DIOCESE OF LAKE CHARLES
DIOCESAN POLICY STATEMENT
CERTIFICATION OF CATECHISTS AND CATECHETICAL LEADERS IN PARISHES
Catechists and Catechetical Leaders in parishes should be persons of maturing faith who participate in the life of the faith community. They should be mature and competent in the following areas: personal and spiritual growth, Catholic theology, pastoral praxis, and professional practice.
• Catechists are strongly encouraged to attain certification at the rate of at least two workshops or one
credit a year as outlined in Guidelines for Certification in Appendix 303-A.
• Parish Catechetical Leaders are responsible for catechesis in parishes. “The single most critical factor in an
effective parish catechetical program is the leadership of a professionally trained Parish Catechetical
Leader. Parishes should allocate their resources so that they are able to acquire the services of a
competent and qualified Catechetical Leader (or someone in the process of becoming qualified and
competent) or to share those services with another parish” (National Directory for Catechesis 224). It is
recommended that each parish pay a just wage to its Catechetical Leader based on the following factors:
professional education, years of experience, size of program, and number of people
served.
The tasks for a Parish Catechetical Leader include working with the pastor, other ministers, and appropriate members of committees, boards or councils to plan and set up policy for the parish catechetical program. This person is responsible for designing and implementing catechetical programs for adults and children. The main responsibilities of the Parish Catechetical Leader, under the direction of the pastor, ordinarily are to:
- Direct the entire parish catechetical program, including youth and adults.
- Plan, implement, and evaluate the catechetical program.
- Select program textbooks, materials, and supplies.
- Recruit, form, develop, train, and evaluate Catechists.
- Prepare and follow an operating budget.
- Develop sacramental programs, parent meetings, and sacramental celebrations.
- Maintain permanent records.
- Implement diocesan and parish catechetical policies, including catechist
certification, supervision, and such administrative policies that relate to the safety and protection
of minors, negligence, sexual harassment, and sexual abuse. - Assist in liturgical planning as pertains to the catechetical program.
- Provide Catechists with opportunities for training and renewal at the parish level and
encourage their participation at the diocesan and regional level. - Represent the parish at diocesan sponsored functions.
- Give attention to his/her personal and spiritual, theological, pastoral, and professional
development (NDC 225).
Parish Catechetical Leaders may have more specific titles, according to their training, as listed below.
- Administrators of Religious Education (ARE) are Catechetical Leaders without training or who are
in the process of attaining certification. They are expected to work toward CRE or DRE
certification as outlined in Guidelines for Certification in Appendix 303-A. - Coordinators of Religious Education (CRE) are required to possess diocesan certification or its
equivalent as outlined in Guidelines for Certification in Appendix 303-A. - Directors of Religious Education (DRE) are required to possess a Master's Degree or Master's
Certification in religious education or pastoral studies and successful completion of the Holy Cross
College courses, Religious Education and Administration I and II.
Promulgated: April 23, 2008
Effective: July 1, 2008
+Glen John Provost
Bishop of Lake Charles
DIOCESE OF LAKE CHARLES
GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION
CATECHISTS AND CATECHETICAL LEADERS OF
PARISH CATECHECTICAL PROGRAMS
Appendix 303
Part I: Definition of Terms
To establish a common use of terms in the diocese, we offer the following definition of terms:
Catechesis - "Catechesis is that particular form of the ministry of the word which matures initial conversion to make it into a living, explicit and fruitful confession of faith" (General Catechetical Directory, GCD, paragraph 82). It aims to assist the believer in maturing his/her understanding of and faith in Jesus Christ, in fostering the believer’s love of Jesus and commitment to follow him (National Directory for Catechesis, NDC 54).
Evangelization – “The purpose of…evangelization is to bring about faith and conversion to Christ” (NDC 47). “An ardent longing to invite others to encounter Jesus is the spark that starts the evangelizing mission to which the whole Church is called….The Gospel is intended for every people and nation” (NDC 46). “Evangelization and catechesis are among the principal means by which the Church hands on the faith” (NDC 41).
Catechist – A catechist is called “to follow Jesus as a teacher of the faith and a witness to the truth of the faith” (NDC 229). The catechist, a minister of the church, helps to form and develop the faith of God’s people.
Parish Catechetical Leader (PCL) – The person who leads the parish catechetical program under the direction of the parish pastor is called the Parish Catechetical Leader. More specific titles, according to training, are listed below.
