Standards and Expectations for Being a Catechist in the Diocese of Reno
The following list of catechetical standards are the minimum required by the Office of Faith Formation and Parish Pastoral Services and the Office of Education, for service as a Catholic catechist in the Diocese of Reno.
1. Be a practicing Catholic in good standing with St. Rose of Lima Parish, including regular attendance at Sunday Liturgy and also have a personal prayer life.
2. Complete a background check form and obtain fingerprints (Parish pays).
3. Complete a three-hour training on Protecting God's Children (offered at various times and Parishes throughout the Diocese).
4. Complete 24 bulletins on Protecting God's Children in 24 months (takes five minutes each), plus complete a mini-test halfway through the bulletins and at the end.
5. Attendance at the Annual Deanery Catechetical Day in the Fall.
6. Attendance at the Annual Diocesan Conference.
7. Commitment to participate in viewing and discussing a series of videos/DVDs in "Echoes of Faith" and/or "What Makes Us Catholic?"
8. Attendance at regular formation meetings held for catechists in the parish, which includes the opportunity to obtain the Doctrinal Development listed in #7 above and #12 below.
9. Teach a one-hour religious education class weekly, plus commitment to preparation of the weekly lesson.
10. Love children.
11. Have the desire to teach.
12. Maintain Active Catechist Re-certification: Complete, over the course of three years, Doctrinal Development in the following areas for three hours each:
Catholic doctrine
Catholic morality
Scripture
Sacraments and/or liturgy
Prayer and spriituality
Retreat/mission
The first three items must be completed before you step into a classroom. The others are ongoing over the course of years, so please don't be overwhelmed if it seems like a lot.
