesus is the SACRAMENT, and how the sacraments are a distinguishing feature of Catholicism. The distinguishing characters of the seven sacraments are explained. (3.25 hours) April 14