The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux’s Adult Faith Formation Program provides participants with an opportunity to grow deeper in their love for Jesus Christ through knowledge of His Word and His Church. The first level of the program, Faith Enrichment, offers students an Introduction to Catholicism and Catechesis.
The second level, Proclaiming and Living Our Faith, allows students an opportunity to dive deeper into the mysteries and truths of our rich Catholic faith.
All courses are held in the evenings at the Diocesan Pastoral Center Conference Hall.
The Faith Enrichment Level offers a comprehensive introduction to the Catholic faith, as well as effective catechesis. Using the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church as guides, students learn the basic elements of our faith. Topics include the study of doctrine, Sacred Scripture, the sacramental life, and morality.
The first session of the Faith Enrichment Level is Components of Effective Teaching. This session teaches participants skills to become better communicators of the faith. It also offers teaching help for all ages, as well as specific tools for working with youth of elementary or high school age.
The Faith Enrichment Level of the Adult Faith Formation program is the entry level certification program for Directors of Religious Education (DREs), or Coordinators of Religious Education (CREs), Catechists and Catholic School Teachers. To receive Basic Catechist Certification participants must attend all sessions and complete all assignments.
Upon completion of the Faith Enrichment Level, Basic Catechist Certification is earned. DREs, CREs, Catechists and Catholic School Teachers are strongly encouraged to continue on to the Proclaiming and Living Our Faith Level in order to earn Master Catechist Certification.
In order to receive Basic Catechist Certification participants must:
Attend and complete the assignments for ALL of the following:
INTRODUCTION TO CATHOLICISM - 15 SESSIONS
SESSION ONE: Components of Effective Teaching
SESSION TWO: The Call to Holiness
SESSION THREE: God and the Human Person
SESSION FOUR: Revelation, Tradition and Magisterium
SESSION FIVE: The Old Testament
SESSION SIX: Jesus in the Gospels
SESSION SEVEN: The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Church
SESSION EIGHT: Baptism and Confirmation
SESSION NINE: Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Anointing of the Sick
SESSION TEN: Matrimony and Holy Orders
SESSION ELEVEN: The Trinity
SESSION TWELVE: Freedom, Law, and the Beatitudes
SESSION THIRTEEN: The Commandments 1-3
SESSION FOURTEEN: The Commandments 4-10
SESSION FIFTEEN: Distribution of Certificates and Prayer Service
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
In order to receive Basic Catechist Certification participants must attend and complete all assignments for all sessions within the Faith Enrichment Level. Perfect attendance is required for a course to be considered complete. Attendance is recorded by student signature at each session. Students are responsible for the accuracy of the sign-in sheet.
If a student is unable to attend any session he or she must contact the Office of Religious Education. Students will be allowed to purchase a copy of the DVD recording (a maximum of 2 sessions). To receive credit for attendance of missed sessions a student must complete and submit a one page reflection paper summarizing the missed session, in addition to completing the required reflection questions. If the schedule of classes changes in the course of the year due to extenuating circumstance (i.e. inclement weather, instructor conflict, etc.), students are required to attend the rescheduled session or purchase a DVD recording.
REQUIRED COURSE WORK:
Before each session students are asked to read assigned chapters from the Introduction to Catholicism: A Complete Course textbook and are encouraged to read the correlating articles from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. After each session students are required to complete a Reflection Paper (minimum 1 page) answering questions provided. Reflection papers are due at the following Synthesis session.
In order to receive Master Catechist Certification participants must attend and complete assignments for the following courses:
Fundamental Theology (6 Sessions)
Scripture I (6 Sessions)
Scripture II (6 Sessions)
Trinity (6 Sessions)
Christology (6 Sessions)
Ecclesiology (6 Sessions)
Liturgy (6 Sessions)
Canon Law (3 Sessions)
Spirituality (6 Sessions)
Church History (6 Sessions)
Morality (6 Sessions)
Catholic Social Teaching (3 Sessions)
Pastoral Theology and
Parish Administration (6 Sessions)
Theological Studies Day
What is Theological Studies Day?
Each year the Office of Religious Education offers a one day seminar to promote the study of theology. Theological Studies Day offers students an opportunity to learn from experts in different fields of theology. Topics change annually depending on presenters.
ATTENDANCE POLICY: In order to receive Master Catechist Certification participants must attend and complete assignments for all courses within the program. Perfect attendance is required for a course to be considered complete. Attendance is recorded by student signature at each session. Students are responsible for the accuracy of the sign-in sheet.
If a student is unable to attend any session he or she must contact the Office of Religious Education. Students will be allowed to purchase a copy of the DVD recording (a maximum of 1 session per course). To receive credit for attendance of missed sessions a student must complete and submit a one page reflection paper on the topic of the missed session. If the schedule of classes changes in the course of the year due to extenuating circumstance (i.e. inclement weather, instructor conflict, etc.), students are required to attend the rescheduled session or purchase a DVD recording.
