Training and Certification Basic and Permanent Levels

1.     Who is required to attend?

2.     How long are the courses?

3.     What are the course titles?

            4.   What is the 2010-11 course schedule?

Who is required to attend?

After attending orientation sessions all leaders in faith formation, who do not have training or education in a theological field, all principals, assistant principals, teachers, catechists, youth ministry volunteers, and RCIA team members, are required to attend all five workshops in basic certification. After attending all five basic certification workshops, all teachers who are catechists, all leaders in faith formation, who do not have training or education in a theological field, catechists, youth ministry volunteers, and RCIA team members, are required to attend all five workshops in permanent certification.

Principals and assistant principals will have the option to attend the permanent certification workshops to fulfill their on-going requirement.

In addition to attending basic and permanent certification all leaders in faith formation, who do not have training or education in a theological field, will be required to attend two additional courses through the Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF) on the National Directory for Catechesis and Evangelization and Discipleship, as well as a diocesan workshop on the Administration of a Faith Formation Program.   A plan for future catechetical training will be discussed with all new leaders in faith formation and the diocesan managing director of the Office for Evangelization and Faith Formation, following the annual Faith Formation Leaders Orientation Meeting.

During this transition year, prior work in catechetical training will be considered for credit for basic and permanent certification by the Office for Evangelization and Faith Formation. Please view the grandfathering policy for details.

How long are the courses?

A variety of course formats have been designed so they can be as convenient as possible for participants.

·         One day workshop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., which includes lunch and two breaks.

·         Two – 2 ½ hour workshops after school, or in the evenings, that includes one break.

·         Four - 75 minute workshops that take place after school, after the faith formation program, or in the evenings.

·         An overnight retreat beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, and concluding before 12 p.m. Sunday, which would include two courses.

·         Online option through the Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF).

There are also a number of equivalents through VLCFF, Pathways, and possibly Echoes of Faith that will be considered, please view the equivalencies or policies section for details. A Pathways certificate of completion will satisfy all the requirements for basic certification. (This equivalency will only be given to those who have earned a Pathways certificate since 2007-08). Certain course work in the VLCFF program and training for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd will result in equivalencies in the training and certification process.

These courses (basic and permanent) begin in Fall 2010. View the schedule.

Course Titles, Topics and Descriptions

1.     Basic Certification

2.     Permanent Certification

Basic Certification 

Topic	Course Title
Creed	What We Believe
Sacraments	What We Celebrate
Morality	How We Live
Liturgy & Prayer	On Bended Knee
Ecclesiology	What the Church Is

Creed/What We Believe: This course/workshop will enable the student to appreciate the doctrine/beliefs of the Catholic Church that are presented in the Nicene Creed. Topics to be presented will include the Holy Trinity, the paschal mystery, Mary, and the church.

Sacraments/What We Celebrate: This course/workshop will give the participant a deeper understanding of the nature and role of sacraments in our life. It will include an in-depth look at the sacraments of initiation, the sacraments of healing, and the sacraments of service.

Morality/How We Live: Topics covered in this course/workshop will include: The dignity of the human person, sin, the moral law, the Ten Commandments, and the Beatitudes.

Liturgy and Prayer/On Bended Knee: In this course/workshop participants will critically reflect upon their understanding of the Eucharist, and its meaning and impact on their lives. They will look at the Lord’s Prayer as the fundamental Christian prayer, liturgy, the Eucharist and service, and the many rich prayer traditions in the Catholic Church.

Ecclesiology/What the Church Is: This course/workshop will introduce the participants to the theological study of the church. They will become familiar with basic terms and concepts that are essential for understanding the church’s nature and mission, and how these have been a constant theme in the church’s evolution as a “living organism” throughout history.

Permanent Certification

Topic	Course Title
Scripture	The Word
Christology	Who Do You Say I Am?
Church History	2,000 Years
Catholicism in America	The Church in America
Catholic Social Teaching	The Church in the World

Scripture/The Word: In this course/workshop participants will discuss an overview of salvation history; the cultural factors, which influenced the events around the writing of the Old and New Testaments; and what church documents tell us about the Bible, particularly the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Christology/Who Do You Say I Am: In this course/workshop participants will discover what we know and believe about the central figure of the Christian faith, Jesus Christ, using Scripture, tradition and modern sources.

Church History/2,000 Years: This course/workshop will cover the Apostles and early church; the doctors and the Middle Ages; the reformation; and the Second Vatican Council and the church today.

Catholicism in America/The Church in America: This course/workshop will look at the history of the Catholic Church in America. The workshop will begin with a look at the landing of the ark and the dove and the founding of the California missions. It will also include a survey of the Plenary Councils of Baltimore, American saints and blesseds, and Catholicism in Western Pennsylvania.

Catholic Social Teaching/The Church in the World: This course/workshop will look at the seven key themes of Catholic social teaching outlined by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in their document, Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions and the social doctrine of the church.