Applications for Certification and Recertification will be reveiewed four times a year by a Certification Review Committee.
Catechetical Leaders wishing to have applications reviewed must submit them to the Department of Family Catechesis on or before the time and date advertised to diocesan Catechetical Leaders. Applications will only be reviewed at meetings of the committee. Late applications will be reviewed by the committee at their next scheduled meeting.
Applications positiviely reviewed by the Committee will be granted certification or recertification. Certificates will be mailed to the applicant's parish and the parish will be present the certificates at time meaningful to the catechetical ministry of the parish.
Suggested Dates for Parish Presentation of Catechist Certificates might be:
- Catechetical Sunday - September 21, 2008 - “The Word of God in Life and Mission of the Church"
- The Sunday of the week during which faith formation begins in a parish
- The Sunday at or near the feast of St. Robert Bellarmine - September 17th or St. Charles Borromeo, November 4th, Patron Saints of Catechists.
- A parish's patronal feast
A. RESPONSE TO CALL. Catechists are called by God through the Church to the ministry of catechesis, not only to give time and talent for re-echoing the faith but to be open to one's own deepening, understanding and living of the Catholic faith.
B. WITNESS TO THE GOSPEL. Catechists are called to believe and witness the gospel and its power to transform life. Catechists are persons with an ongoing commitment to God's Word, in their mind, in their hearts and in their lives.
C. COMMITMENT TO THE CHURCH. Catechists are called to be ministers of the Word and representatives of the Church. They are called to teach what the teaching authority of the Church proclaims, and when teaching any subject must always teach what the Church teaches, regardless of personal beliefs or opinions.
D. SHARES IN COMMUNITY. Our God is a community of persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Made in the image and likeness of God, we are called to be God's people a community of faith. Catechists are therefore called to foster and build a faith community in their classrooms and in all aspects of the parish.
E. SERVANT OF THE COMMUNITY. Catechists are called to serve the Christian community in the spirit of Jesus and the prophets. This service means not only seeking to meet the needs of individuals within the parish but also in the larger local and global community. This challenges the Catechist to be aware of Church teaching and actions in terms of peace and justice. Catechists need to be open to receiving the service and care of others in order to truly be of service to others.
F. KNOWLEDGABLE AND SKILLED Catechists are called to prepare for this important ministry by acquiring the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to communicate gospel values and Church teachings effectively for different age groups.
