1. Welcome
Introduce yourself
Introduce the Effective Catechetical Leader series as a joint effort between Loyola Press and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership (NCCL)

2. That’s SO last millennium!
The Effective DRE
Explain that the original collaboration was titled The Effective DRE series and that it was published in the late 1990s
Talk about how the Church, society, and the world have experienced significant changes in these past several decades leading to the need to revise the series
NCCL approached Loyola Press about collaborating on a revision several years ago and the new series came to fruition in 2017.
That’s SO last millennium!

3. The Effective Catechetical Leader
Do a brief overview of the titles and their authors:
Called by Name: Preparing Yourself for the Vocation of Catechetical Leader – Joe Paprocki (National Consultant for Faith Formation, Loyola Press)
Catechetical Leadership: What It Should Look Like, How It Should Work, and Whom It Should Serve – Adrian Alberto Herrera (Associate Director for the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston)
Developing Disciples of Christ: Understanding the Critical Relationship between Catechesis and Evangelization – Julianne Stanz (Director of New Evangelization, Diocese of Green Bay)

4. The Effective Catechetical Leader
Cultivating Your Catechists: How to Recruit, Encourage and Retain Successful Catechists – Jayne Ragasa-Mondoy (Director of Religious Education, Diocese of Honolulu)
Excellence in Ministry: Best Practices for Successful Catechetical Leadership – Tom Quinlan (Director of Religious Education, Diocese of Joliet)
All God’s People: Effective Catechesis in a Diverse Church – Donna Tolliver Grimes (Assistant Director for African American Affairs in the Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)

5. Called by Name
Preparing Yourself for the Vocation of Catechetical Leader
By Joe Paprocki, DMin
Introduce the focus of this presentation:
Called by Name: Preparing Yourself for the Vocation of Catechetical Leader - This book focuses on what catechetical leaders need to be, as opposed to what they need to know or do, if they are to lead effectively.
Joe Paprocki, D.Min., is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press. Joe has more than 35 years of experience in ministry and has presented in more than 100 dioceses in North America. He is the author of numerous books and served as the series editor for the Effective Catechetical Leader. Joe blogs about his experiences in faith formation at

6. Few of us, as children, dream of growing up to become a catechetical leader!
Let’s get started
Talk about how few, if any, children dream of growing up to be a catechetical leader!
Tell your own story of how you came to serve in this ministry.
Invite participants to share their stories of how they came to their present position.

7. God has called you to catechetical leadership.
Introduce the notion that catechetical leadership is more than a job or a function but is a “calling”
Talk about the implications of approaching catechetical leadership as a calling. Invite participants to identify implications.
Talk about how callings come in all different shapes and sizes and rarely involve hearing a voice from heaven saying “I want YOU to be a catechetical leader!”
Option – Invite participants to work on and discuss Chapter 3 Printable “Recalling Your Calling”

8. Talk about how the notion of a calling brings us to the word VOCATION
Discuss how our understanding of the word VOCATION has evolved from something referring only to priests and nuns to something that ALL of the baptized have.
Explain that a vocation is a way of life - which makes catechetical leadership more than a job
Point out that, in the General Directory for Catechesis, the Church refers to “the vocation of the catechist.” (#239)

9. “The single most critical factor in an effective parish catechetical program is the leadership of a professionally trained parish catechetical leader.”
(NDC 54B5)
Talk about how the National Directory for Catechesis emphasizes the absolute necessity of well-trained and formed catechetical leaders.
Read the quote on the slide
Explain that this is the reason you are here participating in this presentation: this diocese – along with NCCL and Loyola Press – are committed to offering you what you need to be professionally trained for your ministry as a catechetical leader.

10. As a catechetical leader, you are called to be well-rounded: to be formed into a three-dimensional being.
So let’s talk about the kind of formation catechetical ministers need.
Introduce “Flat Stanley” – a paper cut-out of the title character of a series of children’s books and part of a popular school project that encourages reading and writing among pen pals.
Explain that, while Stanley is popular, he has one major problem:
“Flat Stanley is fun and engaging. There’s only one problem with Flat Stanley. He’s flat. “
Explain that catechetical ministers are called on to be well-rounded; three dimensional.
Photo credit: Source is of the author User: Llambabr under the license Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.

11. The formation of catechists is made up of different dimensions
The formation of catechists is made up of different dimensions. (GDC 238)
BEING
KNOWING
DOING
Explain that the General Directory for Catechesis (238) insists that formation for catechetical ministers be three-dimensional:
BEING – we need to focus on our spiritual wellness
KNOWING – we need to grow in knowledge of Jesus Christ and our Catholic Tradition
DOING – we need to grow in our ability to effectively transmit the Catholic faith to others
Point out that the focus of this book/presentation is on the BEING aspect of our formation as catechetical leaders

12. The Spirituality of the Catechetical Minister:
Openness to God
Openness to the Church
Openness to the World
Explain that these six characteristics of the spirituality of the catechetical minister are addressed in The Catechist’s Backpack by Joe Paprocki and Julianne Stanz and stem from a Church document, Guide for Catechists.
Openness to God – a recognition of total dependency on God
Openness to the Church – a recognition that one is not a “lone ranger” in ministry
Openness to the world – a recognition that we are not called to withdraw from, but rather, to engage the world.

