Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston Guidelines for Parish Catechetical Leaders Prepared by the Office of Catechesis and Christian Initiation and the Diocesan Board of Catechetical Advisors Approved by Most Reverend Robert E. Guglielmone Bishop of Charleston December 3, 2013, for implementation beginning January, 2014 Table of Contents Section Page Table of Contents…………………………………………………………………………………. 2 1. Catechetical Leaders....................................................................................................... 5 The Bishop as Catechetical Leader………………………………......………………………... 5 The Office of Catechesis and Christian Initiation……………………………………………… 5 The Pastor or Parish Administrator as Catechetical Leader…………………………………. 6 Parents and Parishioners as Catechists………………………………………………………. 6 The Ministry of Designated Catechetical Leaders…………………………………………….. 7 Parish and School Catechists………………………………………………………………….... 8 2. The Parish Catechetical Leader...................................................................................... 9 Ministerial Relationships…………………………………………………………………………. 9 DRE or CRE?..................................................................................................................... 11 The DRE…………………………………………………………………………………... 11 The CRE…………………………………………………………………………………… 12 Code of Ethics for Parish Catechetical Leaders……………………………………………….. 13 DRE/CRE Self-Evaluation ………………………………………………………………………. 14 Director of Religious Education Certification…………………………………………………... 14 Diocesan Board of Catechetical Advisors (DBCA)……………………………………………. 15 3. Administrative Guidelines for Parish Programs…………………………………………... 16 Attendance Policies………………………………………………………………………………. 16 Background Check, Safe Environment Training, and Code of Conduct Form…………….. 16 Bullying…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 17 Certification Record Keeping for DREs, CRE’s, and Catechists……………………………. 17 Class Hours……………………………………………………………………………………...... 17 Copyright Laws……………………………………………………………………………………. 18 Curricula and Guidelines…………………………………………………………………………. 18 Liturgical and Sacramental Celebrations……………………………………………………….. 18 Multi-Media Resources………………………………………………………………………….... 19 Registration Forms……………………………………………………………………………….. 19 Retreats……………………………………………………………………………………………. 19 Service……………………………………………………………………………………………... 19 Textbooks……………………………………………………………………………………….…. 20 4. Supervision and Safety of Students.............................................................................. 20 Accident/Incident Report………………………………………………………………………… 20 Allergies…………………………………………………………………………….……………… 20 Automobile Drivers………………………………………………………………….……………. 21 Cell Phones…………………………………………………………………………….…………. 21 Child Protection ……………………………………………………………………………….….. 21 2 Classroom Rules Governing Behavior…………………………………………………………. 22 Confidentiality Issues…………………………………………………………………………….. 22 CPR………………………………………………………………………………………………… 22 Custody Situations………………………………………………………………………………... 22 Discipline…………………………………………………………………………………………... 22 Evacuation Procedures…………………………………………………………………………... 23 Field Trips………………………………………………………………………………………..... 23 Fire Doors………………………………………………………………………………………….. 24 Medical Emergencies…………………………………………………………………………….. 24 Medication…………………………………………………………………………………………. 24 Parental Notification………………………………………………………………………………. 24 Permission Slips…………………………………………………………………………………... 24 Recommendations………………………………………………………………………………... 25 Referrals…………………………………………………………………………………………… 25 Reporting of Child Abuse………………………………………………………………………... 25 Search and Seizure………………………………………………………………………………. 25 Social Media ……………………………………………………………………………………… 26 Student Pregnancy……………………………………………………………………………….. 26 Supervision………………………………………………………………………………………… 26 Visitor Policy………………………………………………………………………………………. 26 Weather Events …………………………………………………………………………………... 26 5. Catechesis for Children and Others with Special Needs……………………….………… 27 Identification of Students…………………..………………………………………….….………. 27 Individual Education Coordinator…………………………………………………………….….. 27 Sacramental Textbooks………………………………………………………………………..…. 28 Regional/Deanery Planning for Small Parishes……………………………………...………… 28 Diocesan Resources…………………………………………………………………..………….. 28 South Carolina Department of Education Definitions of Handicapping Conditions……..…. 28 Catholic Resources………………………………………………………………………………... 28 6. Catechetical Textbook Evaluation…………………………………………………………….. 29 Textbook Review Worksheet…………………………………………..…………………………. 30 7. Sacramental Preparation……………………………………………………………………...… 33 Sacraments, as Described by the Bishops of the United States…………………………..… 33 Rights and Responsibilities of the Faithful……………………………………………..…….... 