Handbook for

Parish Directors and Coordinators of Religious Education

 

Archdiocesan Catechetical Office, Archdiocese of New York 1011 First Ave., New York, New York 10022     

This Handbook contains the vision, policy, programs and procedures developed by the Catechetical Office Staff working in collaboration with the Directors and Coordinators of 

Religious Education 

Copyright 2017 Archdiocese of New York, Catechetical Office,  Archdiocese of New York All rights reserved. 

 

Director of Archdiocesan Catechetical Office Sr. Joan Curtin, CND 

 2017 Edition Revision Committee 

Sr. Teresita Morse, RJM    Editor and Director of Production  Sr. Joan Curtin, CND, Principal Advisor    Ms. Carol Emsworth, Typist Mr. James Connell,  Webmaster Ms. Maureen McKew, Copy Editor Archdiocesan Office of Legal Affairs Mrs. Linda Sgammato, Advisor Fr. Mario Marzocchi, SSS, Graphics 

Catechetical Office Staff: Sr. Zelide Ceccagno, MSCS Sr. Jeannette Chishibanji, SSC Mr. James Connell Mr. Oscar Cruz Sr. Nancy Elizabeth Doran, SSC  Mrs. Linda Fitzsimmons Mrs. Margaret Hoblin Ms. Maureen McKew Sr. Mary Crucifix Pandullo, CSJB  Sr. Catherine Ryan, FSP Sr. Kevin John Shields, OP      

2000 Edition Committee  Sr. Teresita Morse, RJM   Editor and Director of Production  Sr. Joan Curtin, CND, Principal Advisor   

Mr. Paul Ward, Legal Advisor Fr. Mario Marzocchi, SSS, Graphics 

 

 

Catechetical Office Staff: Sr. Anne Connelly, OP Sr. Loretta DeDomenicis, FMA Mrs. Linda DeMarkey Mrs. Frances DeFrange Sr. Miriam Eugene Fenton, SC Sr. Mary Elizabeth Kelleher, OP Ms. Maureen McKew Sr. Loretta Ruvo, RSHM Sr. Catherine Ryan, FSP Mrs. Linda Sgammato Sr. Kevin John Shields, OP Br. Francis Zaglauer, FMS  

 

1

Part One

Program Administration and Coordination

Table of Contents

Archdiocesan Handbook

for Parish Directors and Coordinators of Religious Education

2

Total Parish Catechesis

Total Parish Catechesis TPC-3

Flow Chart for Total Parish Catechesis TPC-4

Catechetical Plan for Whole Parish TPC-5

Essential Elements for Every Parish Religious Education Program, K through 8 TPC-6

Authority Structures for the Catechetical Ministry

The Archbishop AS-3

The Archdiocesan Catechetical Office AS-4

The Pastor AS-5

The Director/Coordinator of Religious Education AS-6

Supervisory Responsibilities AS-7

Job Description of Director/Coordinator AS-7

Minimum Age of Director/Coordinator AS-7

Code of Ethics AS-8

Use of Internet and Social Media for Catechesis

Go to: nyfaithformation.org

Click on: Resources

Click on: Computer and Online Resources.

3

Coordination of Religious Education Program, Pre-School through Eighth Grade

(Job Description)

