Office of Catechesis
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As of July 1, 2012, the Office of Catechesis is returning to a model formerly used in Catholic Education Ministries, which was replaced by Parish Life and Faith Formation in 2006.
The director supervises coordinators in Children’s Catechesis; Youth and Young Adult Catechesis; and Adult and Family Catechesis; and is also responsible for pastoral planning, council development, leadership training, resources and consultation. The coordinators are responsible for sacramental preparation, resources, consultation, policies and guidelines for programs related to their age groups. Other responsibilities of the respective Catechesis coordinators include: |
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Children’s Catechesis:
Sacramental preparation, specifically for first Communion and confession; catechist formation and certification; and curriculum.
Youth and Young Adult Catechesis:
Sacramental preparation, specifically for confirmation and RCIA; youth and young adult minister formation and certification; the Idaho Catholic Youth Convention; and campus ministry.
Adult and Family Catechesis:
Sacramental preparation; adult faith formation, including virtual programs; small faith communities, formation and support; and marriage and family life, which includes serving as a liaison with non-diocesan programs such as Engaged Encounter, Marriage Encounter, Cursillo and Natural Family Planning.
Larger events, such as Fall Conference, are the responsibility of the entire department.
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Catechist Certification and Ongoing Formation
The Office of Catechesis is working on a transition to upgrade the catechist certification process in order to meet the National Standards of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). (To read the National Standards go to www.lemcertification.org.) By following these National Standards, we have developed a 4-level Catechetical Certification process that closely resembles other diocesan certification requirements. Those who fulfill our four-year certification process will be eligible to apply for a National Certificate approved by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Commission on Certification and Accreditation (USCCB/CCA). If you have a question about Catechist Certification and/or On-going formation please contact Sr Chela Gonzalez.
For an overview of these four levels, click Catechist Certification Process.
The Program Prospectus Form is designed to help the Office of Catechesis tract and approve classes for Certification. The form should be completed by the person who will be facilitating the class and submitted to the Office of Catechesis 3 weeks prior to the start of class. The facilitator of the class will receive a letter approving the class and detailing the number of allowable Certification Hours. The Facilitator will also receive Records of Participation and instructions for their use after the class is approved for Certification. If you have questions regarding the Program Prospectus Form, please contact Marcy Fessler at MFessler@RCDB.org.
For questions about Catechist Certification or Renewal, and Ongoing-Formation, please contact Sr. Chela Gonzalez at (208) 350-5140 or at CGonzalez@RCDB.org
Reports
In order to help the Office of Catechesis better serve the Catholic Church of Idaho we are in need of updated information concerning catechetical programs from Pre-School through High School. Here are two reports which will help us to better understand the parishes, chapels, and stations of our Diocese.
The first report is called the “Catechesis Report”. This report is designed to provide the Office of Catechesis accurate figures regarding enrollment in programs, textbooks and resources being used, programming information, and sacramental data. The Catechesis Report may seem overwhelming but the data will help us to better understand and track the catechetical programs of the Diocese. Additionally, this information is reported to our Province and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Click here for the Catechesis Report.
The second report is called the “Catechist Report”. The purpose of this report is to provide information regarding the staff and volunteers who are forming our children and youth. Please be sure to include yourself and any administrative assistants as this report is completed. The data received in this report will help the Office of Catechesis maintain an accurate data base of catechetical personnel in the Diocese of Boise. Click here for the Catechist Report.
Please complete both reports and return to the Office of Catechesis by February 1, 2013.
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Catechist Formation
The Office of Catechesis is researching and developing other formation opportunities.
Currently, the Office of Catechesis has purchased the new Webinar Series from Center for Ministry Development (CMD).
Here is a list of the dates and topics (all are at 12:00 NOON Mountain time / 11:00 AM Pacific time):
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February 12: Planning Retreats that Transform Lives
March 6: Lifelong Faith Formation Across the Four Settings
April 4: Teaching for Discipleship
May 15: Emerging Models for Connecting with 21st Century Families
June 5: Collaboration Among Parish Ministries | |
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Descriptions of the webinars can be found at www.cmdnet.org.
Each deanery has one host person who receives the Webinar connection info.
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Northern
North Central
Western/West Central
Southern
Eastern
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Jenn Jenson, St. George, Post Falls
JennJenson777@gmail.com
(208) 773-4715
Marie Becker, St. Mary, Moscow
MoscowYouth@yahoo.com
(208) 882-8001
Chris Kreslins, Diocesan Office, Boise
CKreslins@RCDB.org
(208) 350-7547
Katie Stroschein, St. Jerome, Jerome
StJeromeKS@cableone.net
(208) 731-0857
Ken White, Bld. JP II, Idaho Falls
KWhite2012@cableone.net
(208) 524-4366 |
Please contact Chris Kreslins CKreslins@RCDB.org or (208) 350-7547 for more information.
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Articles on all aspects of the
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
(RCIA) process
Published three times a year www.NAForum.org
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Spring (May)
Fall (September)
Winter (November) |
from the North American Forum on the Catechumenate
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Links
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