• The catechist formation process is broken up into three inter-connected dimensions that focus on Why, How, and What a catechist witnesses.
• Initial Certifications Courses: 
  • Vocation of the Catechist 
  • Methodology for Schools 
  • Spotlight: Morality 
  • Spotlight: Faith 
  • Spotlight: Liturgy & Sacraments 
  • Spotlight: Prayer and Spirituality 
  • Spotlight: Scripture (Old & New Testament) 
• All of our courses are hosted on our online formation platform RCAN Online. The platform provides both virtual and in-person formation opportunities and will automatically track your progress towards certification completion.
• Courses may be taken in any order; however, we highly recommend starting with Vocation of the Catechist or Catechesis 101.
• If you attend a course in a separate track or at a local parish that is not offered through the LMS, log in to submit your completed certificate.

"To "be" catechists! Not to "work" as catechists. Catechesis is a vocation: "Being a catechist", is the vocation. Not "working" as a catechist." 
~ Pope Francis, Congress on Catechesis.

This is the first dimension of catechist formation. Being a catechist is a vocation. While catechists can begin their formation by taking any course outlined in the process, it is recommended that catechists begin with the "The Vocation of the Catechist". 

Related Course: "Vocation of the Catechist"
This course will help catechists:

• Explore their call to serve in catechetical ministry.
• Learn more about what catechesis is and consider their vocation as a catechist.
• Learn to see themselves not just as a “teacher” of the faith, but also as a missionary disciple who gives witness to their faith and relationship with Jesus in word and deed.
• How to create an environment where young people and families can encounter the Lord
• How to lead others effectively to prayer
• How to creatively engage our young people in ways that are also adaptable in virtual learning environments. There will also be time for personal prayer and reflection.

"The catechist will be able not only to communicate the Gospel accurately, but also able to make those being  taught capable of receiving it actively..." 
~ General Directory for Catechesis, 112

“Catechists do not merely instruct their students about Christ;
they lead them to him.” 
~ National Directory for Catechesis, 241

In order to be an effective catechist, one must know how to communicate the Gospel to the young people, adults and families that have been entrusted to our care.  This demands that catechists have an understanding of the factors that impact effective transmission of the message.  "Metholology" courses are aimed at equipping catechists with the skills and techniques necessary for the mission. 

Related Course: Methodology for Teachers
This course will help catechists: 

• To successfully reach the young people they serve.
• To learn how to teach as Jesus taught.
• To explore how children learn and develop spiritually.
• To learn about generational cohorts Generation Z and Generation Alpha and explore creative strategies to reach these generations.
• To develop engaging plans for catechetical sessions 
• To expand their use of media and digital tools in order to adapt to an ever-changing catechetical landscape.
• To adapt of these methods in order to meet the needs of different kinds of learners.

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"This synthesis of faith should be such as to help the catechist to mature in his own faith and enable him/her to offer an explanation for the present hope in this time of mission."
 ~ General Directory for Catechesis, 241

Courses:
Spotlight: Morality: 
 Unfolds the fullness of God’s law revealed through Christ. Founded in God’s roadmap for happiness, this Pillar covers the elements of moral decision-making. 
Spotlight: Faith: 
Takes the learner on a journey from the beginning of God’s loving creation of mankind to the Church’s divine understandings of the End Times. 
Spotlight: Liturgy & Sacraments: 
This course offers an overview of the Seven Sacraments as rooted in salvation history and the coming of Christ.
Spotlight: Prayer and Spirituality:
Prayer and Spirituality is friendship with God, and this Pillar navigates us through the joys and difficulties of the spiritual life. 
Spotlight: Scripture (Old & New Testament):  
This series on Sacred Scripture will give you an overview and introduction to this intriguing book; a book that has not only changed the world but is also given a divine role to play in each of our lives.

We are always growing in faith and skills. As catechists, we have an obligation to provide the best catechesis to the young people and families entrusted to our care. Therefore, once initial formation has been completed catechists and teachers should attend at least one event or course for continuing formation each year.

Ongoing formation for catechists helps them:

• Harmonize the human, spiritual, doctrinal, and pastoral dimensions of their apostolate.
• Keep abreast of the life of the Church - its needs, new documents, as well as changing social, cultural, ethnic, and religious circumstances.
• Overcome discouragement and burnout.

~ National Directory for Catechesis, 55

RCAN Online offers a number of Ongoing Formation courses, which can be accessed here. Also, check out our calendar for other events offered by the Catechetical Office.