Questions To Ask When Evaluating Models For Adolescent Catechesis

Organization

1. Is our parish adolescent catechesis systematic and intentional?
2. In what ways does our parish provide youth faith formation through Scripture, prayer, community and service?
3. Does our parish reach out to involve all its adolescents? Which groups of adolescents are not included or invited?
4. Does our parish invite adolescents to plan and evaluate their programs?
5. Does the whole parish community support our adolescent catechesis? Who needs to get onboard and how do we make that happen?
6. Does your parish have someone who is qualified and available to coordinate adolescent catechesis?

Personnel

1. How many catechists, youth ministers, volunteers, and other personnel will our program require to be effective? Where will we find any additional personnel?
2. Do our catechists model mature Christian faith?
3. Do our catechists demonstrate these qualities of genuine love for our adolescents?
4. Do our catechists relate catechesis to the stages of adolescent development?
5. Do our catechists have the skills to employ a variety of catechetical methods?
6. Do our catechists know the content of catechesis?
7. Do our catechists continue their education, skill development and faith formation?
8. Does your parish have someone who is qualified and available to form catechists?

Environment

1. Do the settings of our adolescent catechesis nurture positive self-concepts and fruitful relationships?
2. Does our parish utilize each aspect of an adolescent's world (culture) for catechesis?
3. Does our parish integrate the adolescent into all aspects of its life?
4. Does our parish use environments that allow a variety of learning experiences?
5. Are the place and times of adolescent catechesis accessible and reasonable?

Curriculum

1. Does our curriculum meet the various needs of adolescents?
2. Is our curriculum plan comprehensive and continuous?
3. Does our parish help its adolescents develop the skills necessary for mature Christian living?
4. Does our parish help its youth to grasp and articulate religious beliefs?
5. Is our curriculum rooted in Christ and the Church?
6. Does our curriculum nurture affective, cognitive, and behavioral faith?

Methodology

1. Do our catechetical methodologies address various learning styles?
2. Are our catechetical methodologies appropriate to the stages of adolescence?
3. Do our catechetical methodologies integrate adolescent faith and life?
4. Do our catechetical methodologies allow open and free discussion?

Family/Parental Involvement

1. Does our catechesis enable adolescents to be responsible family members?
2. Does our parish listen to and involve parents and families in evaluating and planning adolescent catechesis?

Bibliography

Catechesi Tradendae: On Catechesis in Our Time (John Paul II, October 16, 1979)

The Challenge of Adolescent Catechesis: Maturing in Faith (Washington, D.C.: National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, 1986)

General Directory for Catechesis (Sacred Congregation for the Clergy, 1997)

Ministries Growing Together. Gleason, Kenneth T. et al. (Winona, Minnesota, Saint Mary's Press, 1992)

Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry (Washington, D.C.: National Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1997)

Sharing the Light of Faith: National Catechetical Directory for Catholics of the United States (Washington, D.C.: National Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1978)