Footsteps in Faith Catechist Workshop 20082009

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Footsteps in FaithCatechist Workshop2008-2009
Welcome!
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• Opening Prayer
• Sower of the
• Seed

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What is Catechesis?

• "Catechesis leads people
• to enter the mystery of Christ,
• to encounter him, and
• to discover themselves and
• the meaning of their lives in him
• -General Directory for Catechesis, 19

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Vision for Catechesis

• Catechesis literally means echo.
• In Catechesis, we echo our the faith to the
  next generation.
• In Catechesis we share our faith, not just teach
  about the faith.
• In catechesis, you learn and grow in faith
  together with those you catechize.
• Good catechesis causes conversion.

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• Building upon the sense of wonder, catechesis
  leads people to a sense of the sacred and to
  recognition of Gods presence in their lives.
• National Catechetical Directory, 145

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• Catechesis has to reveal in all clarity the joy
  and the demands
• of the way of Christ.
• -John Paul II, Catechesi Tradendae, 29

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Conversion is

• Transformation
• Metamorphosis
• Change of heart
• Seeing with new eyes
• I once was blind but now I see
• Amazing Grace

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In Faith Formation, we aim to

• Nurture peoples relationship with their Creator,
• Introduce them to Jesus,
• Teach them to listen to the Holy Spirit,
• Help them to understand and appreciate the
  practices and traditions of the Church
• Transform them for a lifetime of faith.

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Reflection

• How does this vision of catechesis match or
  conflict with your experience of catechesis?
• In what ways do you see this approach different
  than how you tend to approach Faith Formation?
• How do you think this vision will challenge you
  this year?

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Preparing for the Session

• Because Catechizing is echoing the faith, you
  must be very careful about what you echo and how.
• Faith must be shared with conviction, joy, love,
  enthusiasm, and hope.
• -National Catechetical Directory, 207

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• He or she (the catechist) must be a person of
  prayer, one who frequently reflects on the
  scriptures and whose Christlike living testifies
  to deep faith.
• -National Catechetical Directory, 207

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Preparing Self for the Session

• Read the Catechist Formation section before the
  chapter.
• Slowly and carefully read and reflect on the
  readings mentioned in that sessions chapter.
• Slowly and carefully read and reflect on the
  corresponding weeks Mass readings.
• Ask God for inspiration and guidance to lead and
  share the faith compassionately and accurately.

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Preparing Material for the Session

• Spend at least one hour in preparation.
• Read through the chapter given in the Harcourt
  textbook about two weeks in advance of your
  session.
• On the back of your session plan sheet, jot ideas
  for your session as you go along.
• Revisit this chapter and put together your
  session plan in the week before.

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Reflection

• What does my daily prayer life look like?
• In what area of my faith would I most like to
  grow this year?
• What bible stories do I find the most enjoyable
  to retell?
• When is my best time to prepare for the sessions?

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Footsteps inFaith
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Why Footsteps in Faith?

• The Christian faith is, above all,
• conversion to Jesus Christ,
• full and sincere adherence
• to his person
• and the decision to walk in his footsteps.
• -General Directory for Catechesis, 53

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Program Components

• Set up rooms done by 15 minutes prior to
  session
• Snack?
• Building Community
• Centering Community Gathering
• Sending Forth by grade level
• Grade-level time
• Sending Forth to home

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Setting up the Room

• Complete by 15 mins prior to session
• (Sunday 1130am, Wednesday 615pm)
• Bulletin board
• Prayer table
• Activity
• Name cards
• tie-it-together projects
• Media music, DVD/TV

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Snack?

• Sunday snack will be coffee, OJ, and breakfast
  treats in the Parish Center prior to your
  classtime.
• Wednesday snack
• Do you prefer it in your rooms (held whenever is
  convenient) or in a large group in the Parish
  Center?
• What format? Have parents bring food or have a
  parish collection?

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Building Community

• While families are coming together and preparing
  themselves for the gathering, sharing snack, etc.
  please go around and say hello to your children.
  Greet them, meet their families, introduce
  yourself.
• Start up a conversation how is school, what
  sports do you play, what was something you found
  you could give God thanks for this week.

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Centering Gathering

• Sunday we will come together and center ourselves
  at approximately 1200p.m.
• Wednesday, if we share a snack as a group we will
  come together and center ourselves at
  approximately 645p.m. If not, we will center at
  630p.m.
• You will need to be present for all of all of the
  gatherings. (If you are running late, please
  sneak in the back.)

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Sending forth by grade level

• When your grade level is called, come stand to
  the front or side so your students can gather
  around you.
• If you know you still do not have an assistant
  for that class, remind me and I will make the
  call for a parent to help.
• Once you are collected together, you can go to
  your room (or where you are beginning your
  session).

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Grade-level time

• Always begin and end in prayer.
• Talk about what is on the prayer table.
• Session may be held in any of the parish spaces
  except for where others already are.
• Church, Chapel, Memorial Garden, Prayer Garden
  (behind the PC), by Marys Statue in front of
  church, on the grass

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Sending forth to home

• Send something home with the students each week.
• Pass out any handouts.
• Make mention of upcoming birthdays.
• Bless them or give hugs. Make the sign of the
  cross on their foreheads.
• Do not release the child except to the parent
  (this is why meeting the parents is important).

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Reflection

• Where is my favorite place to meet with God?
  The car? The shower? In Church?
• Why is this place the right place for me?
• What are some conversation starters ways for me
  to open conversation with other families?
• How can I make my children feel special and loved
  before I send them forth?

