Abstract
I propose that we take a two-pronged approach to the problem
of a lack .of training for our catechists. The first part of the
proposal would be to begin some form of community building with an
activity such as a Morning/Evening of Reflection, potluck dinners,
and prayer services where we come together to play and pray. These
activities would be for all of the catechists involved in the
parish school of religion, from pre-school up to adult education.
The reason we would want this to be so encompassing is because of
the need for all the catechists to see that there is a flow to the
religious education process. Although we all meet on different
days and different times, and minister to different age-levels, we
are all about the same thing - furthering the Kingdom of God.
There is a larger community from which to draw strength when the
going gets tough or when we want to shout from the rooftops our
joys.
The second prong of this project would be to focus on the
elementary catechists’ expressed needs for training and formation
of some sort. I propose that we gather once a month for a two-hour
session. Each session would be offered twice, once during the day
and once in the evening. The topics to be covered the first year
would be the developmental stages of children, classroom
management, evaluations, creative catechesis and prayer with
children. Each of these sessions would begin with hospitality,
ice breakers, shared prayer, shared reflection on where we are today, and then the main topic would be presented. Each
presentation would have an oral evaluation at the end.
