Each fall over 500,000 Catholics volunteer to serve as catechists in the faith formation programs of 18,000 parishes in the United States.
Once you say yes, many of you are wondering what to do next. Let me offer three suggestions for a good start:
1. Spend time becoming familiar with the catechist manual. These are the big books for each grade level that often weigh four or more pounds. Read all the introductory material and become familiar with the structure of each lesson.
2. Acquire knowledge. Decide on one or topics that you that you need to learn more about. Classroom management, overview of scripture, developing a lesson plan, etc. Check with other catechists or your director of faith formation for suggested resources.
3. Review your weekly calendar and schedule two times throughout the week. A minimum of two hours to plan the weekly lesson. And then one hour for your personal reading and study. This may include an article from a magazine, chapter from a book, DVD, visiting websites and blogs, meeting with others, etc.
And remember, your responsibility and commitment is to prepare yourself to do the best you can in helping your children, youth or adults learn and experience each week one thing about the Catholic faith. This is your vocation and ministry as a catechist. Do the best you can. Plan, prepare and pray. And then let God do the rest.
Dan Pierson