Catechist formation classes will begin Oct. 3

Friday, Sep. 11, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — Teaching the Catholic faith to children can seem to be an imposing task; the Diocese of Salt Lake City offers a six-month course that provides the training needed to easily and accurately respond to those inquiring minds.

The course employs the “Echoes of Faith Plus” series developed by the National Conference of Catechetical Leadership and produced by RCL Benziger, which “is gold standard for English-speaking catechist formation,” said Susan Northway, director of the diocesan Office of Religious Education. “That’s why we use that.”

The classes will be taught by Dorothy Simpson, a parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes (Magna), who “has worked with the Echoes of Faith program for many years in its various stages of development,” Northway said.

Simpson is a certified lay ecclesial minister and served for many years as the director of religious education at Saints Peter and Paul Parish. She said that she has found that those who participate in the Echoes of Faith program “feel much more confident that they can walk into a classroom and not be afraid” because the program puts concepts such as the sacraments “in understandable language that you can teach young people using this textbook, using the knowledge that you have, along with the tools that it provides.”

The diocese requires that those who teach the faith be certified as a basic catechist, which means that they have 36-48 hours preparation in specific areas, Northway said; the Echoes of Faith program fulfills this requirement.

In addition to catechists, the program could benefit “a person who thinks they might want to be a catechist … because they would be able to discern a lot about whether or not that’s their calling just by going to these classes,” Northway said.

The Echoes of Faith program is divided into three modules. The first two cover the role of the catechist and methods of teaching. The third delves into theology, including the Apostles’ Creed, liturgical aspects of the faith, the sacraments, Catholic morality, the Scriptures, the life of Jesus and prayer.

Learning materials include a handbook and CDs. Simpson, who has been conducting catechetical formation throughout the diocese since 2009, said she often uses small-group discussion in the classes as well.

Learning teaching methods is important, Simpson said, because the students come from a wide range of backgrounds and “we have to be able to reach each person with compassion and understanding of where they may be in their own life in relationship to their development and their understanding of the Church’s teachings.”

The number of religious education students in the diocese is increasing, Simpson said. “Now we’re looking at anywhere from 40 to 60 in some parishes – there are that many students.”

Teaching these students requires special gifts, she said:“One of the most important things about being a catechist is being a person of prayer and to be able to help others on that journey of prayer.” 

WHAT: Catechist formation classes 

WHEN: Saturdays beginning Oct. 3, 9-11 a.m. 

WHERE: Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, West Valley City

Registration fee of $80 includes the 10 workbooks; contact your parish director of religious education or pastor regarding help with the fee. Completion of the 36-hour course fulfills the requirements for the Level One Basic Catechist Certificate, which is valid for three years. 

For the class schedule, visit the religious education page under the Religious Education tab on the diocesan website, www.dioslc.org. For information or early registration, call Dorothy Simpson, 801-981-8554.