Who Is a Catechetical Leader? According to the National Directory for Catechesis the Bishops are primarily responsible for catechesis. They share this responsibility with the pastor, priests, permanent deacons, women and men religious, and other lay parish ministers. For our purpose, when we talk about Catechetical Leaders we are referring to the lay men and women who exercise a catechetical leadership role in a parish or Catholic school setting. In the Archdiocese of Chicago catechetical leaders include the following depending on their level of responsibilities and their education.  DRE Parish Directors of Religious Education/Catechesis/Faith Formation Pastoral Associates with overall catechetical responsibilities may serve as a DRE  CRE Parish Coordinators of Religious Education/Catechesis/Faith Formation Parish Adult Faith Formation Leaders Parish Youth Ministry Coordinators Pastoral Associates with partial catechetical responsibilities may serve as a CRE Catholic School Principals Catholic School Religion Coordinators High School Campus Ministers  Master Catechist Master Catechists are identified and recognized by the diocesan catechetical office and assist in training and mentoring other catechists.  Parish Director of Religious Education or Catechesis  The Director of Religious Education (DRE) has the pastor’s delegated responsibility and authority to develop and implement a plan for lifelong comprehensive and systematic catechesis. This responsibility may be exercised in collaboration with parish staff members who share the responsibility for catechesis. The parish Director of Religious Education is “the person who organizes and directs the program of lifelong faith formation for all parishioners under the direction of the pastor and in collaboration with the pastoral staff.” (National Certification Standards for Lay Ecclesial Ministers serving as Parish Catechetical Leaders,USCCB, p. 16) In large parishes the DRE responsibilities may be shared by more than one DRE.   Parish Coordinator of Religious Education or Catechesis  The pastor has the responsibility for the pastoral care of his parish and for developing a comprehensive plan for lifelong systematic catechesis in his parish. In parishes where the pastor has hired a DRE, he may also hire one or more Coordinators of Religious Education or Parish Catechetical Ministers to assist in the ministry of catechesis. However, in the absence of a certified DRE, the pastor actively assumes the responsibility to direct the religious education of the parish. To assist him he may employ a Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE). The Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE), under the direction and supervision of the pastor, coordinates and implements specific catechetical programs from early childhood to adult as designated by the pastor. This responsibility must be exercised in collaboration with parish staff members who share the responsibility for catechesis. Portrait of Today’s Catechetical Leader "Where else can my faith and my work come together and be so combined? My position as a Catechetical Leader is both a blessing and a gift to me." Mary Nelson, Catechetical Leader St. Philip the Apostle, Northfield, IL Nurturing the faith life and education of all Christians is an essential part of our mission as a Church. This important parish ministry requires leaders who are enthusiastic, faith-filled people. Catechetical Leaders should also possess a strong theological and catechetical background. The Office for Catechesis and Youth Ministry (OFCYM) offers a range of services to potential catechetical leaders, from discernment to placement, orientation and ongoing formation. If you are interested in working as a catechetical leader or would like to know more about the ministry, please contact: Coordinator for Certification and Ministerial Development Office for Catechesis 1025 West Fry Street Chicago, IL 60622 ( (312) 243-3700 fax (312) 243-3801 e-mail:awroblicky@archchicago.org Click here for information about the Placement Process for Catechetical Leaders in the Archdiocese of Chicago For information about Basic Catechetical Leadership Formation, contact The Office for Catechesis