Elementary Specialization

The catechist specialization for Elementary and Junior High is a sixty hour course designed to prepare parish catechist for effective teaching. It is divided into two modules of  twelve  2  ½  hour sessions each. Participation in the Annual Catechetical Congress or Ministry Celebration Day and participation in a Retreat Day is a  required component. Candidates for the Catechist Certificate from the California Catholic Conference  are also expected to complete the Basic Core Courses in the School of Ministry.

The specialization has five goals:

1.         Affirm the catechists in their ministry and enable them to renew their commitment to be ministers of the Word as they discover they baptismal call anew.
2.         Explore the realities of the child's and adolescent's world and learn ways to help their students to discover God's presence in all the experiences of their lives.
3.         Develop skills for sharing the wisdom of the Scriptures and the Tradition of the Catholic faith with children and for helping them integrate that wisdom into their daily life.
4.         Become familiar with the principal Catechetical Documents, such as Catechesis for our Times, The Catechism of the Catholic Church, The General Directory for Catechesis, The National Directory for Catechesis and other documents issued by the Unites States Conference of Catholic Bishops
5.         To build-up and expand their Christian Community as they net-work with other parish catechists, share resources and collaborate with each other in creating a common diocesan vision for catechetical ministry.

Last Update June 4, 2004