Catechist Formation and Certification
Catechist Formation
The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston offers may opportunities for catechists to grow into effective educators of the faith and assets to the faith formation of their parish.
Knowing that the need to fill vacancies in the parish's catechetical programs makes it necessary for pastors to appoint parishioners as catechists without previous formation for that ministry, the following formation programs are not a pre-requirement to start in catechetical ministry.
However, it is essential that all who exercise catechetical ministry take it very seriously and commit to engage in their own process of formation as a catechist.
These are the two programs that are the core of the Catechist Certificate Program
Formation Towards Catechetical Ministry (FTCM)
It is a three-semester program where catechists learn the basic theological knowledge that all teachers of the faith are called to pass on to their students.
This program also addresses the need of assimilating theological content through a process of spiritual reflection (days of reflection).
As a supplement to the curriculum of this program, all catechists are also expected to take the CATECHESIS OF HUMAN SEXUALITY three-hour course offered by the office of adolescent Evangelization and catechesis.
Catechetical Modules
A series of 10 two-hour workshops where catechists learn:
- pedagogical principles and best practices (how to teach)
- a methodological teaching strategy based on sound educational research,
- the different elements specific of the Catholic Faith that must be included in a well-rounded Catechesis.
Typically, a catechist that has taken the catechetical modules is not expected to take them again. However, starting on 2024 the catechetical modules have been re-designed to ensure that everyone who takes them will understand what the Catechetical Framework and the Archdiocesan curriculum are and how to implement them in their week-to-week ministry.
WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE EVERYONE IN CATECHETICAL MINISTRY TO TAKE VERSION 2024 (V.24). Everyone who takes version 2024 who had taken a previous version, will receive ELECTIVE CREDIT towards renewal of their catechetical certificate.
In addition, there is a wide range of educational opportunities offered for the growth of those in Catechetical Ministry
Electives
Catechist seeking the Catechetical Ministry Certificate are expected to be constant theological, pastoral, and spiritual growth, based on their own areas of interest.
To that end, the office of Evangelization and Catechesis, many of the other archdiocesan offices, parishes and other organizations offer educational opportunities.
CAPERNAUM is the ideal place to look for different educational programs and opportunities. Here are some "keywords" you can use to search on your "search for learning" field when you log in to your CAPERNAUM account:
Catechetical Catechesis Bioethics Sexuality Family Liturgy Eucharist Eucharistic
Disabilities Sacramental Mentoring Marriage Baptism Confirmation Adults
In addition to CAPERNAUM, you can take courses, conferences, lectures, etc., offered outside of CAPERNAUM.
We do ask that you keep accurate records of the educational events you attend, as well as evidence (flyers, receipts, agenda, programs, instructor's name, credentials, affiliation, etc.) of the content of the event so that it may be considered towards the:
- 20 hours of elective work required for Catechist Certificate level 3 and/or the
- 30 hours of elective work required for catechist certificate renewal.
Catechist Certification
The certification program is outlined in the following graphic:
Requirements for Level 1 Catechist Certificate:
1. Complete one full semester of FTCM.
- You can complete this requirement by taking any one of the three semesters of FTCM.
- Every semester is made up of three courses of 5 sessions per course.
- To consider your semester completed you must attend all 15 sessions of the semester.
- If you miss a session, you must "make it up" before we can consider this requirement completed.
2. Complete the Day of Reflection for the semester of FTCM you take.
- In addition of attending the 15 sessions of the semester of FTCM, you are expected to attend and complete one Day of Reflection.
3. Complete any three of the ten catechetical modules.
- Although no specific order is required, we suggest you take Catechetical Framework, Lesson Design and Assessment Strategies before you start teaching or as soon as possible.
Although electives are not required for level 1 certificate, you could and should take any opportunities of interest you come across. Remember to keep evidence.
This PDF FILLABLE CHECKLIST will help you make sure you have completed all Level 1 Requirements (remember to SAVE your filled out form):
You must make sure your records match your CAPERNAUM TRANSCRIPT.