33 A Note on Sacramental Records……………………………………………………………..….. 33 The Sacrament of Reconciliation and Preparation for First Penance……………………..… 34 The Sacrament of Holy Eucharist and Preparation for First Communion…………..…..….. 37 The Sacrament of Confirmation and Preparation for Its Reception……………….……....… 40 Children and Full Christian Initiation…………………………………………………….…....…. 46 8. U.S. Bishops’ Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities………………………………………………………………………………………….. 47 3 9. Alternative Models of Catechesis ………………………………………………………….... 48 Family-Centered Catechesis…………………………………………………………………….. 48 Intergenerational Catechesis……………………………………………………………............ 48 Lectionary-Based Catechesis……………………………………………………….............…. 49 Home-Based Catechesis……………………………………………………………............….. 49 Bilingual Catechesis………………………………………………………………….……….…... 52 10. Recruiting Catechetical Volunteers………………………………………………….….……. 53 Catechist Screening Interview………………………………………………………………….... 55 11. Catechist Formation Program……………………………………………………………….... 56 Current Diocesan Formation Program………………………………………………………..... 56 Catechist Formation Implementation Guidelines…………………………...........………...... 57 Ways to Observe a Catechist………………………………………………………………….... 58 End-of-the-Year Thoughts for Catechists…………………………………………………..….. 59 12. Forms and Resources and Where to Find Them………………………………………….. 61 13. Emergencies and Crises: Prevention and Response Plan……………………………… 62 Characteristics of a Safe Faith Formation Program ………………………………………..... 62 Fire and Emergency Procedures…………………………………………………………..……. 64 Crisis Plan for Religious Education ………………………………………………………….…. 64 Appendix: Recommendation for Revisions to These Guidelines ………………………….. 66 4 1. Catechetical Leaders The Bishop as Catechetical Leader The teaching of the Catholic faith in the Diocese of Charleston is, as is true in any diocese throughout the world, the “first task” of the Bishop, who is called to preach the Gospel and to assure that the faithful receive authentic instruction in the truths of the faith (Catechism of the Catholic Church 888; see Presbyterorum Ordinis 4; see Mk 16:15). Thus, it is the Bishop who approves guidelines and curricula for religious education and recommends policies for implementation throughout the diocese. Additional details about how the Bishop delegates teaching authority to pastors and parish administrators and, through them, to catechetical leaders and catechists may be found in the introductory material to the “Elementary Religion Curriculum: Diocese of Charleston” (2010). The Office of Catechesis and Christian Initiation This diocesan office oversees the comprehensive process of religious education throughout the diocese, including parish programs, Catholic school religion curricula, and the RCIA process. Through the Secretary of Education and Faith Formation, the office staff and its director work with the Catholic Schools Office, the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, and the Office of Campus Ministry to see to it that practical and theologically sound materials and resources are used and that catechetical leaders, Catholic school teachers, catechists, and all those involved in faith formation receive opportunities for appropriate training and support. The office provides workshops on the deanery and the diocesan level, hosts liturgical celebrations for those participating in the RCIA process, reviews and updates programs and materials in consultation with a Diocesan Board of Catechetical Advisors (see p. 15), and conducts site visits to parishes and schools to assess needs and survey implementation of curriculum guidelines and catechist training and certification programs. At the heart of its ministry is the Church’s call to evangelization and to a “new” evangelization amid a changing culture. 5 The Pastor or Parish Administrator as Catechetical Leader Catechesis is one of the fundamental priorities in the life of the parish and its mission. The pastor or parish administrator is charged by the bishop to see to it that faith formation is a priority in the parish (National Directory for Catechesis, 2008 [4th printing], pp. 100; 220-221). This means that catechetical leaders and catechists are carefully chosen and that the best materials are available. Faith formation is at its best when pastors and parish administrators are actively engaged in the ongoing formation of all of their parishioners and careful to prioritize religious education programs and initiatives when they create their parish budgets. They recognize that leadership in all other ministries is best fostered when there is effective catechetical ministry and lay formation. It is through parish leadership that the parish’s mission is more clearly articulated and carried out. The pastoral ministry