Passport to
Success: A Seminar for Catechetical Leaders
In 1996 the New England
Conference of Diocesan Directors of Religious Education (NECDDRE)
assigned their Catechetical Leadership Committee the task of
researching ways to assist dioceses to prepare their
catechetical leaders for roles in parish ministry. New
personnel were often coming to the position without degrees in
religious education or related fields. While the aim still
remains to require an appropriate degree, diocesan leaders
recognized the need to help new personnel not only become aware
of the necessity for further education but to also provide entry
level skills to help them in the interim.
The initial seminar was
introduced in Vermont in June of 1997. As subsequent
seminars took place and evaluations were reviewed there surfaced
a need for a follow-up seminar. In August 2000 the
Seminar for Catechetical Leaders-Part II was introduced.
The repeated requests from Part One participants was for more
theology. Recognizing this as essential, the committee
focused its attention on the basics a catechetical leader needs
to know about our faith and suggestions on how to share this
information with their catechists.
Part One ant Part Two of
the seminars are primarily overnight experiences. Based on
The Effective DRE-A Skills Development published by
Loyola
Press, Part Three consists of a series of nine workshops
implemented by individual dioceses. Although some topics
are introduced in the Seminar for Catechetical
Leaders-Part One, Part Three builds and expands on the
topics. Part Three is also developed for not only new
personnel but for the experienced catechetical leader as an
opportunity for ongoing formation.
For more information about
these programs, please contact your
Diocesan Director.
Passport to
Success
Part One:
Preparing for the Journey
This seminar is designed for new or new parish catechetical
leaders: directors of religious education, coordinators of
religious education, sacramental coordinators, etc.
Its purpose is to...
- Identify gifts and
qualities.
- Clarify scope of
responsibilities.
- Provide an
opportunity to increase knowledge and reinforce skills in
areas such as: management/administration,
communication/relationships, curriculum implementation,
recruitment/training of catechists.
- Assist participants
in designing a learning plan that will help them to meet
diocesan qualifications for catechetical leadership.
The format is a four-hour
evening session 5-9 PM followed by a day session from 8.00 AM to
4:oo PM.
Registration
- Complete the
registration form.
- The fee of $135
includes all program costs, 3 meals, snacks and overnight
accommodations.
- Payment in full is
expected at time of registration. Cancellations received up
to one week before the seminar will be fully refunded.
Cancellations received within one of of the seminar may be
transferred to the next seminar.
- Make check payable to
NECDDRE.
Mail completed form and
check to:
Olive
S. Greene
604 West Taft Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Approximately 2 weeks
before the seminar, a complete schedule, directions and a
"Catechetical Leader Profile" will be sent to you.
Registrations will be accepted on a first come, first served
basis.
For more information,
contact your diocesan office or call Olive S. Green
(203-366-1387). You can also email us at
passport@necddre.org
Passport to
Success
Part Two:
Embarking on the Journey
All participants of Part One are invited to participate in Part
Two. Part Two Focuses on the Call To Discipleship, and
the Role of the Catechetical Leader in Evangelization and the
Role of the Catechetical Leader in Prayer and Workship.
The format is an overnight
experience beginning at 3:00 pm on the first day and cluding at
4:30 pm on the second day. This an intense learning
experience with time built into the process for small group
sharing and networking.
Registration
- Complete the
registration form.
- The fee of $135
includes all program costs, 3 meals, snacks and overnight
accommodations.
- Payment in full is
expected at time of registration. Cancellations received up
to one week before the seminar will be fully refunded.
Cancellations received within one of of the seminar may be
transferred to the next seminar.
- Make check payable to
NECDDRE.
Mail completed form and
check to:
Olive
S. Greene
604 West Taft Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Approximately 2 weeks
before the seminar, a complete schedule, directions and a
"Catechetical Leader Profile" will be sent to you.
Registrations will be accepted on a first come, first served
basis.
For more information,
contact your diocesan office or call Olive S. Green
(203-366-1387). You can also email us at
passport@necddre.org
Passport to
Success
Part Three:
Ports of Call
Part Three
consists of a series of nine workshops based on The Effective
DRE - A Skills Development Series published by Loyola Press.
Although a sequel to Part
One and Part Two, the Seminar for Catechetical Leaders– Part
Three is opened to all catechetical leaders. For the experienced
leader it offers an opportunity for on-going formation.
Topics include:
- Understanding
Catechesis
- Building Community
- Catechizing for a
Just world
- Communicating
Effectively
- Forming Ministerial
Relationships
- Developing a parish
Program
- Maintaining
profession Balance
Part Three is designed as
a 3-5 hour session. Each session includes presentation of the
topic, practical exercises, suggested readings and follow-up
reflections. Dioceses are encouraged to select and schedule
modules as needed for their catechetical leaders.
Passport to
Success
Part Four:
Extending your Journey
Part four is still
in the preparation stages topics we expect to cover will be
based on The Effective DRE: A Theology Series published
by Loyola Press.
Topics included:
- Companions on the
Journey: Mary and the Saints
- The Church as
communion and mission: Ecclesiology
- That All may Be One:
Ecumenism
- Means of grace, Ways
of Life: Sacramental Theology
- Nourished by the
Word: Scripture
- Connecting Faith and
Life: Theological Reflection
- In the breath of God:
Christian Morality
- True God True man:
Christology
- Faith Handed On:
Church History
