All Catechists receive a subscription to "Catechist," a monthly publication for catechists with educational articles, lessons, crafts and activities, and other helpful information. We hole four Catechist In-Services during the course of the Catechetical Year (August, October, February, and May). During the course of these In-Services, all catechists will receive on-going formation on the Catholic faith and catechetical practices. First-time catechists and new catechists will meet with the DRE prior to the start of the Catechetical Year for initial training and resourcing. Additionally, throughout the year, the DRE serves as a resource to all catechists in whatever capacity is needed. If you are interested in becoming a Catechist of a Catechist's Aide, please fill out the Catechetical Ministry Application.
Catechists
What is a Catechist?
A catechist is more than just a CCD teacher. The root of the words "catechesis" and "catechist" means to echo, and so the task of a catechist is to re-echo the teachings of Jesus Christ, which come to us through the official teaching of his Church. Catechists participate in the divine calling to teach as Jesus did and to witness to the truth of the faith. In addition to teaching the Diocesan curriculum, the National Directory for Catechesis lists the following as characteristics of a catechist (pg. 229):
- A love of God--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--and of Christ's Church, our Holy Father, and God's holy people
- A coherence and authenticity of life that is characterized by their faithful practice of the faith in a spirit of faith, charity, hope, courage, and joy
- Personal prayer and dedication to the evangelizing mission of the Church
- A missionary zeal by which they are fully convinced of the truth of the Catholic faith and enthusiastically proclaim it
- Active participation in their local parish community, especially by attendance at Sunday Eucharist
- A devotion to Mary, the first disciple and the model of catechists, and to the Most Holy Eucharist, the source of nourishment for catechists
Formation and Resources for Catechists
Below is a list of extremely helpful websites for creating exciting catechetical lessons:
- Catechism of the Catholic Church - www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm - A search engine for the Catechism of the Catholic Church so you can master the topic you are teaching
- That Resource Site - www.thatresourcesite.com - Free printables for Catholic homeschoolers and teachers
- Catholic Catechist - www.catholiccatechist.org - Providing Catholic resources to religious educators, including lots of free files
- Catholic Mom - www.catholicmom.com - A blog site that also includes lots of activities and lesson plans
- Catechist Cafe - http://catechistcafe.weebly.com/ - A place to share ideas for seasons, saints, sacraments, and scirpture
E-Spirituality for Catechists
Forms and Paperwork for Catechists
- Lesson Plan Template
- Request for Copies
- Request for a Substitute
- Supply Requisition Form
- Conduct Notice
Required Clearances for all Volunteers
VIRTUS Account Creation and VIRTUS Training
- Visit the Safe Environment page on the diocesan website to create an account and complete the online training in either English or Spanish.
- If you completed VIRTUS in a different diocese you can transfer or mirror your account by emailing a request to the VIRTUS online help desk (helpdesk@virtus.org). Please include your full name, email address, original diocese and new diocese, your new parish / school, plus a phone number in case they need to contact you.
- VIRTUS training is valid for five years. An online recertification module is required every five years to maintain compliance.
- Aside from VIRTUS, child/vulnerable adult protection in-service or online courses from other agencies, employers, dioceses, Scouts, etc., are not valid for compliance in the Diocese of Youngstown.
Authorization & Verification and Acknowledgement Form (Appendix 9)
- Visit the Safe Environment page on the diocesan websiteto review an electronic copy of the Safe Environment Policy.
- After you have reviewed this policy, print a copy of Appendix 9. Both pages must be completed, and the document requires a witness signature for validity. The witness can be anyone.
- The original must be submitted to the Compliance Officer at your parish, school, or institution. The Compliance Officer will forward a copy to the diocesan Safe Environment Coordinator.
- Appendix 9 may not be edited. If any lines of text are removed, crossed off, or altered, the document is not valid for compliance.
Fingerprinting and Background Checks
- Visit the Safe Environment page on the diocesan websiteto review our background check requirements, codes, and instructions, a background check location finder, and a list of criminal offenses that automatically disqualify an applicant from working with children or vulnerable adults.
- A BCI or BCI/FBI background check is required for compliance. In extraordinary circumstances, the Office of Safe Environment reserves the right to alter background check requirements for individuals, unless the requirements are stipulated by the State of Ohio. This includes the right to require background checks from other background check providers besides the Civilian Identification Office.
- Background checks are valid for five years and must be renewed to maintain compliance.
- The Civilian Identification Office must send the BCI and/or FBI background check results directly to the Office of Safe Environment at the Diocese. This needs to be communicated to the person doing the background check: Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, Attn: Office of Safe Environment, 144 West Wood Street, Youngstown, OH 44503
- If background check results are sent to the wrong location, they are not valid for compliance. Additionally, background checks completed for other agencies, employers, dioceses, public schools, certifications, etc., or in other States, are not valid for compliance in the Diocese of Youngstown.