Recruiting and Forming Catechists JOE PAPROCKI, DMIN National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press in Chicago CALLING

The Vocation of the Catechist “Indeed, efforts must be made to encourage in parishes and Christian communities vocations for catechesis.” - General Directory for Catechesis #23

The Vocation of the Catechist Becoming a catechist is an opportunity to deepen their own relationship with Jesus, to live out their baptismal calling, and experience conversion. We make a mistake when we present as primarily about working with kids.

Catechist Role Description I’m sorry…you’re just not qualified.

Catechist Role Description Qualities: a desire to grow in and share the Catholic faith an awareness of God’s grace and the desire to respond to that grace a commitment to the Church’s liturgical and sacramental life and moral teachings a strength of character built on patience, responsibility, confidence, and creativity a generosity of spirit, respect for diversity, and a habit of hospitality and inclusion Knowledge and Skills: a basic understanding of Catholic teaching, Scripture, and Catholic Tradition honest and caring relationships with the age group being served effective teaching techniques and strategies Responsibilities (Adapt to local circumstances: sessions, meetings, formation)

Strategies for Calling Why People Volunteer  Achievement  Challenge  Creativity  Independence  Leadership  Recognition  Self-Expression  Service  Socialization People 35 to 44 years old are most likely to volunteer, followed by people age 45 to 54.

Strategies for Calling Catechists When calling forth vocations as catechists, the “all-call” or “sign-up” model can be counterproductive. When a volunteer with specific skills is needed, it’s best to offer personal invitations to selected individuals.

Strategies for Calling Catechists The Pool of Candidates Catechist aides Parents of participants in RE Retired parishioners RCIA neophytes * Actively engaged parishioners Lay Ministry participants PPC (Education commission) members Professional teachers Former catechists Referrals from staff Recommendations from current catechists

Strategies for Calling Catechists Take a Positive Approach Refine your program’s image Avoid guilt or desperation Honor the potential catechist Invite them to join a catechetical community of faith

Strategies for Calling Catechists APPROACHES Witness talks from current catechists Profiles of current catechists in Church bulletin, local paper Facebook page for catechists Invitation to “no obligation” dinner for potential catechists Personal appearances at parish organizations Visibility at Sunday Masses (Observe) Printed materials for support and to build image

Calling MEN to Serve as Catechists The Coach Approach Setting Goals Motivating Teaching skills Communicating Ideas Drilling Building team Teaching behaviors and attitudes Accomplishing tasks

High Expectations Avoid the temptation of making the role of catechist so easy that any one could do it! Formation is non-negotiable for one reason: WE OWE IT TO THEM!

Formation Imagine if these young ladies responded to the call to the vocation of religious life and then were told by the community, “good luck!” The community OWES them formation!

Formation You MUST begin to think of yourself, not as an administrator of a program but as a spiritual leader.

The General Directory for Catechesis tells us that “diocesan pastoral programs must give absolute priority to the formation of lay catechists” (234) and that such formation must include three dimensions: “being, knowing, and savoir-faire [doing].” (238)

BEING Formation that helps catechists to discover their vocation and to mature as a person, a believer, and an apostle.

KNOWING Formation that helps catechists to embrace their faith, acquiring sufficient knowledge of the faith they are called to transmit.

DOING Formation that helps catechists to more effectively proclaim the message of the Gospel.