What is the policy of the Diocese of Rochester regarding catechist formation?

The Diocese expects all catechists to either be engaged in catechist formation at the appropriate level or to have completed master catechist formation. Those catechists who have completed master catechist formation are required to update their formation by completing ten hours of formation every two years.

Who is a catechist?

A catechist is any person engaged in leading or teaching formal religious education. Catechists include volunteer religious education and family education teachers and facilitators, Catholic School teachers, teachers in sacramental or adult education programs or processes.

What are the levels of formation?

The first level of formation is the commissioned catechist. This level is an introduction to the ministry of the catechist and to the resources available to support the catechist. The foundational level includes two-hour modules to introduce catechetical and theological concepts and principles. It is 24-30 hours of training, tailored to the needs of particular catechists (e.g., catechists of school aged children undergo a module on prayer with children). The master catechist level includes 23 modules in 6 theme areas.

What happens when a catechist is fully formed, i.e., has finished formation at the master level?

All catechists who have completed master formation are required to pursue additional spiritual and theological formation. The Department of Evangelization and Catechesis mandates ten hours of formation every two years. This can be accomplished through our DVD programming, adult faith formation sessions, courses at St. Bernard’s, and more.

You should always consult with your catechetical leadership in seeking additional relevant topics for continuing formation. You catechetical leadership can verify if such formation is relevant by contacting the Department of Evangelization and Catechesis.

Who keeps the records?

For Catholic schoolteachers, principals keep records. For volunteer catechists, catechetical leaders/youth ministers keep the records. Also, a copy of the worksheet is given to the catechist/teacher for their personal file.

Will I get a certificate?

The diocese at the completion of the foundational and master levels grants certificates. The diocese will issue these certificates when we receive notification from the catechetical leader/school principal.

What if a catechist already has some background?

For both the foundational and master level, self-assessment tools measure your background and competency in all the content areas. Catechists can complete this tool and review it with their catechetical leader/principal to determine which areas catechists have sufficient formation and in which areas they may need more education.

Is there "grandfathering" for those who have served as catechists for many years?

The diocese is recommending automatic formation at the foundational level any Catholic school teacher or volunteer catechists who has:

• Taught for five years
• Honored the current requirement of ten hours of ongoing education in religion very two years.

The diocese is recommending automatically certifying at the master level any Catholic schoolteacher or volunteer catechist who has:

• Taught for ten years
• Honored the current requirement of ten hours of ongoing education every two years.

The decision rests with the local principal or catechetical leader in consultation with the Department of Evangelization and Catechesis. Catechetical leadership would then apply for certificates for these people.

The diocese recommends the administration of the self-assessment tools even when grandfathering catechists to identify areas where they may need more formation. In those cases, regular catechist formation modules could count toward the ten-hour requirement.

Can parishes/regions/schools sponsor catechist formation courses?

Yes! Parishes, regions, and schools can sponsor catechist formation sessions using the prescribed curriculum. Regional Catechetical networks are encouraged to sponsor courses regularly. Individual parishes and schools may also want to schedule sessions and open registration to others. The “Alive in Christ” curriculum is available from every school principal and from parish catechetical leaders.

What will it cost?

For diocesan sponsored courses, a nominal fee to cover administration will be charged. For courses sponsored by parishes, regions, associations, etc. the fee will be determined by the sponsoring group.

How can I register?

For diocesan sponsored courses, there will be publicity announcing any offering. This publicity may be distributed. Registrations for diocesan sponsored courses will be through the diocesan office.

For other courses, registration will be through a contact person at the local level. Contacts name and telephone number will be listed in the diocesan calendar of catechist formation opportunities.

Is there an alternative to workshop sessions?

At the foundational level, every course except Discovering My Awareness of God includes an alternative method for completion: a video, a book, or an adult reflection guide. At the master level, the DVD catechist formation series provides a framework for quality catechist formation.