RECORD-KEEPING OF CATECHIST FORMATION EXPERIENCES
Forms Used in the Formation and Certification Process

The following links consist of samples or masters of the forms designed to assist the parish catechetical leader in implementing Fostering Faith.  These forms are available on request from the Office for Catechesis and are provided in each Fostering Faith Manual. They are provided here for your convenience to allow you to do all of your catechist formation record-keeping on your computer. Simply click on any of the links below, type in your information, and save it to your own hard-drive. Any of the "Application" forms must be printed out, signed by the catechetical leader, and sent in to the Office for Catechesis (no e-mail applications for certification will be accepted)

Note to Word 2000 users

The Catechist’s Formation Log should be distributed to catechists when the certification process is introduced or is initiated for the current year. This log is kept by the catechist. She or he should use this form to keep track of all formation experiences. It is designed to help the catechist keep a focus on the formation and certification process as well as keep a balance among its various topics. It also provides a check for keeping parish records accurate and up-to-date.

The Catechist Certification Record Card is the permanent record of a catechist’s hours of formation. Catechetical leaders are responsible for keeping this record in the catechist’s file at the parish. Besides documenting the catechist’s formation, it is the reference point for requesting certificates of Recognition or Certification, or Formation Seals, from the Office for Catechesis. The Office for Catechesis accepts the word of the catechetical leader that a catechist has received the formation recorded on her or his card. Like a transcript, the card also provides the necessary information for transferring certification and formation credit to another parish or diocese. It is recommended that Catechetical Leaders save a copy of the blank Catechist Certification Record Card to your hard drive and then, using that blank one as a "template," create and save individuals files for each catechist.  A photocopy of this Catechist Certification Record Card is to be sent along with application for catechist certification.

The Record of Formation Form is for the use of catechists who attend formation events outside the parish. Copies are given to catechists, who fill them out after the event. They then return them to the catechetical leader who transfers the information to the Catechist Certification Record Card.

The Recognition Application Form is to be filled out by the catechetical leader for catechists who have completed twenty-four (24) hours of formation. When the form is sent to the Office for Catechesis, Certificates of Recognition are forwarded to the catechetical leader for distribution.

The Certification Application Form is to be filled out by the catechetical leader for catechists who have completed forty-eight (48) hours of formation, six hours in each of the eight topic categories of Fostering Faith. When the form is sent to the Office for Catechesis, along with a photocopy of the catechist’s Certification Record Card, Certificates of Certification are forwarded to the catechetical leader for distribution.

The Formation Seals Application Form is to be filled out by the catechetical leader for catechists who have completed twelve (12) hours of additional formation beyond certification. When the form is sent to the Office for Catechesis, the seals are forwarded to the catechetical leader for distribution.

The Transfer of Catechist Formation Record Form is to be given to catechists who wish to receive credit for formation received as catechists in another parish. The form is filled out and signed by the catechist and submitted to the catechetical leader at the former parish.