Catechist Formation at St. Thomas More

This year the Diocese of Raleigh has developed a new approach to the formation of catechists within the Diocese. It has two components:

1. The Pre-Service Certificate
2. The Basic Certificate of Competence

The Pre-Service Certificate

The Diocese is concerned that all new catechists are given knowledge of the methods and skills they will need to begin their ministry. This course will last 12 hours and is built around the book, The Catechist’s Toolbox by Joe Paprocki (Loyola Press). We have copies of this book available; free to St. Thomas More catechists, $5 to others. The Diocese does not require catechists to have completed this before beginning service, therefore it will be offered in monthly two-hour segments beginning in October 2009. Please note that this program also includes Safe Environment Training, so catechists do not need to arrange this separately.

1. Tuesday Oct 6, 7:00 – 9:00 PM - The Vocation of the Catechist
2. Wednesday Nov 4, 6:30 – 9:00 PM - Safe Environment Training
3. Tuesday Dec 1, 7:00 – 9:00 PM - The Learner and the Learning Environment
4. Tuesday Jan 5, 7:00 – 9:00 PM - Classroom Management & Effective Teaching
5. Tuesday Feb 2, 7:00 – 9:00 PM - Leading Prayer and Loving Scripture
6. Tuesday Mar 2, 7:00 – 9:00 PM - Using Textbooks and technology

The Basic Certificate of Competence

The Diocese wishes all catechists to acquire a solid grounding in Catholic doctrine, and it therefore is providing the following 6 courses of 12 hours over a 3 year cycle:

Further information can be found at the  Diocesan Catechetical Institute web page, though full details of the new arrangements have not yet been published.

Scripture:

The Catechetical Institute – course on Scripture begins on January 14th. All sessions are on Thursday, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM in the Multi-Purpose Room

1. January 14, Understanding what the Bible is: Where Did We Get Our Bible?
2. January 21, Journeying into the Biblical World: Inspiration; Seeking the Language of God
3. February 11, Surface and Symbolic Levels of Language: What Scripture Says…and Doesn’t Say
4. March 11, Biblical Interpretation
5. March 25, Fundamentalism: The Use and Abuse of the Bible; The Challenge of Fundamentalists
6. April 15, Choosing and Using a Bible

We will be using “The Bible Blueprint: A Catholic’s Guide to Understanding and Embracing God’s Word” by Joe Paprocki, from Loyola University Press, price $10. The program is free to St. Thomas More parish catechists and school teachers, and $20 to all others.

Registration is now closed.

Registration for Catechists Formation

Safe Environment Initial Training

Participants are asked to book their places by calling or emailing MJ Krafte, at 942-6223

Safe Environment Renewal after Five years

Contact Maria Del Rosario (942-6247) for details of renewal of certification.

The Basic Certificate of Competence

Spring 2010 course – Scripture - registration is now closed.

Free for St. Thomas More parish catechists; $20.00 for others, and $10.00 for a copy of The Bible Blueprint: A Catholic's Guide to Understanding and Embracing God's Word

For more information contact Jim Hynes (942-6237)