TRAINING & CERTIFICATION PROCESS
The first initiative of the Catechetical Master Plan called for the establishment of a Training and Catechetical Certification Process for those who hold catechetical roles in our parishes, Catholic schools and other settings where catechesis takes place. Those who would be a part of this certification process include parish catechetical leaders, in particular those who have no formal training to date in catechesis or any formal accreditation, catechists, youth ministry leaders and volunteers, RCIA leaders and team members, and Catholic school teachers.
The diocesan-wide certification process includes:
- Orientation sessions for those new to catechetical ministries to be completed online through Echoes of Faith.
- The establishment of Basic and Permanent Certification levels.
- Local and national Ongoing Formation opportunities.
- Attendance and record keeping policies.
The training and certification process includes alternative certification options, as well as credit given for equivalent courses.
Course Tracking on Vine
Course Records & Tracking for Employees
- Address to access portal site: Select the myHALO icon above or within the Menu, or in the footer on the diocesan website. Once there, you may want to bookmark the site as a favorite for future use.
- Log in with user name and password: When the log in screen appears you have entered a secure/password protected site. Enter your user name and password. Upon log in success, you be directed to the myHALO home page.
- Accessing your personal certification records: Select Certification Records from the ‘What would you like to do?’ section on the myHALO home page.
- Adding a new course or logging ongoing formation hours: Once you have arrived at the Faith, Family, and Discipleship Certification Records page you now have access to your personal course records. To enter a new course, or log ongoing formation hours, simply click on the “Add new course” button.
- Viewing the course form: When the new screen appears, you will have the ability to enter the required course information. Please note that items entered in this list require content approval and submissions will appear as pending until approval or denial of the course entry has been given by the diocesan office. The office approves courses the last business day of each month, as long as the course does not fall within the last week of the month. Please monitor your course records to view updates.
- Filling out the course template correctly: Complete the template with the appropriate information. i.e., Course Code — Enter the code given to you by the instructor.
Course Records & Tracking for Non-Employees
- Address to access the portal site: Open your web browser and visit https://vine.dioceseofgreensburg.org. Once there, you may want to bookmark the site as a favorite for future use.
- Log in with user name and password: When the log in screen appears you have entered a secure/password protected site. Enter your user name (email address) and password.
- Access your personal certification records: Select “Track your Catechetical Certification” from the “What would you like to do?” selection box.
- Adding a new course or logging ongoing formation hours: Once you have arrived at the Faith, Family, and Discipleship Certification Records page you now have access to your personal course records. To enter a new course, or log ongoing formation hours, simply click on the “Add new course” button.
- Viewing the course form: When the new screen appears, you will have the ability to enter the required course information. Please note that items entered in this list require content approval and submissions will appear as pending until approval or denial of the course entry has been given by the diocesan office. The office approves courses the last business day of each month, as long as the course does not fall within the last week of the month. Please monitor your course records to view updates.
- Filling out the course template correctly: Complete the template with the appropriate information. i.e. Course Code – Enter the code given to you by the instructor.
Equivalency
Pathways/Alpha
Pathways is the diocesan adult faith formation program. It is a series of 12 sessions, three workshops and a retreat. Each of the 12 sessions addresses a specific topic that is presented in the form of a question. Participants must attend the first workshop, “Called and Gifted,” prior to attending classes, and attendance is mandatory to earn the Pathways Certificate of Completion. Earning a Pathways Certificate of Completion from 2005 to now will satisfy all the requirements for basic and permanent certification.
This equivalency will only be given to those who have earned a Pathways Certificate of Completion since 2004-05. A Pathways/Alpha Certificate of Completion earned prior to 2004-05 will satisfy the creed, sacraments, morality, and liturgy and prayer requirements of basic certification. Participants will still have to satisfy the Ecclesiology requirement to complete basic certification and will need to complete the permanent cortication.
Echoes of Faith
Echoes of Faith is a partnership between RCL/Benziger and the National Conference of Catechetical Leaders to assist you in your theological, spiritual, and practical formation.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) applies Montessori principles of education to catechesis of children. This model builds on the child’s religious potential and nascent spirituality, serving the religious needs of the child. It respects the natural relationship that children experience with God.
Catechesis occurs in a religious environment called an atrium using objects and furniture that have been adapted to children’s levels and needs. The children discover liturgical symbols, engage in stories of sacred Scripture and work with religious symbols and objects. Catechists are specifically trained to facilitate an encounter between Christ and the children through the use of Scripture and liturgy.
Training in the specific levels of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd will satisfy the varying levels of the Training and Catechetical Certification Process.
| Courses | Level Satisfied |
| Levels I and II and Sacramental Preparation Training | Basic Certification |
| Levels II and III Training | Permanent Certification |
Get Answers Regarding Training and Certification
As always if you have any further questions, please consult with your principal, faith formation or catechetical leader, or Email Us at the
Office of Faith, Family, and Discipleship.
