Emmaus Conference

October 17 and 18, St. Paul, New Bern NC.

This annual adult conference sponsored by the Division of Evangelization and Catechesis is intended for parish catechetical leaders, catechists, youth ministers, priests, liturgical ministers, young adults, school teachers, anyone and everyone involved in passing on the faith, seeking spiritual renewal and companionship. This years theme is: The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church / La palabra de Dios en la vida y mision de la iglesia. Download full brochure.

Into the Fields

Catechist Formation Program

Into the Fields is a comprehensive and systematic program of faith formation primarily for catechists and Catholic teachers, but all adults are welcome to participate. It is rooted in Scripture, liturgy, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church and based on both the General Directory for Catechesis and the National Directory for Catechesis. The complete program encompasses three units, which we plan to cover over three years.

There are ten sessions in each year of this program. Each session blends spiritual formation with theological content, and catechetical skills, attitudes and ‘tools for teaching’. Each one provides a comprehensive means for learning and acquiring knowledge and skills for catechetical ministry.

Spiritual Exercises for Teachers & Catechists

Each of the ten sessions begins with the “Spiritual Exercises.” These profound experiences, drawn from the teachings of St. Ignatius Loyola, combine prayer, meditation, and reflection. The purpose of these Exercises is to nourish your soul and feed the hunger within each of us to know God more fully, to help you as a teacher or catechist know how to lead your learners to deeper spirituality, and to help you become a “friend of Jesus” so you can share that friendship with your learners.

Growing Faith – Content and Knowledge

Next comes “Theological Content,” an essential ingredient for catechist and teacher formation. The ten sessions use appropriate booklets from the Growing Faith Project, a comprehensive and systematic presentation of the faith based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. By following the complete, three-year program of Into the Fields, you will obtain a thorough review of our Catholic faith.

Tools for Teaching

“Tools for Teaching” is the formal teaching section, providing the connecting link between spiritual growth, the content of the faith, and the instructional strategies needed to do excellent catechesis. Here you will learn more than two dozen practical skills that work in real teaching situations. You will gain the essential background needed to be formed as a Catholic teacher or catechist.

Loyola University CEUs

Loyola University New Orleans, one of 28 Jesuit universities in the United States, offers continuing education units (CEU) for Into the Fields participants. The award of CEUs for completion of one or more years of the Into the Fields program is a level of recognition and credentials that provides documentation of the completion of a program of studies which can lead to Diocesan certification.

Into the Fields at St. Thomas More

Year 2 of Into the Fields will be offered at St. Thomas More beginning in October. Each session will be offered twice, on Tuesday evenings (6:00-9:00pm) or Saturday mornings (9:30am-12:30pm). Participants may complete the ten sessions by attending all Tuesdays or all Saturdays (recommended), or if necessary a combination of both. 

First Sessions:

Second Sessions:  

There will be additional opportunities for make-up sessions at neighboring parishes that are offering Into the Fields training.

Each participant will receive a learning manual, related Growing Faith booklets, and a subscription to Religion Teachers Journal. The course fee for the ten sessions of Into the Fields - Year Two is $25. 

For more information see the Into The Fields web site.

All catechists are invited to attend session one on a trial basis before deciding to enroll in the program.

To enrol, please use the on-line registration form. For more information, please call Jim Hynes at 942-6237.