Six characteristics of a successful catechist
Photo from Photos.comWhat’s the secret to becoming a successful catechist or teacher? Make room for the Holy Spirit! Here are six ways to do that.
Pray
Pray that you will be animated by the gifts of the Spirit. Pray for your fellow learners, that they will experience Christ.
Prepare
Know your diocesan requirements. Review what your textbook’s teacher manual offers. Gather all the materials offered by your principal or director of religious education. Check out textbook publisher websites. Remember the goal of all catechesis is an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
Know how your learners learn best: how much verbal, how much artistic, how much physical movement, how much technology? How should you pray together to invite a relationship between your learners and Christ?
Now return to your materials, and, trusting the Spirit’s guidance, select those offerings of activity, prayer, story, teaching, dialogue, art, and music that will hand on Christ and the church. Prepare your plan.
Organize
Organize your meeting space, your materials, and your technology. Create a prayer space that echoes the symbols of the liturgy. Gather CDs and DVDs or videos. Gather the supplies needed for an activity, and arrange them for easy use.
Reflect
Consider what you learned during this period of preparation. What is new information? What filled you with hope, possibility, and energy? What makes you anxious? What do you need to do to allay that anxiety? How has the Lord spoken to you during this preparation?
Practice
Do a dry run of the activity. Walk through the prayer, especially if you are using movement and sacred objects. Practice aloud any reading you will be doing. Then practice again. Focus on those things you are anxious about. Use a family member or friend to be your practice audience.
Pray
Pray again. Sit quietly with the Lord and all that you have planned. Pray for the Spirit’s gifts to be abundant, for your learning community to be open, and for you to be an instrument of the presence of Christ. These people are entrusted to your care, and they are God’s beloved. Pause in gratitude for the wonder of that gift. Ask for God’s spirit to work through you. May you have great success!
Catechist self-evaluation guide
Catechists and teachers of faith are echoers of God’s World. Your “echoing” ministry will improve if you take stock of how you are doing. Plan for an encounter with Jesus by opening one or more of the following “doorways”:
The Doorway of the Word Jesus is present in the Word. How well was Christ introduced through encounters with the Scriptures? How well was he illuminated by our body of teaching?
The Doorway of Worship Jesus is really present to us when the community gathers to pray. Reflect on the number and variety of ways you prayed together. You give many chances for Christ to be known!
The Doorway of Community Jesus is present among us when we are gathered in his name. How did the way we taught influence how we treat each other? Did our catechesis lead to respect for our diversity, welcoming of strangers, and caring for the sick?
The Doorway of Service Jesus is present in our service to others. St. James tells us faith without works is dead (2:14). When you plan your service work for the year, remember that in so doing, you help others make the kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.
For each doorway you open for others this year, you will give a chance to meet the Risen Christ. Assess continuously, and know that through your prayer, preparation, practice, and perseverance, you give others the opportunity to meet Christ. And that is successful catechesis!
Jesus, the teacher
Jesus grew in wisdom and knowledge throughout his life. He provides catechists and teachers a wonderful role model for the need for ongoing formation. There are many ways to deepen and broaden your faith journey, from participating in certification programs, to attending conferences and workshops, to doing self-guided reading/study. If you are looking for a place to begin, St. Jerome tells us that ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 133). Scripture is the foundation for all catechesis (National Directory for Catechesis, 70), so this is always a good place to grow in wisdom and knowledge.
Jesus prayed and taught us to pray. Work with your liturgy committee, attend a workshop on liturgical prayer, or seek resources that will teach you how to lead prayer. Learn about ritual flow, symbols, words, and gestures. Become familiar with liturgical formats; practice prayer that includes gesture and ritual objects.
Jesus was inspired. And so may the Holy Spirit inspire you during this year. Christ desires your heart to be burning, your head to be full of knowledge of the Lord, and your hands to be ready to lovingly hold these entrusted to you. Sit among those earthen vessels, each with a sacred name. Be part of the holy ground on which you dwell together. For through you the World is made flesh…and dwells among us.
Debbie Stollery holds a master’s degree in communication and a certificate of advanced studies in pastoral ministry. She serves part-time on the staff of the Diocese of Richmond as a consultant for leadership development. She is a writer, frequent workshop presenter, keynote speaker, and storyteller.