For a video tutorial on how to find your CAPERNAUM TRANSCRIPT, click here.
Requirements for Level 2 Catechist Certificate:
1. Complete one more full semester of FTCM.
- You can complete this requirement by taking any one of the three semesters of FTCM.
- Every semester is made up of three courses of 5 sessions per course.
- To consider your semester completed you must attend all 15 sessions of the semester.
- If you miss a session, you must "make it up" before we can consider this requirement completed.
2. Complete the Day of Reflection for the semester of FTCM you take.
- In addition of attending the 15 sessions of the semester of FTCM, you are expected to attend and complete one Day of Reflection.
3. Complete three more of the ten catechetical modules.
- Although no specific order is required, we suggest you take Catechetical Framework, Lesson Design and Assessment Strategies before you start teaching or as soon as possible.
Although electives are not required for level 2 certificate, you could and should take any opportunities of interest you come across. Remember to keep evidence.
This PDF FILLABLE CHECKLIST will help you make sure you have completed all Level 2 Requirements (remember to SAVE your filled out form):
You must make sure your records match your CAPERNAUM TRANSCRIPT.
For a video tutorial on how to find your CAPERNAUM TRANSCRIPT, click here.
Requirements for Level 3 Catechist Certificate:
1. Complete the last of three full semesters of FTCM.
- You can complete this requirement by taking any one of the three semesters of FTCM.
- Every semester is made up of three courses of 5 sessions per course.
- To consider your semester completed you must attend all 15 sessions of the semester.
- If you miss a session, you must "make it up" before we can consider this requirement completed.
2. Complete the Day of Reflection for the semester of FTCM you take.
- In addition of attending the 15 sessions of the semester of FTCM, you are expected to attend and complete one Day of Reflection.
3. Complete the last 4 remaining of the ten catechetical modules.
- Although no specific order is required, we suggest you take Catechetical Framework, Lesson Design and Assessment Strategies before you start teaching or as soon as possible.
This PDF FILLABLE CHECKLIST will help you make sure you have completed all Level 1 Requirements (remember to SAVE your filled out form):
You must make sure your records match your CAPERNAUM TRANSCRIPT.
For a video tutorial on how to find your CAPERNAUM TRANSCRIPT, click here.
THE FOLLOWING CHART WILL HELP VISUALIZE THE THREE-LEVEL CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Requirements for Catechist Certificate Renewal:
- Once a catechist has been awarded level 3 catechist certificate, they are expected to renew it every three years.
- To renew a catechist certificate, a catechist must complete 30 hours of ELECTIVE-FORMATION within a period of three years.
1. Complete 30 hours of ELECTIVE-FORMATION.
- Any formation (trainings, conferences, workshops, lectures, retreats) that helps you better understand your vocation to catechetical ministry.
- Any formation (trainings, conferences, workshops, lectures, retreats) that helps you strengthen your catechetical practical skills
- Any formation (trainings, conferences, workshops, lectures, retreats) that helps you deepen your theological understanding of the teachings of the church
2. If you complete ELECTIVE-FORMATION taking courses that are not found in Capernaum, you must add them to your CAPERNAUM transcript.
This PDF FILLABLE CHECKLIST will help you make sure you have completed all Requirements for certificate renewal (remember to SAVE your filled out form):
You must make sure your records match your CAPERNAUM TRANSCRIPT.
For a video tutorial on how to find your CAPERNAUM TRANSCRIPT, click here.
How are certifications awarded?
As of May of 2024, Certification is automatically awarded by CAPERNAUM and added to your transcript when you complete all the requirements for each level and/or renewal.
If you are not seeing a certificate or renewal that you believe you have earned:
- Use the checklists provided on this page to make sure you have completed all requirements
- Make sure you have submitted "external training requests" for all training you did not find on Capernaum
- Paper certificates are mailed three times per year by our Registrar of Catechetical Records
- Contact O.E.C. REGISTRAR OF CATECHISTS RECORDS, Erika Cruz:
Outline of Program and Program Requirements