Welcome Pastors, Parish Coordinators, and Pastoral Leaders!
This section offers some tools and references to assist you in your role. The Office of Catechetics and Adult Faith Growth is here to assist and support your pastoral work in your local parish setting. The Directory for Catechesis is clear as to the importance of the parish as a setting for catechesis and evangelization. Together we can engage meaningfully with those that have been part of the church, those returning, and those seeking to encounter Jesus and the people of God today!
Local Formation
If you would like to learn more about this formation please contact the archdiocesan office of Catechetics and Adult Faith Growth directly or explore the links below.
Fall Formation Sessions
Annual Fall Formation September Sessions are held for all catechists, coordinators, and those that walk with others in faith. These sessions are fully sponsored for you by the Service of Catechetics Archdioceses of St. Boniface and Winnipeg.
Formation for Adults to Learn How to Share Faith with Children
Click here for a video introduction of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (3:14 minutes)
Click here for a video of children's and parents' experiences (3:47 minutes)
Click here for a video about the beginning of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (9:43 minutes)
Click here for an article Discovering God through Play - Are Children Innately Spiritual? CBC Tapestry
Click here to go to the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Association of Canada with resources for parents to use at home. The home is known as the domestic church and we seek to strengthen and support the domestic church. Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church: “The family, is so to speak, the domestic church.” (Lumen Gentium #11) This means that it is in the context of the family that we first learn who God is and prayerfully seek His will for us. In the following bullet points, you will find some suggestions on how to build your “domestic church” through a life of prayer that can help all the members of your family.
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Montessori-based religious formation for children starting at the age of 3. It seeks to create and facilitate a sacred, ‘hands-on’ space for children called an atrium, in which both the children and their catechists can listen, ponder, and celebrate the most profound mysteries of the Christian faith as revealed in Scripture and Liturgy. Founded in Rome by Sofia Cavalletti and Gianna Gobbi in 1954, the Catechesis has spread worldwide and is used by various Christian traditions to nurture the child’s relationship with Jesus. The course is presented in the Roman Catholic tradition but includes awareness of material adaptations to the Anglican, Lutheran, and Orthodox traditions.
There are three levels of training for adults interested in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd:
- Level 1 for children 3-6 years of age
- Level 2 for children 6-9 years of age
- Level 3 for children 9-12 years of age
Level 1 training must be completed before beginning Level 2.
Level 2 training must be completed before beginning Level 3.
The Level 1 course lays the foundation of the theory and practices of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for all three levels of CGS. This 90+ hour course concretely prepares the adult to work, to listen to the Word of God, and to learn with and from children.
Online & Distance Faith Formation Courses
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) Office of Evangelization and Catechesis (OEC)
Click here for a treasury of webinars with accompanying resources that can deepen and grow you and others in faith. These webinars can be watched and reflected on individually or within a group setting. Topics include: Directory for Catechesis, Encounters of Hope, Nurturing Friendship, Amoris Laetitia, The Way of Beaty, The Four Constitutions of Vatican II, A Great Symphony of Prayer: The Our Father as a Programme of Life.
Videos Available Webinar Series “A Great Symphony of Prayer: The Our Father as a Programme of Life” presented by Dr. Josephine Lombardi (St. Augustine's Seminary) April 2024 these first four of eight English-language webinars on prayer are now available!
- “Why did Jesus address God as Father?”
- “Seeking God’s Kingdom and Knowing God’s Will”
- “Daily Bread and the Gift of Forgiveness”
- “Managing Trials and Resisting Evil”
Session 1 – Catechists Named for Mission! (PowerPoint)
Click here for an "Overview of Adult Formation Programs offered by Canadian Catholic Universities, Colleges and Seminaries".
St. Paul's College - University of Manitoba
Click here to learn more about St. Paul's College at the University of Manitoba.
Centre for Religious Education and Catechesis (CREC) at Saint-Paul Unviersity (Ottawa, ON)
Click here for more information on CREC. The Centre for Religious Education and Catechesis cultivates a multidisciplinary approach to applied research and reflective practice in religious education and catechesis that best responds to current needs. Grounded in the Roman Catholic tradition, and embracing all Christian traditions, the Centre seeks to partner with the faith-based agencies working in a variety of ways for faith development and catechesis across Canada.
Centre for Religious Education and Catechesis
Saint-Paul University
223 Main Street
Ottawa (Ontario)
K1S 1C4
Canada
613 236-1393
recentre@ustpaul.ca
Newman Theological College (Edmonton, AB)
Click here to explore non-credit course outlines and descriptions offered at Newman Theological College Newman Theological College offers a comprehensive selection of courses on various aspects of the Catholic faith. All are offered online, so you can study from the comfort of your home and work around your personal schedule. Each course runs five weeks. Take an individual course for interest, or work toward one or all of the 22 specialized Certificates in Catholic Studies.
This program is open to adults and youth of all backgrounds and education levels.
