Into the Fields
Teacher & Catechist Formation
for all catechetical ministries in the parish

Twenty-Third Publications
Serving the Church for more than 40 years!
Parish Catechist Formation
(The goal is to complete one trimester per school year.)

Who should take part in Parish Catechist Formation?
  • Parish catechists who are new to the ministry.
  • Parish catechists who have more experience but want or
    need an update.
  • Members of the catechumenate team.
  • Youth ministers and their volunteer core group.
  • Those who are working in adult catechesis.
  • Others in the parish who are interested.

Options for Parish Catechist Formation
Saturday morning
9 AM to noon, with a light breakfast
once a month
ten months of the year (skip July and August)
One evening during the week
from 6 PM to 9 PM, with a light supper
once per month
ten months of the year
August institute
for those who can be present during the day
5 days to complete one trimester

Getting started with parish catechist formation
Much of the work for organizing catechist formation falls to the
parish director along with the pastor

At first, it seems as though more work will be on your desk, but
in the end, with better prepared catechists, your work will be
reduced significantly.
  • They will feel more confident
  • Retention from year to year will increase
  • You can count on trained catechists for more help
  • They become a key part of your team
  • They encourage others to obtain more formation
  • The overall quality of your program increases

Step one: Make the commitment!

Step two: Remember that
we're here to help. We provide
two specialists to assist you
in getting organized and
stated, Anna Humaydan and
Stephanie Baker. They're the
BEST. Click here to contact
them fast.

Step three: Schedule formation in your calendar
  • Choose the meeting schedule which works best in your
    parish. Most parish leaders will invite catechists to one
    three-hour meeting per month, ten months in the year
    (skipping July and August).
  • Many catechists dearly want training and will be thrilled
    with Into the Fields.
  • You won’t have everyone involved, but if you wait until
    everyone is ready, you’ll never accomplish this.
  • Invite youth ministers, catechumenate team members,
    marriage prep folks, baptism preparation folks, and others
    working in catechetical ministries to take part, too.
  • Work closely with the school in your parish if you have one.
    Why not include all the teachers and catechists in one
    formation process?
  • Keep your pastor informed as you go!

Step four: Recruit your catechists one by one for this formation
  • In fact, one three-hour training session per month is not
    asking very much.
  • Budget to pay for the materials as a parish.
  • Remember, that YOU must be the first one to believe in
    this!

Step five: Order your materials.
  • For more on how to do this, click here.
  • Be sure to order one textbook for each learner, plus a
    facilitator guide for yourself.
  • Other resources you may need can be found all over this
    web site. Browse through our many offerings in the Center
    for Parish Catechetical Leaders.

Step six: Get Started
  • And enter a new, more vigorous period of catechesis for all
    ages and all stages in your parish!
Catholic School Teacher Formation
(The goal is to complete one trimester per school year.)

Who should take part in Catholic School Teacher Formation from
your school?
  • Every teacher who is responsible for helping to pass on the
    Catholic faith to the students.
  • Every aide who assists those teachers, especially if they
    work in any class where religion is taught or where Christian
    formation is underway.
  • Volunteer parents who assist in the religion program.
  • School staff who have not recently had any Catholic
    updating or formation.

Options for Catholic School Teacher Formation
Teacher in-service days, 5 per year
two sessions per in-service day
completes a total of 10 within the year
Saturday morning
9 AM to noon, with a light breakfast
once a month
ten months of the year (skip July and August)
One evening during the week
from after school to 6 PM, possibly with a light supper
one time per month
ten months of the year
August institute
5 days to complete one trimester

Getting started with teacher formation
Much of the work for organizing teacher formation falls to the
school principal, religion department head if you have one, along
with the pastor.

At first, it seems as though more work will be on your desk, but in
the end, with better prepared teachers, your work will be reduced
significantly.
  • They will feel more confident teaching religion in the
    classroom.
  • More teachers will want to keep teaching from year to year.
  • You can count on trained teachers for more help in your
    school.
  • They become a key part of your team.
  • They encourage others to obtain more formation.
  • The overall quality of your program rises and you become a
    more truly “Catholic” school!

Step one: Make the commitment!
  • Only you can make this commitment for your school.
  • Invest in your teachers, and your school will grow!

Step two: Remember that
we're here to help. We provide
two specialists to assist you
in getting organized and
stated, Anna Humaydan and
Stephanie Baker. They're the
BEST. Click here to contact
them fast.

Step three: Schedule formation in your calendar.
  • Choose the meeting schedule that works best in your
    school. Most principals will invite teachers to one three-hour
    meeting per month, ten months in the year (skipping July
    and August), or to five in-service days per year.
  • We tend to ask for too little; we must ask more of our
    Catholic school teachers!
  • Many teachers dearly want training.
  • You won’t have everyone involved, but if you wait until
    everyone is ready, you’ll never accomplish this.
  • Invite youth ministers, catechumenate team members,
    marriage prep folks, baptism preparation folks, and others
    working in catechetical ministries in your parish to take part,
    too, along with the parish catechists.
  • Work closely with the catechetical program in your parish.
    Why not include all the teachers and catechists in one
    formation process?
  • Keep your pastor informed as you go!

Step four: Recruit your catechists one by one for this formation
  • In fact, one three-hour training session per month is not
    asking very much.
  • Budget to pay for the materials as a parish.
  • Remember, that YOU must be the first one to believe in this!

Step five: Order your materials.
  • For more on how to do this, click here.
  • Be sure to order one textbook for each learner, plus a
    facilitator guide for yourself.
  • Other resources you may need can be found all over this
    web site. Browse through our many offerings in the Center
    for Catholic Schools.

Step six: Get Started
  • And enter a new, more vigorous period of catechesis for all
    ages and all stages in your parish!
Getting Started
Open a Sample of
one Session
click here