• Administrator of Religious Education (ARE) - This person would focus on the administrative and
organizational needs of a parish and may not have received any formal training when accepting this
position. It is expected an ARE will pursue training in the skills needed for the position, as explained on
page 5, number 1.
• Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE) - This person should have skills and educational background to
implement any area of the total parish religious education program under the guidance and supervision of
the priest director or other professional director. A CRE would have completed the diocesan certification
program or one comparable to it. The CRE’s role would be to coordinate the catechetical program of the
parish on a particular level or for a particular group.
• Director of Religious Education (DRE) - This person should possess skills, experience, and educational
background to assume the major responsibility for the total religious education program in the parish. The
DRE would have completed a Master’s Degree or Certification of Participation in Religious Education or
Pastoral Ministry in a university approved by the Diocese of Lake Charles and the Holy Cross College
courses, Religious Education and Administration I and II.
Part II. Certification
Certification - Certification is the process by which Catechists in parish programs and those who administer, coordinate, or direct those programs obtain or seek to obtain the minimum training necessary to catechize in the Diocese of Lake Charles. The various certifications cover the following areas: personal and spiritual growth, Catholic theology, pastoral praxis, and professional practice.
• Personal and Spiritual Growth - Catechists and Parish Catechetical Leaders should demonstrate personal
and spiritual maturity in ministry. They should be practicing Catholics who understand the Christian
message, witness to the faith, and participate in their faith communities. They also should be persons of
prayer who participate in days of prayer throughout the year. They are encouraged to make annual
retreats and seek spiritual direction for their continual spiritual growth. The Office of Religious Education
will provide opportunities for Catechetical Leaders to enhance their personal and spiritual growth. Parish
Catechetical Leaders are encouraged to provide opportunities for catechists and volunteers to grow in
these areas as well.
• Catholic Theology - Catechists and Parish Catechetical Leaders should have a Catholic understanding of
Scripture, tradition, and doctrine. With this knowledge, they should help form disciples to fulfill the mission
of the Church. Workshops and courses will be offered by the diocesan offices to deepen that theological
understanding.
• Pastoral Praxis - Catechists and Parish Catechetical Leaders are to promote evangelization, faith formation,
community, and pastoral care with all they minister. Workshops and courses will be offered by the
diocesan offices to deepen this understanding of their call to pastoral praxis.
• Professional Growth - Catechists and Parish Catechetical Leaders should demonstrate skills in pedagogy.
Parish Catechetical Leaders should develop their skills in leadership, administration, and service.
Workshops and courses will be offered by the diocesan offices to strengthen professional growth.
Catechist Certification – There are three levels of Catechist Certification, Basic, Intermediate, and Master Catechist Certification. A Catechist can simultaneously work on the different levels or just pursue one. A Catechist may skip Basic and Intermediate Catechist Certifications and work on Master Catechist Certification.
- Basic Catechist Certification - Basic Certification for Parish Catechists can be obtained through
successful completion of study approved by the diocese in the personal/spiritual, theological,
pastoral, and professional topics listed below. These requirements can be fulfilled through
combinations of approved catechetical workshops, catechetical conferences, the “Echoes of
Faith” series, or the completion of the first year of Into the Fields: Catechist and Teacher
Formation Program.
a. I Believe/We Believe I (Creed)
b. Liturgy
c. Sacraments
d. Catholic Morality I
e. Prayer and Spirituality I
f. Introduction to Scriptures
g. Introduction to Church and Ministry I
h. Getting Started as a Catechist
i. Roles of the Catechist
j. The Person of the Catechist
k. Introduction to the Learner
l. Methods for Various Grade Levels
2. Intermediate Catechist Certification - This certification can be obtained through successful
completion of study approved by the diocese in the personal/spiritual, theological, pastoral, and
professional topics listed below. These requirements can be fulfilled through combinations of
approved catechetical workshops, catechetical conferences, the “Echoes of Faith” series, or the
completion of the Into the Fields: Catechist and Teacher Formation Program. The elective
requirements can be fulfilled through parish, diocesan, regional, or national sessions in the
related fields, such as New and/or Old Testament, Christology, Church Teachings, Confirmation,
and Youth Ministry. The Parish Catechetical Leader is to observe and evaluate the Catechist
demonstrating a successfully presented lesson at the conclusion of all study.
a. I Believe/We Believe II (Creed)
b. Catholic Morality II
c. Prayer and Spirituality II
d. Introduction to Church and Ministry II
e. What Does the Church Say About Catechesis?
