Programs

The Church "needs to consider as its primary task the preparation and formation of catechists in the deep riches of the faith."

General Directory for Catechesis (GDC) #33

The GDC lists three dimensions that must be at the heart of catechist formation; being, knowing and savior-faire. (GDC#238)

"Being" is the first and deepest dimension, referring to the human and Christian aspects of the person. It focuses on the catechist as a person of faith and on how he or she lives.
"Knowing", the second dimension identifies two kinds of knowledge: 1. knowledge of the message being transmitted and 2. sufficient knowledge of those to whom the message is transmitted and to the social context of their lives.
"Saviour-faire", the third dimension is concerned with the method: knowing how to communicate the message in a way that is effective with various groups and in numerous settings.

Catechist formation is seen as a priority in the diocese. The Catechetical office offers the above three dimensions in formation programs for catechists. Two ongoing formation programs are Emmaus Travellers for parish coordinators and Echoes of Faith for catechists. Other formation opportunities continue to be provided for catechists.

GOALS OF THE EMMAUS TRAVELLER FORMATION PROGRAM FOR COORDINATORS:

to provide support and encouragement to parish religious education and youth ministry co-ordinators in their ministry
to provide an environment and experience that will nurture their faith development
to introduce skills, techniques and resources to enable co-ordinators in their ministry

Click below and you will find more information on the Emmaus Traveller program information:

Emmaus Information

Echoes of Faith
answers the four questions all new Catechists ask

1. WHOM AM I?
   Videos:        Getting Started
                Roles of the Catechist
                The Person of the Catechist
2. WHAT DO I TEACH?
    Videos:        I Believe/We Believe
                Liturgy and Sacraments
                Catholic Morality
                Prayer and Spirituality
                Introduction to the Scriptures
3. HOW DO I TEACH?
    Videos:        Methods for Years 1 and 2
                Methods for Years 3 and 4
                Methods for Years 5 and 6
                Methods for Years 7 and 8
4. WHO DO I TEACH?
    Video:        Introduction to the Learner

Click below for more information on Echoes of Faith.

Echoes of Faith Information
Echoes of Faith Registration Info - Fredericton Region 2006-07
Echoes of Faith Registration Info - Saint John Region 2006-07

Fredericton Region Echoes of Faith Group
2003-2004

For other retreat opportunities visit the Villa Madonna Website. Villa Madonna Retreat House is a Christian Retreat and Conference Centre owned and supported by the Catholic Diocese of Saint John.

There is an annual weekend catechist retreat in our diocese. The themes are varied. The Retreat weekend is an invitation for you to come and journey with Jesus. You will be encouraged to examine your life by reflecting on Scripture, using Contemplation and Meditation, Journaling and participating in Sharing Circles. It will be an opportunity for you to recognize the presence of Jesus in your life experiences and to share your "Sacred Journey" in an atmosphere of acceptance and trust.
Considering attending the next retreat weekend?
We have placed photos on the right from our past retreats. Also, below you can click and read about our upcoming retreat and comments from two catechists.

Plan to attend our next retreat.

CatechistRetreat 2006
Catechist Retreat 2005
Catechist Comments 1 - "Six reasons to attend a Catechist Retreat"
Catechist Comments 2 - "For the First Time"
Catechist Comments 3 - "A Catechist comments on the 2005 Retreat"

The Atlantic Catechetical Association (ACA) is pleased and excited to introduce a new resource to the Church in Atlantic Canada. This resource, Christian Community and Catechesis (Module 1) is now available to parishes.

It has been designed for the entire parish as an aid to understanding the role and nature of catechesis and the responsibility of all in the community to pass on their faith.
Christian Community and Catechesis will be provided to parishes in a CD format which contains the Facilitator's Guide, Participant's Resource, Suggested Prayers and Facilitator's Skills.

The resource was piloted in some parishes in the diocese and workshops on how to facilitate it have been provided.

Catechist Formation Initiative pilot at Sts. John & Paul Parish in New Maryland, NB

Fr. Bill Brennan and Retreatant (2006)

Prayer Centre (2006)

Catechist Retreat (Social 2006)

Catechist Retreat 2006

Every year our diocese provides formation that meets the needs of catechists. Each year it is varied on its approach with workshops, inservices on year level programs etc. There is always something new and each year catechists benefit from many new ideas and support in their ministry.

In September 2006, 65 catechists travelled from all areas of the Diocese to attend the Diocesan Catechist Workshop
entitled "Families & Parish Communities:
Partners in Faith Formation" with Rev. Bill Brennan & Rev. John Jennings engaging the group with personal stories and faith sharing throughout the day . Many thanks to the host parish, St. Theresa's Parish in Fredericton.

These Workshops are of interest to:
Parish coordinators & catechists for children & youth
Families
Pastors
Pastoral Associates
All are Welcome.

Flyer for 2006 workshop, click here.

