Catechetical Leadership Training Course (formerly Basic Training Program)
Basic Leadership Training Course
For all Directors and Coordinators of Religious Education
New to the Archdiocese
- This Course is required and must be completed within a 2-year period.
- It consists in 10 sessions offered alternatively: Fridays in Maryknoll and Saturdays at St. Theresa of Infant Jesus Parish, East Bronx. Two sessions will also be offered on Saturdays at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Middletown.
- In preparation for each session read specified sections of the Handbook as indicated below.
- All experienced Directors and Coordinators of Religious Education can attend individual sessions for updating.
- For certified Directors/Coordinators, each session can satisfy a requirement for renewal of certification.
- The fee for entire course is $ 350; if you must pay per session the cost is $ 40 per session.
- If you have not registered for the entire Basic Training Course and wish to take individual sessions, you may e-mail Sr.Teresita.Morse@archny.org. No registrations will be taken over the telephone.
- To each session, bring your red Archdiocesan Handbook and a bag lunch/supper.
At entry level:
• the Director of Religious Education has a Masters Degree in religious studies, theology or a related field from an Institution recognized by the Archdiocese of New York. For Directors without courses in educational methodology, the Catechist Formation courses in methodology are required.
• the Coordinator of Religious Education must be certified through the Catechist Formation Program, Levels I and II.
The 10 sessions in the Basic Leadership Training Course are:
Orientation to Catechetical Mission & Office
Overview of Catechetical Mission: Total Parish Catechesis
Job Descriptions of Catechetical Leaders
Presentation of Archdiocesan Handbook for Parish Catechetical Leaders
Professional Practice
Archdiocesan Handbook: Legal Section
Catechetical Office Files
Personnel Issues including Compensation Guidelines
Budget Management
Developing and Managing the Crisis Management Plan required for the Parish Religious Education Workshop
Preparatory Reading from Handbook:
Profiles of Catechetical Leaders:
page Pro-15 for Directors & Pro-31 for Coordinators
Personnel Guidelines: pages P-3; P-15 to P-37
Administration (job description section): A-17 to A-23
Entire Parish Handbook Section H-1 to H-42
Family Catechesis
Essential training in Family Catechesis according to the Archdiocesan Family
Catechesis mandate.
Relationship with Catechist
Vocation to the Ministry of the Catechist
Mandate of Church and New York Bishops
Catechist Formation Program
Recruiting, Interviewing, Selecting Catechetical Personnel
Personnel Management
Regular Supervision of Catechist
Building Faith Community
Preparatory Reading from Handbook:
Profiles of Catechetical Leaders
For Directors: pages Pro-10 & for Coordinators Pro-26;
Developmental Chart: pages DC-7 to DC- 8
Catechist in Third Millenium, page 4
Administration (job description section):
pages A-3 bottom; A-11 to A-12; A-14 top
Catechist Formation: entire section (CF 1 to 22)
Personnel Guidelines: pages P-39 to 56
Catechesis for Sacraments
First Penance and First Communion:
Essential Elements of Programs
Texts and Curriculum Materials
Preparation: Liturgy, Parent Component, Role of Clergy
Introduction to RCIA and Catechumenate for Children and Teens
Confirmation: Theology and Practice
Preparatory Reading from Handbook:
Profiles of Catechetical Leaders:
For Directors: pages Pro-13 # 3
For Coordinators: pages Pro-29 # 3
Developmental Chart: pages DC-13 # 3
Entire Sacrament Programs section: pages A-33 to A-46
Catechetical Program Development II
Pre-school Catechesis & Catechesis of Good Shepherd
Adolescent Catechesis:
Adolescent development as it impacts the young person's learning
Textbooks & Curriculum Materials for Adolescents
Archdiocesan Guidelines for Catechesis
Organization and Implementation of an effective Confirmation Program
Teaching Sexual Morality to Adolescents
Preparatory Reading from Handbook
Archdiocesan Guidelines for Catechesis for Junior High
Profiles of Catechetical Leaders:
For Directors: pages Pro-11; Pro 12# 2; Pro-14 # 6
For Coordinators: pages Pro-27: Pro 28 # 2; Pro 30 # 6
Developmental Chart: pages DC-9 to DC-10
Catechetical Program Development 1
Catechesis for Students with Special Needs
Explanation of the Needs: Developmental,
Learning, Behavioral, Physical, Autistic
Effective Catechetical Methods
Sacramental Catechesis
Working with Families
Textbooks & Curriculum Materials: Elementary through Sixth
Ardiocesan Catechetical Guidelines, Kindergarten through Sixth
Policies to Prevent Child Abuse
Preparatory Reading from Handbook:
Entire Students with Disabilities Section (A-55 to 62)
Booklet at end of Sacrament Section entitled:
"Celebration of Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities
Parish Handbook section H-21 to H-27
Personnel Section P-59 to P-60
Communication Skills
Relational Skills of Director/Coordinator
Catechetical Presentations: Public Speaking and Written Communications
Organizing and Conducting Meetings for Catechetical Staff and for Parents
Preparation and Leading of Prayer for Catechists and Other Adults
Preparatory Reading from Handbook:
Profiles of Catechetical Leaders:
For Directors: pages Pro-17 to Pro-21
For Coordinators: pages Pro-33 to Pro-37
Administration (job description section):
pages A-12 bullets 10 & 11; A-16; A-25 to A-29
Educational Basics
Assisting Catechists in Managing the Learning Environment
Assisting Catechists in Lesson Planning and in Using the Catechist Manual
Assisting Catechists in Using Archdiocesan Guidelines for Catechesis
Student Homework, Testing, Record-keeping, Evalutaion
Working with Parents to assist Student Learning & Behavior
Preparatory Reading from Handbook:
Profiles of Catechetical Leaders:
For Directors: pages Pro-11, Pro-12, Pro-28 # 4
For Coordinators: pages Pro-27, Pro-28 # 4, Pro-30# 5
Administration (job description section):pages A-14 to A-15
Catechist Formation: pages CF-19 to CF- 22
Parish Handbook: pages H-12 top; H-14; H-31
Spirituality of Mission for Catechetical Leaders
Prayer & Sharing on Mission of Director/Coordinator as expressed in
the Logo of the NY Catechetical Office
Methods of Personal Prayer
Preparatory Reading from Handbook:
Profiles of Catechetical Leaders:
pages Pro-3 to Pro 6; Pro-13 & 29 #4