13. The Spirituality of the Catechetical Minister:
Authenticity of Life
Missionary Zeal
Devotion to Mary and the Saints
Authenticity of Life – a recognition of the need to practice what we preach (“we cannot give what we don’t have”)
Missionary Zeal – a recognition that others need to see the urgency and enthusiasm we bring to our ministry.
Devotion to Mary and the Saints – a recognition that we have models of discipleship to turn to for inspiration.
Option: Consider inviting participants to work on and discuss Ch. 4 Printable, “Assessing My Spiritual Wellness”

14. What “utensils” do you rely on to tap into your soul where the presence of God seeks to nourish you?
Read aloud the story on page 54 of Called By Name from Margaret Silf – “Tapping Into the Soul” – about the need for “utensils” to access nourishment from God.
Talk about “utensils” such as the Daily Examen, the Spiritual Exercises, Lectio Divina, and other prayer styles and devotions that enable us to access spiritual nourishment from God.
Share your own “utensils” – your own approaches to feeding yourself spiritually – and invite participants to do the same as a large group or in small groups.

15. Our spiritual wellness relies on balance and harmony
Our spiritual wellness relies on balance and harmony. Without that balance, we find ourselves settling for less instead of striving for more – evidence that our spirit needs healing.
Emphasize that the bottom line is the need for balance in our lives in order to maintain spiritual wellness.
Talk about the danger of “ministry burnout” – the first case of which was described in 1Kings when Elijah collapsed under the broom tree and decided he had had enough.
Read the story: 1Kings 1-19
Talk about times you have felt this way and invite participants to do the same. Focus on what needs to be done to avoid this as well as how to get the “fire” burning again.

16. Things to Be Aware of: Self-care Putting on the persona Uncertainty
Offer your own advice and wisdom from your experience about how to successfully navigate these challenges.
Things to be aware of:
There’s no end in sight
Am I making a difference?
Feels like a merry-go-round
“Heal yourselves!”
Tired of the same ol’ faces
Self-care
Putting on the persona
Uncertainty
Option: Consider using Ch. 8 Printable, “Tips for Maintaining Balance” to foster discussion on avoiding common pitfalls, obstacles, and challenges in catechetical ministry.

17. Local clusters, deaneries, vicariate groups Professional organizations
Who’s holding you up?
Real relationships
Local clusters, deaneries, vicariate groups
Professional organizations
Conferences
Spiritual direction
Explain how, in Ex 17, as long as Moses kept his arms raised, the Israelites were winning in battle, but when he lowered them, they were losing. Eventually, Aaron and Hur had to hold up Moses’ tired arms.
Talk about who “holds us up” – supports us – in ministry.
Real relationships (scheduled time)
Local clusters, deaneries, vicariate groups
Professional organizations (local, national)
Conferences
Spiritual direction
Seek out a spiritual director through your local parish or retreat center. If spiritual direction is not an option, create time and space to foster your own faith and relationship with God.
Talk about your experience with the groups listed on the slide and ask for participants to do the same.
Option: Consider having participants work on and discuss Ch. 9 Printable, “Where Do I Find Support?”

18. It All Begins with Clarity
Give the role a title.
Be specific and detailed.
Outline expectations.
Talk about the importance of having a role description to bring clarity to your role and build structure for maintaining balance.
Title of specific role
Qualities and qualifications expected
Identification as salaried, full-time, etc.
Specific duties and scope of responsibilities
Description of evaluation process
Details relating to salary and benefits
Identification of superior to whom you report
Term of position (10 or 12 months)
Personnel you are responsible for supervising
Administrative responsibilities
Participation in parish, regional, diocesan, national organizations
Option: Consider using Ch. 7 Printable “How to Write a Role Description for a Catechetical Leader” to shape your discussion concerning role descriptions.

19. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
Jn 15:11
Conclude by emphasizing that the overall goal of this presentation and of the book, Called By Name, is to provide you with what you need to experience joy in your ministry!

20. Available for iOS and Android in the app store.
The ECL App
Available for iOS and Android in the app store.
Make reference to the ECL App and note that it is free.

21. More Resources
Continue to train and equip your catechists with The Catechist’s Toolbox Series.

22. More Resources www.LoyolaPress.com
Visit our home on the web for resources for catechists and lesson plans.
Sunday Connection
Catechist’s Journey