In a previous post I had spoken of the National Directory for Catechesis articulating that in the modern world there is a need to “investigate new possibilities offered by the existence of the new technologies and imagine whole new models and systems if the Gospel message is to penetrate the culture, make sense to the next generation of Catholics, and bring about a response of faith” (from the Introduction under “challenges in the Ministry of Catechesis).
What will this look like in Religious Education? How can we bring this New Evangelization into the classroom and engage the next generation of Catholics and most importantly “bring about a response of faith”?
I’ll share three things I think we as catechetical leaders must do:
1) These new models and systems must involve parents. We must give back what education has often taken away – their role as the primary educators. We cannot have the success we desire if the parents are mostly on the outside looking in. We must find better ways to involve them and empower them as the one who is primary in the faith formation of their child.
2) These models must involve a greater engagement of those being taught through what I would call “movement” in a classroom setting. Presentations from the Catechist that last most of the class will no longer reach the children and youth of today. Classrooms must move around, go to the church or some location that one can teach from but our method of teaching must go beyond staying in the classroom and merely presenting the topic to the students present.
3) We need to use more of the tools at our disposal – technology. Media, movies, power-point, video clips, art, and other props to help engage the attention of students.
These three means are not exhaustive or intended to limit the other possibilities, but are to begin to move toward models of teaching and passing on the Faith that will help bring about a response of faith from those we are teaching. May the Holy Spirit lead us and speak to the hearts of those we are seeking to pass the Faith onto.
May 20, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Good stuff, Bill! Being a teaching in a Catholic school my entire teaching career, I would have to agree that even in the last 15 years times have changed so much… Keep up your great work!
June 16, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Okay, William. I’ve spent most of the day reading your blog, very interesting! I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on it. A few questions to ponder, and hopefully address in the future.
How do we, as Catechists and/or DRE’s, involve the parents more? How do we help them to realize their primary role as Catechists in their child’s life?
And, as our world and society move deeper into technology. How can we, again, as Catechists and/or DRE’s, incorporate this technology in the classroom? I have used, and helped other Catechists use, slideshows, music, and movie clips. But this is not a common thing in our classrooms. For most Catechists this is just adding one more thing for them to master and use.
June 23, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Dear Jenn,
Thanks for commenting on my blog. That is great that you are helping catechists use technology in the classroom. You are right that it is just one more thing for many, but if we can seek to continually inspire the catechists to find ways to communicate Christ and help their students connect with Christ then they will want to use slideshows, music and movie clips in their classrooms.
I’ve help come up with outlines for all the lessons my catechists carry out so I think that helps and gives them some additional time to be creative – assuming they take advantage of it.
Involving parents is a critical question that I am seeking to expand upon in my ministry. This year I’m going to have students take home the family page from our Faith First textbooks. I’m going to try to send out a monthly newsletter to parents and I hope to provide them resources throughout the year. I’m going to involve the 2nd grade parents even more this year by having them come to class a few times with their child. Constantly communicating with parents that they are the primary formators of their child’s whole life. Helping them see it and trying to empower them to talk about and live their faith outwardly is vital if we are to pass on the faith. It is challenging but I keep trying to work on it.
Thanks again for sharing. God bless you!