REQUIRED COURSE WORK: Each course includes a final course assignment. Assignments consist of papers, group projects, or take home tests. All assignments are due to the Office of Religious Education two weeks after the last session of the course. Assignments are chosen by the instructor of the course.
FUNDAMENTAL THEOLOGY
Examines the study of theology and its sources: Scripture and Tradition. Students explore the role of philosophy in theology, man’s capacity and desire for God, and ways of coming to know God. Through this course students will study the Church’s teaching on Scripture: the formation of the canon, the concepts of inspiration and inerrancy, and the senses of Scripture. Students will gain an understanding of sacred Tradition, the role of the Magisterium, and an introduction of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
SCRIPTURE (I & II)
St. Jerome once said, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” This course provides students with a deeper understanding of the living Word of God. Covering the Old and New Testaments, Scripture is offered in two 6 session courses: Scripture I and Scripture II.
TRINITY
Examines the central mystery of our faith: the Holy Trinity. Through study of Scripture and philosophy, students will acquire a deeper understanding of the who, what, and why of God. This course offers students an opportunity to explore the concept of the One God, as well as a more in-depth study of the Divine Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Spirit.
CHURCH HISTORY
Covers the history of the Church beginning with the life of Christ through the election of Pope Benedict XVI. This concise study of the Church looks at her triumphs over paganism, the making and unmaking of Christendom, and the church under siege at different points in history.
ECCLESIOLOGY
Offers a study of the origin and destiny of the Church. In this course students will gain a deeper appreciation of the mystery of the Church, through study of her titles, marks, organization, icons, and reform.
LITURGY
Examines the role of ritual and celebration, the theology of liturgy regarding times and forms of Catholic liturgy, such as the Rites of Initiation, Eucharist and Lent and the Triduum. Through this course students will acquire a reflective knowledge and appreciation of the Liturgy. Students will study the Liturgy’s origin and growth, as well as its theological significance.
CANON LAW
This course offers a basic overview of the seven books of the Code of Canon Law: General Norms, The People of God, The Teaching Office of the Church, The Sanctifying Office of the Church, The Temporal Goods of the Church, Sanctions in the Church, and Processes.
SPIRITUALITY
Examines spirituality through a Catholic lens. Beginning with the New Testament and the early Church through the 20th century, this course looks at the progression of Catholic spirituality through the centuries. Through a study of the lives of the saints, contrasted by heretical movements of the past, students gain an appreciation of the holy ones that have gone before us.
CHRISTOLOGY
Seeks to answer the question who is Jesus Christ? This course delves into the mysteries of Christ’s life: the Incarnation, his birth and infancy, his baptism and temptation, his words and deeds, his suffering and death, Resurrection, Ascension, and Second Coming.
MORALITY
This course stresses the Christian application of basic ethical norms and values. The treatment of the Ten Commandments, as given in Part III of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, will serve as a basis for understanding Catholic morality as a lived reality. Through lecture, discussion, assigned readings, and reflection, this course will examine from a Christological point of view biblical morality along with contemporary moral issues in order to aid in the formation of Christians who desire to live a life of moral virtue at the service of love while striving towards ultimate perfection so that they are able to assist others in their life’s journey.
CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING
Examines the seven key themes of Catholic Social Teaching: life and dignity of the human person; call to family, community, and participation; rights and responsibilities; option for the poor and vulnerable; the dignity of work and the rights of workers; solidarity; and care for God’s creation. Through lecture and discussion students gain a deeper appreciation for the social teachings of the Church as well as practical application in their communities.
PASTORAL THEOLOGY AND PARISH ADMINISTRATION
In this course students will gain an understanding of the administrative aspects of the Church on the parish level. From development of leadership and facilitation skills, to volunteer management, this course provides insights into efficient and successful parish administrating.
The purpose of a reflection paper in the Adult Faith Formation Program is to demonstrate what a student has gained from a particular class session. These papers are required for all participants seeking Catechist Certification. Papers are reviewed by the Office of Religious Education to determine whether or not the participant meets the requirements for certification.
Reflection papers must:
1) Demonstrate understanding of Catholic doctrine taught in each session.
2) Reflect upon practical application of the doctrine learned for society or the participant’s own faith life.
3) Effectively communicate both the doctrine learned and its practical application.
Papers must be typed, double-spaced, using 12pt font. The length of the paper should be a minimum of 1 page.
Maintaining Certification
In order to retain certification once it is received, each catechist should complete three credits each year. One means of doing so is to attend “Theological Studies Day” (Religious Education Day) offered each year by the Office of Religious Education. All participants are highly encouraged to attend “Theological Studies Day”. Separate registration is required for this event.
Other ways of maintaining certification are to take classes offered in individual parishes or to continue to the next level of certification.
In order to be certified at each level, you must attend all scheduled sessions for the specific area.