Purpose of the Parish Religious Education Program JD-3

The Fundamental Tasks of Catechesis JD-3

Essential Elements for Every Religious Education Program JD-4

Direction of Religious Education Program________________ JD-6

Job Description of Religious Education Director/Coordinator JD-6

Relationship with Catechists JD-7

Collaboration with Families JD-9

Support for Multi-Cultural Catechesis JD-10

Program Development JD-11

Organization of Space for Religious Education Program JD-12

Program Administration JD-13

Management of the Budget JD-15

Worksheet for Religious Education Program Budget JD-16

Essential Contents of Religious Education Office File JD-18

Weekly Supervisory Responsibillities of Director/Coordinator JD-20

Monthly Calendar of Director/Coordinator Responsibilities JD-22

4

Coordination of Sacrament Programs

Context for Sacramental Preparation: Religious Education K through 8 Sac-3

Archdiocesan Mandate for Parish Religious Education Programs Sac-3

Immediate Catechesis for First Penance, First Eucharist and Confirmation Sac-4

Administrative Aspects of Sacramental Programs Sac-6

Legal Concerns Regarding a Child’s Reception of a Saccrament Sac-7

Preparation for First Penance Sac-8

Summary of Knowledge Required for Reconciliation Preparation Sac-8

Administrative Aspects of Preparation for First Penance Sac-10

Preparation for First Reception of the Holy Eucharist Sac-11

Summary of Knowledge Required for First Communion Preparation Sac-11

Administrative Aspects of Preparation for First Communion Sac-12

Preparation for Confirmation Sac-13

Requirements for a Child Candidate for Confirmation Sac-13

The Role of the Parents of the Child to be confirmed Sac-14

Requirements for the Sponsor of the Child to be Confirmed Sac-15

Immediate Preparation for Confirmation Sac-16

Administrative Aspects of Preparation for Confirmation Sac-17

Day of Prayer Sample Letters Sac-18

Christian Initiation of Children Who Have Reached Catechetical Age Sac-20

Clarification of Liturgical Categories Sac-21

Excerpts from Code of Canon Law Regarding Sacraments Sac-23

5

Family-Centered Catechesis

Orientation to Family-Centered Catechesis Fam-3

Characteristics of Family-Centered Catechesis Fam-3

Parish Approaches to Family-Centered Catechesis Fam-5

Role of Parish Religious Education Program in Family-Centered Catechesis Fam-6

Approved Models for Formal Family Catechesis Fam-7

in Religious Education Programs in the Archdiocese of New York

Informal Family-Centered Catechesis in the Religious Education Program Fam-9

Home Schooling in Religious Education Fam-10

Request by Parents to Home School for Religious Education Fam-10

Norms for Home Schooling in Religious Education Fam-11

Preparation for First Reception of Sacraments Fam-12

for Families Doing in Home Schooling

6

Catechesis for Children and Youth with Disabilities

Primary Source for this Topic is

Recognizing the Gift:

A Parish Resource Guide for Welcoming Children with Disabilities

Published by Catechetical Office

Introduction Dis-3

Leadership Dis-3

Categories of Disability Dis-4

Catechist Selection and Formation Dis-6

Program Development and Administration Dis-7

Identifying Children Dis-7

Budget Dis-8

Environment Dis-8

Curriculum Resources Dis-8

Sacramental Catechesis for First Penance, First Eucharist, Confirmation Dis-9

7

Personnel Guidelines for Catechists and Other Staff Members

Selection of Potential Catechetical Personnel P-3

Recruitment of Catechists and Catechetical Personnel P-3

Requirements for Acceptance as Catechist or Catechist Assistant P-4

Requirements for Person Under Age of 18 Who Assists the Catechist P-5

Process for Selection of Catechists P-6

Catechist Ministry Responsibilities P-7

Interview with Prospective Catechists P-8

Questions that an Employer Can and Cannot Legally Ask a Candidate P-9

Guidelines for Checking References of Current Catechists & Staff P-11

Guidelines for Providing References for Former Catechists, P-11

Catechist Assistants, or Religious Education Office Staff

Supervision P-12

Catechist Supervision P-12

Supervision of Other Catechetical Staff P-12

Elements of On-Going Supervision and Formation of Catechists P-13

Contents of Catechists File P-15

Appropriate Behavior of Catechetical Personnel P-16

Dress and Appearance P-16

Unsatisfactory Behavior or Performance of Catechetical Personnel P-17

Dismissal of Catechist P-18

Application to be Catechist or Assistant Catechist (English & Spanish) P-19

Catechist’s Weekly Preparation P-31

Catechist’s Lesson Plan (English and Spanish) P-32

8

Program Requirements

Introduction Req-4

Location of Religious Education Sessions Req-5

Plant Safety Req-6

Floor Plan Req-6

Visitors Req-6

Use of Lighted Candles Prohibited Req-6

Drills for Fire, Lock-down, Shelter-in-Place Req-7

Supervision Req-8

Dismissal Req-10

Custodial Rights of Parents Req-11

Absences Req-11

Management of Children Req-12

Discipline Req-12

Dress and Appearance Req-13

Homework Req-13

Retention of a Child Req-14

Confidentiality Req-15

Communication with a Parent Req-15

Confidentiality in the Use of Technology Req-15

Medical Concerns Req-16

Food During Religious Education Program Req-16

Medical Condition of Child Req-16

Medical Emergency Information Req-16

Medication Including Epi-Pen Req-17

9

Transportation Req-19

Field Trips Req-19

Released Time Classes Req-20

Transportation for Released Time Classes Req-21

Administration Req-22

Schedule of Classes Req-22

Calendar Req-22

Copyrighted Materials Req-22

Admission Policy Req-23

Records Req-24

Attendance Register Req-24

Permanent Record Card Req-24

Child Information Record Req-24

Discipline Records Req-25

Access to Child’s Records Req-25

Sample Forms Req-26

Permanent Record Card for Religious Education Req-27

Child Information Record (Yearly Registration Form) Req-29

(English and Spanish)

Agreement to be Used in Case of Child Req-35

with Severe Medical Condition (English and Spanish)

