Diocesan Board of Education
Diocese of Belleville
Policy 2122.1
PERSONNEL
Ongoing Catechist Formation
“The apostolic work of the catechist springs from the Sacrament of Baptism through which all believers come to share in the prophetic ministry of Christ and the evangelizing mission of the Church.” (NDC p. 228) “Catechists serve a wide variety of persons…include[ing] those who do not have the constant presence of a priest; families; adults, young adults, children, and adolescents; those preparing to receive sacraments; those with special needs; immigrants, migrants, refugees, and people on the move; those in campus ministry programs; Catholic school children; members of movements and associations; those in hospitals and the military; those in prisons.” (NDC p. 229-230)
Principals and “all teachers in Catholic schools share in the catechetical ministry” (NDC p. 233). This is true for both elementary and secondary Catholic schools. Therefore, ongoing Catechist Formation in the Diocese of Belleville is expected of:
- Teachers (catechists) in Catholic elementary schools
- Teachers (catechists) in Catholic high schools
- Teachers (catechists) in parish schools of religion
- Catechists in parish faith formation programs.
The approved catechist formation program is the Franciscan University of Steubenville Catechetical Institute's online program: "Franciscan at Home."
Adopted: May 20, 1976
Revised: January 1, 2023