Formation of Parish Catechetical Leaders
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parish catechetical leaders -
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Who is a Parish Catechetical Leader?PAID STAFF OR VOLUNTEERS THAT ARE DIRECTORS OR COORDINATORS ANY OF THE FOLLOWING MINISTRY AREAS:
- Faith Formation, Adult Faith Formation, or Elementary Catechesis
- Sacramental Preparation for one or more Sacraments
- Recruitment, Training and/or Formation of Catechists
- O.C.I.A. and/or O.C.I.A. Adapted for Children and Teens
- Anyone in a position of leadership in a catechetical program
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office of evangelization and catechesis
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Our mission is to empower you to lead your parish to missionary discipleshipJust like the Lord Jesus called the humblest of men and women to follow him before they were ready to lead others, many of us are also called by our pastors and other catechetical leaders were also called before we knew what it takes to be a faithful and successful leader of catechists and families in our parishes.
How did the simplest of men and women become apostles and missionary disciples? The were in a three-year formation program to learn about their own faith and about Jesus' leadership style. They did their part, and the Spirit did the rest.
If you truly believe that faith formation and education can change the lives of your parishioners, you need to be committed to your own faith formation and education.
The mission of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis is to meet you where you are at and give you the guidance and the tools you will need to be a faithful and successful parish catechetical leader.
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this is how we empower you and accompany you
- Mentoring and Accompaniment
- Orientation of New Parish Catechetical Leaders
- Introduction to Professional Catechetical Ministry
- Ongoing Professional Development
- Activate Leadership Symposium
- Textbook and Resource Support
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We are your peers and we are here for you!All the staff members of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis have been where you are now, and we would love to meet you and share our own journey in this beautiful and important vocation to lead.
Please reach out and let's chat. We would like to be able to pray for your success, and if we can be of help, we would love the opportunity to lend you a hand.
If you do not know where to start:- Email or call Miguel A. Vences (contact information at the bottom of this page), the member of our staff that will make sure to welcome you to catechetical ministry in our Archdiocese and also will make sure you are paired with the member of our staff that can best give you the help you need.
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O.E.C. STAFF
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New to catechetical ministry or new in our Archdiocse?
Orientation for new parish catechetical leaders is an IN-PERSON, ONE-DAY training and networking session.
It is meant to give new PCLs an overview of the many roles they are expected to fulfill and the many resources the archdiocese offers them to succeed in their ministry.
This gathering is about taking the first steps towards creating a support and professional growth network with other PCLs and with the archdiocesan personnel.
This training is strongly suggested for anyone who is in a portion of leadership in the catechetical ministry of a parish for five years or less.
We welcome experienced catechetical leaders who are willing to share their knowledge and experience with others that may be new to the ministry.
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On-demand, practical training when you need it!
No matter when you are called to start your role as a catechetical ministry, I.P.C.M. will get you started with an overview of "BEST PRACTICES" that were shared and collected just for you.
Take one or take all.
Topics are: How to recruit, train, and accompany catechists, how to forma a sacramental preparation team, ministry to persons with disabilities, the catechumenate and the O.C.I.A., how to plan a catechetical year, how to implement the archdiocesan curriculum for lifelong faith formation, and more.
I.P.C.M. INFORMATION AND MATERIALS
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Explore Professional Development Opportunities
The Office of Evangelization and Catechesis offers ongoing professional development in a variety of forms and contexts.
The content covered in ongoing professional development is designed to further the professional formation of catechetical leaders and to assist them in meeting the competencies that have established by the USCCB's National Certification Standards for Lay Ecclesial Ministers. Each opportunity will endeavor to indicate which competencies it intended to address.
Upcoming Professional Growth Events
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ACTIVATEACTIVATE is an annual leadership symposium for parish catechetical leaders serving children, youth, adults, and families.
The aim of this day is to expand and refine leadership skills in order to more effectively serve the people of God. This full day event features, a keynote speaker, networking groups, and workshop options all centered on a variety of practical leadership theories and skills. It includes Mass, shared prayer and lunch.ACTIVATE 2025: "Encountering God in the Shelter of One Another" | September 9, 2025
ACTIVATE 2025 focused on accompaniment and mental health. Click on the buttons below to download handouts from keynote speaker Dr. Dobie Moser
Accomapaniment
Mental Health Team Resources
Mental Health Resources List (English)
Mental Health Resources List (Spanish)
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Textbook and resource supportThe Office of Evangelization and Catechesis assists parishes and schools in selecting texts and resources for pre-school, elementary, middle, and high school students in Catholic Schools and Parish programs. All elementary and middle school textbooks used in parish and Catholic school programs must be chosen from the Conformity Listing of Catechetical Texts and Series as set forth by the Bishops' Committee on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. High Schools must move toward selection from the Conformity listing as they update and replace textbooks.
The OEC staff is available to help parishes and schools choose textbooks. Our Archdiocesan Resource Library contains copies of all major textbook series that you can preview. Each parish or school is encouraged to set up a "Textbook Committee" and utilize the workbook How to Choose Catechetical Textbooks to help you select a series that best meets your parishes' needs. Many other catechist resources are also available for you to preview.
Conformity Listing of Catechetical Texts and Series
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Contact Us
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mvencesarchgh.orgAssociate Director of Evangelization & Catechesis (Habla Español)
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