Engaging our Young People:

Working Together to Create Youth Friendly Parishes

Catechists from all over the diocese gathered with Neil McCarthy on November 2, 2006 at St. Theresa's Parish in Fredericton. Those who attended joined in conversations and sharing centering around the questions:

Who are the partners in the faith formation of our parish youth?
What is a youth friendly parish?
What are some of the ways to develop ministry to, with and for youth in a parish community?

Updated: February 24, 2011

Atlantic Catechetical Conference
Plenty Good Room
Extending the Hospitality of God
June 1-3, 2007
Hosted By The Diocese of Antigonish

The organizers demonstrated hospitality as a sign of God's love and made sure everyone had "Plenty Good Room". Facilitators, Monica Brown and Hilary Musgrave invited participants to open their hearts and minds to be nourished at the conference. It was a time to be fed, a time to give thanks, and a time to praise God for the gift of many blessings.
Catechists from our Diocese took advantage of this conference to renew and re-commit their energies to the catechetical ministry.
The next Atlantic Catechetical Conference will be hosted by the Archdiocese of St. John's in 2009.

49th International Eucharistic Congress

"The Eucharist, Gift of God for the Life of the World"

June 15-22, 2008
Quebec City

The 2008 International Eucharistic Congress was a gathering of the Universal Church to celebrate the Living Christ. It was an invitation by the host church in Quebec to the Universal Church to gather for a unique time of prayer, reflection and commitment.

Detailed information can be found on the website http://www.cei2008.ca

Opportunities for Formation for Catechists & Youth Ministry Leaders
***Check these opportunities out***

St. Francis Xavier University, Ministry Programs,
Canadian Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies (CCYMS): CCYMS is a training program for adults in ministry with youth, aged 10-19, in parish, school and community settings. It equips leaders with practical tools and techniques needed for creative and comprehensive youth ministry. This eight-course professional training program is of interest to:

Youth Ministry Coordinators
Volunteer Youth Ministers
Pastors and Pastoral Workers
Teachers, Guidance Counselors & Parents
High School Chaplains & Campus Ministers

St. Francis Xavier University works in collaboration with the Centre for Ministry Development [<http://secure.cmdnet.org/Index.cfm>] and Canadian Ministry Support Services, as the Eastern Canadian site offering courses in the CCYMS program. Participants in this training program come to campus each summer to take part in one, two or three courses offered in a one-week period [a minimum of 14 hours of on-site instruction per course is required]. Reading and assignments are completed at home and submitted for marking. The program is highly regarded throughout Canada and the United States and may be taken for personal enrichment or for credit toward a Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies. The courses are offered on a rotating basis over three summer sessions per cycle.
For details, go to www.stfx.ca/academic/continuinged/Ministry-Youth.html or contact the Program Office to receive an information package, 1-877-867-5562.

Saint Paul University- Summer Institutes
Summer Institute in Religious Education
This institute has been designed in response to the Church's invitation in the General Directory for Catechesis to create a national level of context for systematic catechetical formation offered by trained specialists.
Summer Institute In Religious Education - non degree granting program
The aim of the Summer Institute in religious Education is to further the ministry of catechesis and religious education in the Church. The Institute intends to assist parents, parish catechists, directors of religious education, sacramental team members, leaders and facilitators of adult faith education, RCIA teams, and teachers of religion in schools to acquire the skills and the competence to teach a Christian life of faith and to communicate the Church's faith tradition.
Participants normally take three courses per summer. The completion over three summers of five core courses, four electives, and the practicum modules, leads to a Pastoral Certificate in Religious Education (Certificate of attendance given by the Faculty of Theology). Courses can also be taken for university level credits.
Courses may vary according to the scheduling needs and the interests of the participants.
Summer Institute in Pastoral Liturgy
Responding to Vatican 11 and the Church's call for ongoing liturgical renewal, this institute provides training and resources for preparing, leading and evaluating the liturgical activity of the Church.
Summer Institute In Pastoral Liturgy - non degree granting program
The Summer Institute in Pastoral Liturgy (SIPL) has been established in close cooperation with the National Liturgical Office of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB). The aim of the Institute is to enable those who prepare, lead, and evaluate the liturgical activity of the Church to become more familiar with the various liturgical rites of the Church and develop skills useful for liturgical ministry.
Participants normally take three courses per summer. The completion over three summers of six core courses, three electives, and the practicum modules, leads to a Pastoral Certificate in Liturgy (Certificate of attendance given by the Faculty of Theology). Courses can also be taken for university level credits.
Information: Tel. 613-236-1393,ext.2247
E-mail:theology@ustpaul.ca

Catechist Retreat 2011

Living into the Presence of God: Learning from the Celts
Retreat Guide: Becky McKenna CND

Living into the Presence of God:
Learning from the Celts
The Celts had a great sense of the proximity of God within the ordinary circumstances of their lives and developed numerous practices to help them deepen their relationship with the great mystery of life that surrounded them.
During this retreat we will recall some of the attitudes and practices of the Celtic Christians so that we may deepen our own consciousness of Presence and awaken our personal response to God.

Fr. John Jennings and Retreatants 2007