f. Our Call to Service: Social Justice
g. Assertive Discipline in Catechesis
h. The Use of the Diocesan Curriculum Guide
i . Assessment in Religious Education
k. Two Electives
l. Observation and Evaluation
3. Master Catechist Certification - A Catechist can obtain this certification through successful
completion of college study, approved by the diocese, in the personal/spiritual, theological,
pastoral, and professional areas listed below, as well as by demonstration of successful
teaching. A Catechist may obtain Master Catechist Certification without going through Basic
and Intermediate Certification.
a. ^Adolescent Faith Development
b. A Survey of Christian Scriptures
c. A Survey of Hebrew Scriptures
d. Catechetics and Curriculum
e. Catholic Moral Teachings on Peace and Justice
f. +Catholic Moral Teachings on Sexuality
g. ^Childhood Faith Development
h. Collegial Ministry in a Collegial Church
i. Nature and History of Western Spirituality
j. +Survey of Catholic Morality
k. Basic Teachings of the Catholic Church I
l. Basic Teachings of the Catholic Church II
m. Sacraments and Sacramentality
n. #Observation and Evaluation (on site)
^ Either Childhood or Adolescent Faith Development must be taken.
+ These courses are required for certification to teach Catholic Sexuality.
# The Parish Catechetical Leader must observe, evaluate, and document the catechist demonstrating a
successfully presented lesson at the conclusion of all study.
Documentation of Work Toward Catechist Certification - Record of all workshops taken for Catechist Certification should be kept by the Parish Catechetical Leader. When a Catechist completes all of the training for Basic and/or Intermediate Certification, the Parish Catechetical Leader is to provide the Office of Religious Education with the Catechist’s certification profile verifying the requirements are complete. Record of course work taken for Certification as a Master Catechist will be kept in the diocesan office. The Office of Religious Education is responsible for providing a certificate of completion and some type of celebration for those who finish the various levels of certification.
Parish Catechetical Leader – There are three levels of Parish Catechetical Leader: Administrator, Coordinator, or Director of Religious Education. A PCL can obtain certification as a CRE or a DRE through successful completion of professional study approved by the diocese in the personal/spiritual, theological, pastoral, and professional areas listed below.
- Administrator of Religious Education (ARE) Training – An ARE should begin his/her training with
attending catechetical conferences and catechist workshops during the first year. In the second
and following years it is recommended the ARE take courses through Holy Cross College, listed under
CRE certification, with putting a priority on taking Religious Education and Administration I and II,
Catechetics and Curriculum, and Sacramental Theology courses. The ARE is encouraged to continue
with annual attendance at conferences and workshops within the parish, diocese, and region.
2. Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE) Certification – A CRE can obtain certification through
successful completion of the Holy Cross courses listed below.
a. ^Adolescent Faith Development
b. A Survey of Christian Scriptures
c. A Survey of Hebrew Scriptures
d. Catechetics and Curriculum
e. Catholic Moral Teachings on Peace and Justice
f. +Catholic Moral Teachings on Sexuality
g. ^Childhood Faith Development
h. Church History I
i. Church History II
k. Collegial Ministry in a Collegial Church
1. Introduction to Christology
m. Liturgy
n. Nature and History of Western Spirituality
o. +Survey of Catholic Morality
p. Basic Teachings of the Catholic Church I
q. Basic Teachings of the Catholic Church II
r. Religious Education and Administration I
s. Religious Education and Administration II
t. Sacraments and Sacramentality
^ Either Childhood or Adolescent Faith Development must be taken.
+ These courses are required for certification to teach Catholic sexuality.
3. Director of Religious Education (DRE) Certification – A DRE can obtain certification through a Master’s
Degree or Certification of Participation in Religious Education or Pastoral Ministry from a university
approved by the Diocese of Lake Charles and by completing the Holy Cross College courses: Religious
Education and Administration I and II.
Catholic Sexuality Certification – Catechists and Parish Catechetical Leaders in parish programs who are responsible for teaching Catholic moral teachings on sexuality must be certified through the diocesan Christian sexuality program.
Continuing Education – Parish Directors and Coordinators of Religious Education shall maintain their certification by obtaining thirty clock hours in religious education course work or workshops every five years of employment. All are highly encouraged to continue their own spiritual and skill development through retreats, workshops, and conferences.
Promulgated: April 23, 2008
Effective: July 1, 2008
+Glen John Provost
Bishop of Lake Charles