The Office for Religious Education of the
Archdiocese of Chicago is pleased to offer catechetical leaders this greatly expanded Curriculum
Guide to Fostering Faith. Several words about using the Guide are in
order.
The material presented under each topic of Fostering Faith is
intended to be what its name declares, that is, a guide. Presenters should see the
material less as a prescription for each session than as a resource for constructing
formation sessions which both meet the specific needs of catechists and root them in the
"hierarchy of truths," the essentials of Catholic teaching. The more important
aspects demand greater time and attention; other aspects may become important because of
issues arising within your particular catechetical program; some supporting themes within
the topic may be given lighter treatment or even only mentioned. The Guide plays
the role of "cookbook" in your preparation, with each session’s material
supplying an ideal but adaptable recipe for creating presentations which are both
foundational and suited to your catechists’ actual needs.
Chances are that no two-hour presentation will use all the
material given for a session. The amount of material is intended to allow a presenter the
flexibility to emphasize different aspects of each topic within a range of basic content.
The presenter will find material here that contributes to the formation of catechists who
are just beginning to work out an articulation of their faith, as well as catechists who
come with a more developed understanding.
Before you begin using the Curriculum Guide, take a few
moments to walk through its components. Fostering Faith is divided into eight topics:
Catechesis, Scripture, Theology, Moral Life, Sacrament, Prayer, Church, and Liturgy.
Catechist certification requires that six hours of formation be received in each of the
eight topic areas, for a total of forty-eight hours. In the Guide the topics are
divided into sessions envisioned to last about two hours. (It is recommended that the
fourth sessions on "The Last Things" under Theology and on "Mary and the
Saints" under Church be combined with their respective topic’s third sessions.)
Each session has the following components.
Session Description
This brief sketch is meant to provide an idea of the substance of
the session at a glance, as well as a succinct reminder of the focus to be maintained in
developing the session.
Themes
The short descriptions survey as it were the "chapter
headings" of the session as a way of indicating the different aspects of the subject
to be covered.
Focusing the Session
This paragraph speaks to the rationale for presenting this
material and unfolds in more detail the essence of what is to be taught in formation. It
may also show the interconnection between the themes or give a sense of the priorities
among them to be noted.
Instructional Objectives
Without giving a lesson plan or suggesting specific methods, this
list proposes a general description of the active "means" of doing the
formation. Its stress is on verbs which describe the mode rather than the content of the
formation: "In conducting this session the facilitator will … present
techniques… provide examples … offer criteria … model methods …,"
etc.
Catechist Competencies
This list proposes the basic "ends" in the area of the
catechist’s practical understanding or "know-how" for which the presenter
will strive in constructing the session. Again the stress is on the verbs which describe
the skills rather than the content of catechesis: "As a result of this session, the
catechist will be able to ¼ articulate the importance … discuss the major points
… trace the connection … describe the implications …," etc.
Special Points from the Documents
This section lists a few major points of interest in the
documentary tradition from which we draw apostolic guidance and support for catechetical
ministry. Primary focus is on the documents of Vatican II, the encyclicals of Popes Paul
VI and John Paul II, the General Catechetical Directory issued from Rome in 1971,
the U.S. Bishops’ 1978 document on catechesis, Sharing the Light of Faith:
National Catechetical Directory (shortened in the references to Sharing) and
the Catechism of the Catholic Church (abbreviated in the references as CCC).
The list is suggestive rather than exhaustive and should be supplemented by the
presenter’s own discoveries in reading the documents.
Documentary References
This part gives wider contexts for researching the topic among the
documents just mentioned. These longer passages give the framework within which formation
is given and should be part of the presenter’s long range preparation for the
session. In passing it should be noted that in order to ensure the soundness and depth of
the formation its catechists receive, parishes should make a priority of providing its
leaders with access to the Church’s catechetical documents, which are readily and
inexpensively available. (See the updated bibliography in the Resources section of Fostering
Faith.)
Scripture Contexts
These references offer a resource for grounding the session in the
images and teachings of the Bible. Pope John Paul and the U.S. Bishops have called for
catechists who are thoroughly familiar with Scripture. These references offer a means for
formation to model a way of catechesis which is "impregnated and penetrated by the
thought, spirit and outlook of the Bible." Use the texts for pre-assigned readings,
for exercises during the session, or for weaving Scripture into the presentation as guide
and support for the approach to a given topic.
Suggested Participant Resources
A few sessions call for materials to be supplied as aids to the
learning process.
Finally, notice should be taken of the expanded bibliographies
which are part of this revision of Fostering Faith. The Primary Bibliography
lists the Church’s documents since Vatican II which have a bearing on catechetical
ministry. The Secondary Bibliography lists and annotates new works as well as most works
which appeared in previous bibliographies.
