Catechist Formation Program

After completing the required Level One courses, the catechist achieves Level One certification by participating in a self-assessment process and an observation/evaluation while teaching a catechetical session. The catechist must serve in the parish catechetical ministry for one year before being eligible for certification.

Self Assessment Process

This Catechist Formation Review is based on information presented in the Spirituality and Theology sessions of the Level One Catechist Formation Program. This instrument provides you with an opportunity to review that information, to check your knowledge, and if necessary, to clarify your understanding of a particular point.  As a requirement for Level One certification, you will be asked to print (for your own records) the Review Results and fill out a feedback form.

Make sure that you disable any pop-up stoppers before you begin.  There are 104 multiple choice and true/false questions in this review with no time limit.  The review averages about 50 minutes to take, although, depending on your speed, your time may vary.  To take the review, login to ArchNYLAB and choose “Catechist Formation Level One Review” from the Catalog.  Information on logging in or creating an account on ArchNYLAB.

En Espanol:

• Revisión de los Conocimientos
• Respuestas
• Clave de Respuestas
• Reacción

If you need a hard copy of the Catechist Formation Review, please call the regional catechetical director in your area.

By completing the Level Two courses, the catechist achieves Level Two certification.

Required:

• PRAYER AND SPIRITUALITY: Call to be a Catechist; Faith and Discipleship; Christian Prayer
• METHODOLOGY: Planning a Lesson; Learning Environment; Understanding the Student; Media and Values; Guidelines and Culture.
• THE PROFESSION OF FAITH: God and Revelation; Jesus the Fullness of Revelation; Church, the Christian Community; Introduction to Scripture.
• CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN MYSTERIES: Sacraments of Christian Initiation; Liturgy and Eucharist; Sacraments at the Service of Communion; Sacraments of Healing
• LIFE IN CHRIST:  The Human Person: in the Image of God; The Human Community; Law, Grace and the Common Good; Love the Lord Your God:  Commandments 1 -3; Love Your Neighbor: Commandments 4 – 10.

Required:

• INTRODUCTION TO THE OLD TESTAMENT: presents the Catholic understanding of Divine Revelation history of the Jewish people, the Pentateuch, and its sources, the composition and purpose of the Historical Books, the literary books, the Prophets, the Wisdom Literature, the Psalms and biblical literary genres.
• INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW TESTAMENT: presents a review of the books of the New   Testament, the development of the Canon, an introduction to the Four Gospels, the content, interpretation and liturgical use of the Gospel accounts, the composition and purpose of the Acts of the Apostles, Epistles and the Book of Revelation.

Elective Courses (choose three): 

• PRAYER AND WORSHIP: presents the nature, source, and expressions of Catholic Christian prayer, the liturgical celebration of the Eucharist and the other sacraments, sacramentals, devotions, liturgical ministries and liturgical planning.
• MULTI-CULTURAL CATECHESIS: presents the relationship between culture, society and Church, the history of the relationship of Christianity to culture, the introduction of the Gospel into culture, and the importance of adapting catechesis to the diverse ethnicities in the parish community.
• SPECIAL RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: presents the rationale and need for Special Religious Education, the skills of the effective special religious education catechist, an overview of emotional, behavioral, developmental and physical challenges requiring special education.
• CATHOLIC MORAL PRINCIPLES AND CONTEMPORARY ISSUES: presents a review of basic Catholic moral principles, Catholic teaching on the nature of human sexuality, bioethics, and life issues.
• THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD: presents an overview of the nature, mission, and history of the Catholic Church, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium), and the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (Gaudium ET Spes).
• CHRISTOLOGY: presents the Church’s understanding of the person and nature of Jesus Christ based on the New Testament, the early Church Fathers, and Councils.
• UNDERSTANDING THE APOSTLES’ CREED: course examines the Apostle’s creed as presented in the new Catechism of the Catholic Church.
• THE SOCIAL MISSION OF THE CHURCH: presents the history, biblical roots, and seven main principles of Catholic social teaching.

Certification must be renewed after  five years. 

Requirements for Renewal of Certification 

• 30 class hours in catechesis, youth ministry, or theology over 5 years; attendance at the Youth Faith Formation Forum can provide up to 4 hours a year. 

• Yearly attendance at a minimum of one spiritual renewal opportunity provided either by the Department of Youth Faith Formation or a Regional Office; this day/evening or prayer is for the purpose of providing a forum for spiritual sharing among Catechetical Leaders. 
• Yearly attendance at a minimum of one professional formation seminar/workshop sponsored by the Department of Youth Faith Formation.  These seminars and workshops can be found listed in Basic Training and in Certification Events. 
• Recommendation by D/CRE or Youth Ministry Coordinator 
• Approval for certification by the Director of Ministry Formation. 

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Bertha Peralta-Rodriguez / Mr. Joe Long