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Methodology
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Setting up the Room

• Bulletin board
• Changing monthly
• Never blank
• Can decorate with childrens pictures
• Seasonal
• Can use newspaper or wrapping paper as your
  background
• Prayer table
• Always have a lit candle, bible, and white cloth.
  Add additional items as appropriate.
• Name cards/place cards
• Optional Can add to them during the year.
• Media music, DVD/TV
• Some rooms do not have TVs please request in
  advance.
• All rooms should have a stereo.

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Footsteps

• The metaphor should be incorporated into your
  classroom throughout the year i.e.
• Following Jesus
• Walking a journey of faith
• Journeying together
• Standing ground
• Bible - a roadmap for your journey and a light
  onto the path
• Jumping and leaping for joy

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In-Session Reminders

• At least one activity during your session should
  enable your children to move around.
• Keep in mind that children learn in different
  ways sight, sound, music, motion, writing,
  speech, drawing, sharingIncorporate Use
  demonstrations, activities, examples, actions,
  symbols, signs, and story whenever possible to
  help a message stick.
• Personalize your room to make your space familiar
  and friendly to your children.

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Use of Prayer

• Use prayer as often as it seems appropriate. If
  someone says they have a sick cousin, pray
  together, or put that name on a prayer list on
  the board.
• Take prayer requests (when Joey says to pray for
  his grandma pray for Joeys and all grandmas).
• Invite kids to write prayer requests on a slip of
  paper and put it in a prayer jar. You can pray
  over it at some point during class. It can be
  kept on the prayer table.

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Tie-It Together activity ideas

• Fill in the letters A-Z throughout the year with
  a word of the week
• Make a quilt on the wall with each new piece
  representing the message of the week.
• Hang one ornament on a tree per week (branch in a
  coffee can) as a symbol for that week.
• Make a book with enough blank pages for the year.
  On each page the children can individually
  journal or write or draw about what they learned
  that day.
• Faith ruler start with a ruler going up. On
  the lowest rung goes the first weeks message.
  Each new week gets a new line going up.
• Memoir book Older kids Make a blank book with
  enogh pages for the year. On each page ask older
  children to write three sentences about what this
  weeks message meant to them personally, how it
  affects them, things to pray about, etc.

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Liturgical Connection

• When planning for your session, ask,
• How can I incorporate the message from this
  weekends readings and gospel into my session?
• How does my session fit with the meaning of the
  celebration of the Eucharist?
• How can I bring elements from liturgy into my
  session?

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Liturgical Connection Words

• Dialogue with children as the priest does, i.e.
• Peace be with you.And also with you.
• Let us pray
• May our Lord God bless you in the name of the
  Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
• Use language they may hear elsewhere (in Mass) in
  your communications with your children.

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Liturgical Connection Environment

• Use liturgical colors when possible.
• Green Ordinary Time
• Purple Lent and Advent weeks 1, 2, 4
• Red Pentecost
• Pink Advent week 3
• White baptisms and Easter season
• Drape prayer table
• Use colors on bulletin boards
• Go to church and talk about what looks different
  when the colors change

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Liturgical Connection Actions

• Practice actions they make in Church
• Kneeling
• Holy Water sign of the cross
• Genuflecting
• Raise arms Peace be with you or during prayers
  of praise
• Sign of peace shaking hands
• Hold hands for the Our Father

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• Calendar Overview

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Footsteps in Faith

• Similar to last year
• Sunday or Wednesday track
• About twice monthly
• 17 sessions on the calendar from beginning of
  Sept thru end of May
• Dates in the yellow handout

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Parent Program

• Held at the same time as the childrens program
• Speaker or presentation each time
• Parents are asked to attend at least half of the
  sessions (8)

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Family Faith

• Brand new program this year
• All-family events open to the entire parish
• Nine on the calendar
• Announced and promoted in the bulletin
• No registration necessary

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Family Faith Events

• Need volunteers and creative thinkers to help put
  the events together
• First meeting to discuss
• September 4, 700pm in room 306
• You will be asked to really promote this to your
  children.
• All are welcome!

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Family Faith Dates

• October 1Teaching Mass
• October 29Topic Saints Heroes
• November 26Service Project
• December 3Topic Advent
• January 7Topic Rosary
• February 24 Mardi Gras to Lent
• March 18Topic Forgiveness
• April 5Seder Meal
• April 8Topic Holy Week

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Other PossibleFaith Formation Events

• Christmas Party 12/21 after 1030 Mass
• Christmas Nativity 12/24 400pm Mass
• Day-long VBS 12/29
• Stations of the Cross or Passion 4/10
• End-of-year bash in lieu of final session
• Summer VBS week of 6/14 or 6/22
• Summer series for children

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Roles and Expectations

• Catechists
• Assistants
• Catechetical Sunday Sept 21

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Planning Meetings

• Monthly planning meetings
• For all Catechists and Assistants
• Prefer weeknight or weekend?
• Start in September

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Catechetical Formation

• Each Catechist is expected to participate in two
  catechetical formation experiences this year.
• A magazine subscription to Religion Teachers
  Journal or Catechist Magazine counts as one of
  your formation experiences.

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Diocesan Opportunities for Catechetical Formation

• Catechetical Day Oct 25
• St. Francis Xavier (Ft. Myers)
• 800 a.m.-300 p.m.
• "The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the
  Church
• Keynote Carol Eipers (Sadlier Religion
  Consultant and Author)
• Catechetical institute next summer
• Classes at Diocesan Rice School

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Local Opportunities for Catechetical Formation

• Mandatory Catechist Workshop - January 8, 6-9pm
• Ministry Day of Reflection Feb 14
• If I find out more, I will let you know

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Legalities

• Safe Environment
• Volunteer Packets
• Fingerprints