How Leaders Can Support New Catholic Students & First Time Catechists

Summer is underway, but Parish Catechetical Leaders and Directors of Religious Education are likely thinking about and planning for the start of regular religious education classes beginning in late summer or early fall. In this article you'll discover resources for supporting new Catholic students, first time catechists, and novice DREs.

 Download a helpful Eight Tips to Successfully Catching Students Up eBook now!

Download the Catechist Training Workshop now!

Each year, Parish Catechetical Leaders and Directors of Religious Education inevitably encounter a student who has missed a year, or a number of years, of Religious Education. They also very likely have a team of catechists that includes new volunteers who have no to limited experience. Determining the amount of support and faith formation that new program participants will need, and responding flexibly with the right program and the best resources for these participants, can be a yearly challenge. To welcome and support new students and first-time catechists with their varying degrees of formation and experience, the Parish Catechetical Leader needs flexible and helpful resources.

Catching Catholic Students Up

Resource 1: Tips for Every Director of Catholic Religious Education

Download a helpful Eight Tips to Successfully Catching Students Up eBook to welcome such students into the parish community while ensuring they have the foundation that they need. Written from the perspective of a Director of Religious Education with firsthand experience of meeting with and engaging new families, keeping the channels of communication open, and choosing the right catechetical programs, the eBook provides eight practical tips for successfully catching up new students.

The eBook is available in English and Spanish.

Resource 2: Basic Beliefs Programs

An effective tool for students fourth through sixth grades with limited religious education, Our Catholic Faith is a single-volume text that provides an excellent summary of essential Catholic belief through easy to understand lessons. Our Catholic Faith allows students to learn their Catholic faith through stories and activities that connect their lives to content, teachings from the Catechism of the Catholic Church with assessments to monitor progress and enrichment materials on Scripture, the sacraments, the liturgical year, prayers and practices, the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and more. This text also can be used as remote preparation for the sacraments.

For older students (beginning in grade 7) and adults, One Faith, One Lord helps develop knowledge of basic Catholic beliefs. Like Our Catholic Faith, this catch-up program is a single volume text that presents fundamental beliefs and practices of the Catholic faith. An introduction for those who have minimal religious education, it offers support for developing and assessing readiness for the Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist and a review for Confirmation candidates, adults in RCIA, and catechist training programs. Chapters present the three key doctrinal points and incorporate the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Preparing New Catechists

Resource 1: Catechist Training Workshop

The start of a new year of religious education is an opportunity not only to form students in the faith but also to form catechists! Volunteer catechists that will begin to give their time and share their faith with the children in your religious education program may be catechists for the very first time. As directors and leaders plan for a new year for the students, consider offering a Catechist Training Workshop to new, returning, and veteran catechists.

Directors of Religious Education know that effective catechists are a crucial component of running an effective religious education program. Help ensure that volunteers, who are giving up their time to help share the Gospel message with the children in your program, are well prepared and well informed for the journey ahead. Download a helpful outline to offer a workshop to help give your catechists tools they will need as they begin a new year of religious education.

This Catechist Training Workshop is written for the Director of Religious Education who serves as workshop leader. It includes four sessions incorporating prayer, Catholic teaching and doctrine, methods and management, and reflection. It invites catechists with varying levels of expertise to share their experiences to help and inspire all those who will give their time to the young disciples in your program this year.

Download available in English and Spanish.

Resource 2: Tips for First Time Catechists

The Nine Tips for First Time Catechists eBook is another preparation resource, but it is written for the new catechist. It offers nine simple tips and hints for a brand-new catechist who may be both excited and nervous about taking on a new role. Each manageable tip will prepare and assure first time catechists before they get started. Support new catechists in your religious education program by sharing the Nine Tips for First Time Catechists eBook.

The eBook is available in English and Spanish.

Becoming a Director of Religious Education

Resource 1: Ten Tips for New DREs

Are you new to religious education? Written for those who are new to this leadership role, the Ten Tips for New DREs eBook was compiled by a novice DRE and includes ten beginner tips written to especially support new parish catechetical leaders.

The eBook is available in English and Spanish.

Resource 2: Ideas to Bring Catholic Religious Education to Life

Whether your Catholic Religious Education program is just gearing up again or you are looking for new ideas to invigorate your existing program, this exclusive eBook will offer inspiration with fifteen tips for bringing Religious Education to Life. The ideas in the 15 Ideas to Bring Catholic Religious Education to Life eBook will be invaluable for new parish catechetical leaders.

The eBook is available in English and Spanish.