Catechesis for Various Ages

The Catechetical Framework for Lifelong Faith Formation is a comprehensive document outlining essential knowledge for Catholic living at every stage of the life cycle.  Based on the six tasks of catechesis, it is the guiding document for all catechesis in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston including:

• Early Childhood Curriculum for ages 3-5
• Childhood Curriculum for elementary-age children (5 to approx. 11 years old)
• Young Adolescent Curriculum
• Older Adolescent Curriculum
• Adult Confirmation preparation

Pastors and catechetical leaders who wish to access the Framework document can contact Amy Auzenne, Director of the OEC, at [email protected] / 713-741-8796

​Click here for information on the Catechetical Framework (password protected)​

 The Office of Evangelization and Catechesis provides an early childhood curriculum for children ages 3-5.  The curriculum includes four "Big Ideas" (thematic units) and eleven essential questions (lessons).  For information on the archdiocesan curriculum for early childhood, contact Sr. Maria Goretti [email protected] 

The Office of Evangelization and Catechesis provides support for directors and educators at our archdiocesan early childhood centers.  This includes monthly meetings for directors of early childhood centers and our annual early childhood conference, "Let the Children Come".

 information about Early Childhood Centers

The Office of Evangelization and Catechesis oversees the Archdiocesan Early Childhood and Childhood Curriculum. The Curriculum includes 4 "Big Ideas" (Thematic Units), with the Essential Questions (Lessons) under each Big Idea (Unit).

Click here for information on the archdiocesan early childhood and childhood Curriculum (Password Protected) ​

The General Directory for Catechesis states, "Catechesis for adults, since it deals with persons who are capable of an adherence that is fully responsible, must be considered the chief form of catechesis. All other forms which are indeed necessary, are in some way oriented to it" (no. 59).

It goes further to note that while adult catechesis takes many forms and occurs in many contexts, these, "complement, but do not replace, the ongoing, systematic catechetical courses which every ecclesial community must provide for all adults" (176).

In light of this mandate, the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis provides both systematic catechetical opportunities for adults in the Archdiocese and training for those who catechize adults. One program that provides a systematic introduction to Catholic theology for adults is the Formation Toward Christian Ministry (FTCM) program. More information about that program can be found here.

Adults, more than children or youth, have the freedom to exercise a degree of autonomy in directing their own formation. Individual reading of books and essays on theological and spiritual topics can be an important component of an adult's catechetical formation. While a comprehensive list of appropriate writings is not possible, click here for an interesting and safe starting point.

• Adult Faith Formation Programs in English - Contact Brian Garcia-Luense, [email protected] / 713-741-8795
• Adult Faith Formation Programs in Spanish - Contact Adrian Herrera, [email protected] / 713-741-8799

The Church teaches that parents are the first and primary educators of their children in the faith. Some parents, in fulfilling this role, will choose to decline the assistance of parish catechetical programs and provide systematic catechesis in their homes. Some families also home-school their children in their academic subjects as well as their catechetical formation, while for others this is a decision limited exclusively to their faith formation.

Parents of children who receive systematic catechesis in their home are strongly encouraged to visit the parish and have a discussion with the parish catechetical leader. Leaders have been provided guidelines about how to proceed with this endeavor. Parents are to be provided a textbook that correlates to the child's age and is the same textbook used in the parish religious education program. Cardinal DiNardo has directed that those books that serve as primary resources for catechetical instruction be among the texts reviewed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Committee to Oversee the use of the Catechism, and found to be in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

The parish catechetical leader will want to have a conversation with the child(ren) to determine readiness for the appropriate grade level. The leader will request parents bring the child in on a regular basis (perhaps monthly, maybe at the end of a textbook unit, etc.) to "check-in" regarding progress and to see if there are any parental needs.

Immediate preparation for and the celebration of the sacramentsis done in the parish setting. The parish provides the community into which a child is initiated as well as the locus for worship. Children who are catechized in the home for systematic catechesis are expected to be a part of the total sacramental preparation experience in the parish, which includes retreats, days of reflection, and other communal activities.

Contact Sr. Maria Goretti for more information on Home Based Catechesis at [email protected] / 713-741-3430

Whole Community Catechesis [WCC] is grounded in the Church's understanding that the Baptismal catechumenate offers the inspiration for all catechesis. Within the process of initial and ongoing formation, it is the responsibility of the entire Christian community to give shape and witness to one another in forming the Body of Christ [General Directory for Catechesis, 90]. The OEC offers formation, resources, and support in the development and implementation of a variety of WCC models.

Certain that children learn their faith first from their parents, the desire to deepen parental involvement in religious education is most beneficial, as it strengthens and supports the entire domestic church – the family home. Presentations and resources are available to parishes and families wanting to gain additional knowledge regarding this very intimate and relational aspect of faith formation "family style". The many spiritual growth opportunities and blessings shared between parents and their children add faith to life and life to faith. 

Pastors and catechetical leaders who wish to know more about incorporating whole community catechesis into their parish faith formation program should call Amy Auzenne, OEC Director, at [email protected] / 713-741-8796