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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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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:

  1. To develop a plan of recruitment, training, supervision and retention of volunteer catechists and coordinators.
  2. 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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

 
 
©2002 The Diocese of Stockton. All rights reserved. Design by Eric Stoltz

 


 

 

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