DREs or leaders

by Kate Ristow for a Catechist Formation Interest Survey. Whew! What a relief! After months of following up on leads, networking, interviewing, praying, and...

Do the newly initiated deserve an extended period of hand-holding and deeper inquiry? Can the spirit of mystagogy pervade all of catechesis in your parish? Or, where you live, is it true that CCD really means communion, confirmation, done?

DREs are often viewed as “master catechists.” Their role is to oversee the curriculum that is being taught in a parish. Many times they are called upon to “fill in the blanks” when educational needs are presented in the parish. Often they are asked to research projects, give presentations, or teach topics that are varied and often complex. People in the community come to depend on them as excellent resource people for the plethora of interests that evolve in a learning environment. Most DREs love that facet of their jobs!

Vacation Bible School has become a fruitful blessing to the Catholic Church in recent years. Once seen as a Protestant tradition, numerous Catholic publishers now provide informative and exciting thematic materials that celebrate great stories of the Bible and tenets of our Catholic faith. Today, most diocesan offices make recommendations for resources, and parishes can find online catalogs from their favorite publishers.

One of the difficult things for volunteer catechists to do is find time to read catechetical or theological material. After all, catechists are busy people. They often have families, jobs, and household responsibilities, and, of course, they generously volunteer their time to be catechists. A book and media club might be one way to help catechists reflect on their experiences of faith. It might also be a way to help them develop a sense of community among themselves.

Master Catechists answer questions from readers

DRE Data brings you concrete suggestions and up-to-date information and insight about parish catechetical leadership.

Marge heaved the large storage box out of the back of her vintage Volvo station wagon.

A stranger asks one of my students for money. As a catechist, how might I have used this story? A new parish policy affecting the religious education program fee has been approved without my input. Is this grounds for quitting at the end of the year?

Can you give us pointers on how best to merge our religious education programs? How can I find renewed enthusiasm for my ministry?