Nurturing Faith

As coordinator of our 7th, 8th and 9th grade religious education program, I'm looking for materials I can use with my teachers to train them as catechists. Many of them have no training in religious education. There are courses available but they do not have the time. Can you suggest any material that could help me in training them?

You have a difficult situation that is not uncommon: how can we help transform our staff who are people of good will and great generosity into more knowledgeable catechists, especially when their time is at a minimum? Here is one suggestion.

Perhaps you could offer your teachers 30 to 45-minute in-service workshops on a monthly basis, during which you provide training on a variety of topics. Let the teachers decide on the best time for these meetings, e.g., after their sessions, a designated evening, a Saturday, etc. For your workshop format, I suggest using the front section of whatever catechetical series you are using. Most teachers' guides contain a wealth of background material for teacher training (which is often overlooked), and experienced educators have usually developed this material.

Obviously, I'm very familiar with the Sadlier Faith and Witness Program for Junior High, so I'll use that as an example. The program consists of five one-semester texts: Creed, Morality, Liturgy and Worship, Church History, and New Testament. The annotated guide for each of these texts provides a Catechist's Handbook in which important and relevant topics are covered. You could let the nine topics serve as a guide for your in-service program. Each topic is carefully explained and practical applications are provided for the catechists. These are especially helpful for those who have little training as catechists. Allowing time for questions and group interaction could also help you determine where your teachers need most help. These are the topics that are covered.

You Are a Catechist
The Catechetical Environment
Understanding the Adolescent
Prayer and the Young Person
Questions That Matter
Ways of Learning The Learning/Teaching Process
Preparing a Lesson Student Interaction

One other suggestion. The Creed book is an excellent and up-to-date summary and resource on what we believe as Catholics. This resource is invaluable regardless of what grade or topic one might be teaching. I hope this is helpful. If you keep offering short, practical in-service programs, your teachers will quickly become more knowledgeable and confident in amazing ways. Sometimes the answers are closer than we think.

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