Past Webinars & Conferences
December 5, 2022 - Where Faith and Life Meet: A Resource Launch and Interactive Webinar for All Who Accompany Adult Faith
Click here for more information on Phase I and Phase II, as well as recordings of the "Where Faith, Meets Life Symposium" — September 27, 28, 2021.
Click here for the Centre for Religious Education and Catechesis - Resources (ustpaul.ca)
Regional and National Conferences
The Office of Evangelization and Catechesis from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops(OEC CCCB) has numerous video series of prerecorded webinars.
Click here to access the video resources from the OEC CCCB.
Click here for the series on the Directory for Catechesis.
From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
Click here for USCCB's short video introducing the new Directory for Catechesis. 1:11 min
Click here for "Why does the Directory for Catechesis Matter Today? - With Dr. Petroc Willey" 30:42 min
Past Regional and National Conferences
HE THIRSTS FOR YOU APRIL 4-6 2019
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, through the Episcopal Commission for Evangelization and Catechesis, hosted the 2019 National Conference on Evangelization and Catechesis on 4-6 April 2019, at the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel - Ottawa Airport. The theme of the conference, He Thirsts for You, is inspired by John 4: 4-26 – The Woman at the Well.
Highlights of the Conference included an opening play, He Thirsts for You, written and performed by Catholic playwright Elisa Lollino, as well as the following keynote speakers: the Most Reverend William McGrattan, Father Ron Rolheiser, O.M.I., and Dr. Josephine Lombardi. Additionally, each participant had the opportunity to choose four workshops on a variety of topics related to evangelization and catechesis.
The Western Region of Canada had about thirty participants! Thank you to all participants for a successful conference.
Helpful Links
Catechesi Tradendae (Catechesis in Our Time) by Saint Pope John Paul II
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Effective Catechetical Leader Series (Loyola)
Evangelii Nuntiandi (Evangelization in the Modern World) by Saint Pope Paul VI
Evangelization, Catechesis and Catholic Education (CCCB)
Professional Development Webinars for Parish Ministry Leaders (Ave Maria Press)
Resources for Healthy Life and Ministry (Saint Luke Institute)
Sanctuary (Mental Health Ministries)
Are You a Catechist?
Who is a catechist? There are many faces to catechists, and many ways to engage in catechesis. Consider sharing the journey as a catechist!
“A Catechist is a person who facilitates the process of faith formation. This is done first by echoing the word of God in his or her own life, and second by helping others to do so.... Through your work with adults, families, adolescents, and children, you are passing on a lived faith.”
- Joe Paprocki, The Catechist's Toolbox
"Catechesis is nothing other than the process of transmitting the Gospel, as the Christian community has received it, understands it, celebrates it, lives it and communicates it in many ways." (General Directory for Catechesis #105) Jesus empowered the Church to continue His mission when He said, Full authority has been given to me both in heaven and on earth; go, therefore and make disciples of all the nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you. And know that I am with you always, until the end of time. (Mt. 28:18-20)
This great commission has been handed to women and men, whom God has called, to proclaim the Good News. This ministry of teaching and forming has traditionally been referred to as catechesis.
The name of catechesis was given to the whole of the efforts within the Church to make disciples, to help people to believe that Jesus is the Son of God...and to educate and instruct them in this life and thus build up the Body of Christ. (Catechesi Tradendae #1)
The word catechesis comes from the Greek meaning "to echo the teaching" meaning that catechesis or the teaching of the faith is an interactive process in which the Word of God re-sounds between and among the proclaimer, the one receiving the message, and the Holy Spirit! Catechesis is a life-long process of initial conversion, formation, education, and on-going conversion. Through word, worship, service and community, it seeks to lead all God's people to an ever deepening relationship with God who reveals himself in Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Catechesis takes many forms and includes the initiation of adults, youth and children as well as the intentional and systematic effort to enable all to grow in faith and discipleship.
Source: http://www.catechesis-chicago.org/
Programs
Ongoing Catechesis:
Finding God - Loyola Press
Click here for 2021 Edition
Click here for 2013 Edition
Click here for Adaptive Program
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Immediate Catechesis (Sacraments):
- We Prepare for Reconciliation - Novalis
- We Share in the Eucharist -Novalis
- Alive in the Spirit - Novalis
- Come Join Us at the Table - Novalis
- Blessed -Dynamic Catholic
- Decision Point -Dynamic Catholic
- Others in consultation with the Service of Catechetics
Three Minute Retreat
Click here or on the photo below for the Loyola Press Three Minute Retreat: A Work in Progress.
Documents and Reference Materials
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church
New Resources for Formation
Visit our Resource Library Section of the website for New Arrivals and to reserve materials.
The Archdiocese of Saint Boniface Resource Library contains a wide variety of religious materials: videos, DVDs, cassettes, CDs, and books. These materials are available to enrich any religious education program as well as one's spiritual journey.
Catechetics