Epinephrine (Epi-Pen) Report Form Req-39

Instructions & Forms for Field Trips, Use of Buses,Released Time Req-40

(English and Spanish)

10

Emergencies and Crisis Management

Definition of Crisis E-3

Accidents and Illness E-4

Student Accident Insurance E-5

Liability Insurance E-6

Severe Allergic Reaction – refer to Req-16

Accident Report for Child/Youth E-7

Accident Report for Parishioner/Volunteer E-10

Blood-borne Pathogens E-11

Blood-borne Pathogens Instruction Sheet for Catechists E-12

Contents of Catechist Biohazard Kit E-13

Norms for Crisis Preparedness E-14

Fire Drills E-15

Shelter-in-Place Drills E-16

Lock-down Drills E-17

Crisis Management Plan E-18

Directions for Designing Crisis Management Plan E-20

Selection of Crisis Management Team E-21

Crisis Response Time Table E-23

Guide for Public Announcements E-24

Crisis Management Plan Checklist E-25

Form for Crisis Management Plan E-26

Sample Letter/Telephone Message for Parents E-28

Post Crisis Report E-29

11

Administration for a Safe Environment

Primary Source for Safe Environment Directives is the Archdiocesan Safe Environment Office.

Directives and Resources of Safe Environment Office SE-3

Safe Environment Training for Children and Youth SE-4

Parent Notification SE-4

Parent Opt-Out Instructions SE-4

Parent Opt-Out Form SE-6

End of the Year Report Instructions SE-4

End of the Year Report SE-5

Personnel Requirements from the Safe Environment Office SE-7

Screening Process and Training SE-7

Required Background Check Forms SE-8

Rosters SE-10

Safe Environment Training SE-11

Safe Environment Checklist SE-12

Designated Reporters for the Parish Community SE-13

Response to Suspected Child Abuse Internal to Religious Education Program SE-14

Response to Suspected Child Abuse External to Religious Education Program SE-15

Characteristic of the Abused Child SE-16

Physical Abuse SE-17

Emotional Maltreatment SE-18

Neglect SE-19

Sexual Abuse SE-20

Warning Signs of a Sexual Abuse Offender SE-21

Anti-Sexual Harassment SE-22

12

Part Two

Professional Development

Table of Contents

Archdiocesan Handbook

for Parish Directors and Coordinators of Religious Education

13

General Directory for Catechesis – Key Concepts

Revelation GD-3

Conversion and Faith GD-4

The Sacraments of Initiation GD-5

Evangelization GD-6

Evangelization and Catechesis GD-7

Ministry of the Word and Catechesis GD-8

Catechesis GD-10

Role of the Parish Community in Catechesis: GD-11

Six Fundamental Tasks of Catechesis

Inculturation GD-13

What Is Inculturation? GD-13

Who Does the Work of Inculturation? GD-14

What Is the Role of Catechesis in Inculturation? GD-15

What Agents does Catechesis Use to Effect Inculturation? GD-17

What is the Role of Language and Media in Inculturation? GD-18

Where is Inculturation Directed? GD-19

14

Profiles of Catechetical Leaders

Personal Characteristics Indicative of a Call to Catechetical Ministry Pro-3

Faith Qualities Essential for the Catechetical Ministry Pro-4

Profiles of Catechetical Leaders Pro-6

Requirements to Become a Director of Religious Education Pro-6

Requirements to Become a Coordinator of Religious Education Pro-7

Competencies of the Director of Religious Education Pro-8

Six Fundamental Tasks of Catechesis Pro-11

Relational Skills of the Director of Religious Education Pro-15

Competencies of the Coordinator of Religious Education Pro- 21

Six Fundamental Tasks of Catechesis Pro-24

Relational Skills of the Coordinator of Religious Education Pro-28

15

Professional Formation of Catechetical Leaders

Formation of Directors and Coordinators PF-3

Requirements for Becoming a Director or Coordinator of Religious Education PF-3

Professional Formation and Training

for Parish Directors and Coordinators of Religious Education PF-4

Prerequisites for Enrollment in Catechetical Leadership Program PF-5

Suggested Time Frame for Educational Process PF-5

Contents of Basic Leadership Training Course PF-6

Advanced Leadership Formation for Coordinators of Religious Education PF-8

Contents of Advanced Leadership Formation PF-9

Training Within the Regional Framework

for Parish Directors and Coordinators of Religious Education PF-14

Use of Internet and Social Media for Catechesis PF-15

Ongoing Professional Development PF-15

Supervision of the Director and Coordinator PF-16

Prerequisites PF-16

Steps to be Followed PF-16

Certification PF-18

Requirements for Certification PF-18

Renewal of Certification PF-19

Personal Record for Formation and Certification Programs PF-20

Application Form for Position of Parish Director/Coordinator PF-24