Office of Evangelization and Catechesis Building a Church of - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Office of Evangelization and Catechesis Building a Church of Communion Diocese of Corpus Christi

— Catechesis in our Diocese and the 4 priorities of our Pastoral Plan — Form- (by accompaniment/mentoring) — Build Community — Prioritize Youth — Go Forth

— Acts 2: St. Peter Proclaims the Kerygma — Then what happened?

— Acts 2:42 Christian Community Centered on the Eucharist

What is Catechesis? — From Catechesis in Our Times (Catechesis Tradendae- St. John Paul II, 1979) — No., 5-Communion The definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ — No. 6-Life long Formation Catechesis is an education of children, young people and adults in the faith , which includes especially the teaching of Christian doctrine imparted, generally speaking, in an organic and systematic way, with a view to initiating the hearers into the fullness of Christian life.

Evangelization and Catechesis T here is no separation or opposition between catechesis and evangelization. Nor can the two be simply identified with each other. Instead, they have close links whereby they integrate and complement each other. No. 19 Catechesis and the Initial Proclamation of the Gospel The specific character of catechesis, as distinct from the initial conversion - bringing proclamation of the Gospel (kerygma), has the twofold objective of maturing the initial faith and of educating the true disciple of Christ by means of a deeper and more systematic knowledge of the person and the message of our Lord Jesus Christ.

— Primary Areas of Responsibility for the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis 1. Catechesis for Children, Youth, and Adults 2. Sacramental Preparation-Infant Baptism Preparation, First Penance, First Communion, Confirmation 3. RCIA (The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults-includes adapted for children and teens) 4. Formation, support, and training for those who serve in catechetical ministries 5. Support and Resources for Evangelization

Snap Shot of Catechesis in Our Diocese Total population in 12 county area : 571, 987 (increase of 10,000 in our 12 county area — from 2012) Approximate number of Catholics in our 12 county area: 354, 946 (down 40, 000 from — 2012) Religious education for children and youth. — Parishes with religious education programs: 67 — Approximately 12, 130 children and youth enrolled in parish religious education — programs Kindergarten -12 th grade Attrition after Confirmation year is 75-80% diocesan wide. — Total number of catechists: 1,927 (includes clergy, religious, and laity) — Approximately 1,600 are catechists for children and youth through religious education — and junior high/high school youth ministry programs Remaining number are catechists for adults: Adult Formation programs, RCIA, — Marriage Preparation, Infant Baptism Preparation, Adult Confirmation Preparation Spanish Language Catechesis — 280 children, youth — 200 adults —

Adult Formation and RCIA According to the Annual Catechetical Survey- — Approximately 700 adults participate in ongoing formation/life long learning- — Bible Studies, Catechism etc. RCIA- Approximately 25 parishes participate yearly in the Rite of Election and — Call to Continuing Conversion. Easter 2019- 133 Catechumens (receiving Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) — 43 Candidates for Full Communion (Baptized Christians from denominations) • Adult Confirmation Preparation-for adult Catholics in need of only the sacrament of Confirmation- Approximately 125-150 adults are confirmed each year. Several parishes offer way to rekindle faith in adult Catholics through parish created programs or movements. (such as Alpha in a Catholic Context, ACTS Mission etc.)

Observations Challenges Opportunities Recommendations

Parish Catechists and Parish Catechetical Leaders Based on Annual Catechetical Surveys 2016-2018 — 38 parish catechists commissioned — Parish Catechetical Leaders — 50% receive a salary or stipend (includes clergy) Approximately 50% are volunteer (no compensation or did not offer information) 33% responding had multiple roles at the parish outside of catechesis or worked at more than one parish-book keeper, office manager, parish secretary, other Catechetical programming –children, youth, adult, marriage preparation, RCIA- Most have a combination of responsibilities and oversee more than one area. 30% commissioned, working to complete, or hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s in Theology or related field. (does not include clergy)

The Role of the Catechist — The importance of the catechist: — General Directory for Catechesis 156. No methodology, no matter how well tested, can dispense with the person of the catechist in every phase of the catechetical process. The charism given to her or him by the Spirit, a solid spirituality and transparent witness of life, constitutes the soul of every method. Only her or his own human and Christian qualities guarantee a good use of texts and other work instruments.

