| Parish
Directors of Religious Education (DRE's) / Coordinators
Specialization
The
DRE specialization provides the basic skills and the theological competencies
set by the National Conference of Catechetical Leadership in its Certification
Standards for Professional Parish Directors of Religious Education. This specialization
is divided into two courses: course I, focusing on specific skills needed
for this ministry and course II, with the focus on theology. Each 40-hour
course consists of nine topic and a Retreat Day. Participants are expected
to complete the pre-assigned readings before each session, the homework assignment
and prepare a topic for a class presentation. There is an on-site observation
and an evaluation at the end of each course. Candidates are expected to participate in the Diocesan
Annual Religious Education Conference and to complete the Basic Core Courses
offered by the Diocesan School of Ministry before full certification is granted.
Overall Goals and Objectives
Goal 1. To ground
the ministry of the DRE in the vision of the Second Vatican
Council.
Objectives:
The participants will be able:
- To articulate the role of the DRE/Coordinator
in parish ministry, in light of the Second Vatican Council
documents, the General Directory for Catechesis and the
National Catechetical Directory.
- To develop a mission statement for parish
catechesis.
Goal 2. To provide the practical
skills needed for success in religious education ministry.
Objectives:
The participants will be able:
- To develop a plan of recruitment, training,
supervision and retention of volunteer catechists and coordinators.
- To demonstrate professional administrative
skills, including the use of media and technology.
Goal 3.
To introduce/develop a foundational theological framework for catechetical
ministry.
Objectives:
The participants will be able:
- To develop and evaluate a Parish catechetical
ministry based on the General Directory for Catechesis,
the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the National Catechetical
Directory and other Catechetical documents pertaining to
the United States.
- To design a program for un-going formation
for parents, other significant adults and volunteer catechists.
Goal 4. To encourage a network
of support for those in the formation process.
Objective:
The participants will develop contact with other
professional individuals and organizations for support, assistance
and resources.
THE EFFECTIVE DRE, PART I: Skills Development
SKL 1: Building Community
Examines how to build community among parish staff, volunteer
catechists, students, and parents. The author draws on years
of experience as a DRE and parish administrator, using solid
principles of theology and psychology
SKL 2: Catechizing for a Just World
Rich in personal and group reflective activities on
issues of justice and peace, this booklet integrates the principles
of Catholic social teaching into the curriculum and very life
of students, parents, and the parish community. Abundant
resources listed.
SKL 3: Communicating Effectively
How should a DRE talk with an irate parent, a discouraged
volunteer, an aloof staff member, a parish council, or a room
full of disinterested people? The author offers practical
tips and examples gleaned from years of experience.
SKL 4: Developing a Parish Program
New DRE’s will find this step-by-step process to
develop a parish catechetical program especially useful.
Also shows how existing programs might be adapted.
SKL 5: Forming Ministerial Relationships
A practical exploration of the partnerships the DRE
needs to develop and maintain with the diocesan office, the
local DRE organization, the pastor and other parish staff
personnel, organizations, and the larger community.
SKL 6: Keeping Records and Budgets
Explains the tasks of maintaining records, managing
budgets, and dealing with the legal issues involved in catechetical
ministry. Eminently practical, the sample forms included
can be adapted for use in any parish.
SKL 7: Maintaining Professional Balance
To counter burnout, this booklet examines how to balance
the spiritual, psychological, social, professional, and physical
demands of the DRE ministry. Full of wonderful insights and
common sense.
SKL 8: Recruiting and Training Volunteer
Introducing innovative concepts solidly based on fundamental
principles, this booklet is a short course on how to contact,
recruit, train, support, reward (and even dismiss) the volunteer
catechist.
SKL 9: Understanding Catechesis
A concise treatment of the overall history and development
of catechetical theory and practice from the early Church
to today. An excellent overview for those in leadership positions
and a great refresher course for busy DREs.
THE EFFECTIVE DRE, PART II: Theological
Component
THL 1: The Church as Communion and Mission:
Ecclesiology
We are called as Church to be the community of Jesus’
disciples, sharing our gifts in service to one another and
the world. This booklet explores the structure of the Christian
community and its mission to transform the world in the light
of the Gospel.
THL 2: Companions on the Journey: Mary
and the Saints
Catechetical leaders and DREs will treasure this resource,
which provides an outline of the origins of the devotions
to Mary and the saints, the way in which saints are proclaimed
today, and the place apparitions of Mary have in the context
of the Church.
THL 3: Connecting Faith and Life: Theological
Reflection
This booklet offers an understanding of theological reflection
as a method and a model of looking deeply into life experiences
so as to begin the search for wholeness. The booklet also
illustrates how DREs or catechetical leaders may use theological
reflection in their own spiritual development and how to facilitate
the process with others.
THL 4: Faith Handed On: Church History
Beginning with the apostles through modern times,
this invaluable resource presents the history of the Church
not as an abstract set of events but as an integral part of
our personal “stories” as believers in Christ.
THL 5: In the Breath of God: Christian
Morality
This booklet investigates the meaning and “look” of
the Christian moral life and explores some of its themes and
dimensions. Readers are invited to reflect on their own experience
as Christian moral persons.
THL 6: Means of Grace, Ways of Life:
Sacramental Theology
The meaning of the sacraments as experienced in liturgical
celebration, the function of grace, the power of sacramental
words and symbols, an examination of the theology behind each
sacrament—these are the nuggets of wisdom presented to the
reader in this engaging booklet.
THL 7: Nourished by the Word: Scripture
Is the Bible a book with many chapters or is it more
like a library with many books? Using a contextualist approach
to Scripture study, this booklet teaches readers the Catholic
approach to reading the Bible and how to understand the revelation
that Scripture contains.
THL 8: That All May Be One: Ecumenism
This booklet introduces the DRE to the challenging
and rewarding task of assisting parishes and catechists in
their efforts to build unity among Christians. The message
that Christians have more that unites them than divides them
is strongly reinforced.
THL 9: True God, True Man: Christology
Examining faith, reasoning, and history as they bear
on the question “Who is this Jesus?” this resource enables
readers to come to a clearer knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Last Update June 4, 2004
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