Observations — Challenges — Opportunities — Recommendations

Religious Education Assessment Fall 2018 Grade levels assessed: — Level 1: 5 th grade ( 597) — Level 2: 8 th grade (593) — Level 3: 10 th grade/11 th grade (Confirmation year)- (762) — Based on 62 parishes participating — Religious Education is one of six things in a child’s life-What are — the others? — Areas assessed: Affective: How one experiences faith — Cognitive: Knowledge of faith within the six dimensions of catechesis; — cumulative knowledge.

Strengths and Weaknesses as a Diocese — Affective: — Very strong in this area — Concerns personal beliefs, attitudes and perceptions — Categories: Relationship with Jesus, Images of God, Catholic Identify, Morality, Relationship with Others. — Best Answers: strongly agree; agree — Most chose one of these answers — Indicates strength in the experience of faith, Catholic identify and strength in catechists reaching hearts

Cognitive Knowledge of Faith Strengths Weaknesses Level 1 (5 th grade) Who is Jesus, His Life, and Old Testament, Feast Days, the Gospels Vocabulary (covenant, Incarnation) Level 2 (8 th grade) Scripture Feast Days and Creed Level 3 (10 th /11 th Beliefs about God, Jesus Scripture, Historical Confirmation Year) Connection Liturgical Life Level 1 Liturgical Seasons (Colors), Liturgical and Sacramental Advent signs and symbols Level 2 Mass, Overall Sacraments, Specific Sacraments, Role of Liturgical Year Deacons and Priests Level 3 Sacraments of Initiation, Scripture, Historical Eucharist (Christ’s Presence) Connection

Cognitive Moral Formation Strengths Weaknesses Level 1 (5 th grade) Simple understanding of morality, Commandments, Two Great Care for Others, Creation Commandments Level 2 (8 th grade) Social Teaching, Commandments, Beatitudes, Beginning of Life Great Commandments Level 3 (10 th /11 th Most Catholic Social Teaching Forming Conscience, Church Confirmation Year) (except –not preferential option Teaching, Annulments for the poor, which is foundational to Catholic Social Teaching), Fasting, Sin Prayer Level 1 Why we pray, Prayer to Mary Types of Prayer, Wording of Prayer (such as the Lord’s Prayer) Prayers at Mass Level 2 What prayer is, Adoration Types of prayer, Expressions of Prayer Level 3 Rosary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Types of Prayer

Cognitive Communal Life Strengths Weaknesses Level 1 (5 th grade) Concrete grasp of communal life Prayers at Mass, Creed, Language (diocese, share faith) Level 2 (8 th grade) Leader of the Catholic Church Understanding of Communal Life, Meaning of Catholic (universal), Faith, Unity Level 3 (10 th /11 th Role of Mary, Church and World Catholic Teaching on the Role of Confirmation Year) the Pope, Four Marks of the Church (Apostolic) Church Mission, Magisterium Missionary Spirit Level 1 Very few questions in NA NA this area because children are still very concrete in thinking Level 2 Call to Discipleship Connection to Scripture Level 3 Role of Catholicism in Society Vocation rooted in Baptism, Evangelization and Connection to Everyday Life

— Observations — Challenges — Recommendations

Recommendations — Form, Build Community, Prioritize Youth, Go Forth- — What connections can we make with catechetical ministry? Adult Faith Formation — — RCIA — Children and Youth Religious Education — Parents of Children in Religious Education K-12 — Forming Parish Catechists for children, youth, adults, RCIA, Marriage Preparation