Comments on: A “Typical” Year in the Life of the DRE http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2009/03/23/a-typical-year-in-the-life-of-the-dre/ Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:42:50 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Joe http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2009/03/23/a-typical-year-in-the-life-of-the-dre/comment-page-1/#comment-1319 Joe Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:37:42 +0000 http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/?p=1016#comment-1319 Thanks, Shirley...better late than never. My experience is that most DREs in parishes with schools serve as a resource to the school religion program, not necessarily responsible for the curriculum in the school but deeply involved. Thanks for your suggestions. Thanks, Shirley…better late than never. My experience is that most DREs in parishes with schools serve as a resource to the school religion program, not necessarily responsible for the curriculum in the school but deeply involved. Thanks for your suggestions.

]]> By: Shirley http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2009/03/23/a-typical-year-in-the-life-of-the-dre/comment-page-1/#comment-1318 Shirley Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:40:58 +0000 http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/?p=1016#comment-1318 Sorry to chime in so late... I'm glad Victor mentioned meeting with the Pastoral staff... communication between DRE and Pastor is critical... the DRE is after all implementing the Pastor's vision for religious education of his 'flock'. (I believe that communication is so critical it should be at least weekly and therefore shouldn't even need to be mentioned... yet it is often overlooked). Question - is it typical in parishes with schools to have the DRE responsible for the RE program/curriculum in the school as well as the parish? If so, maybe the chart needs some school-specific activities identified. If not, then at minimum some activities for the coordination with the school for selection of curriculum and planning of sacrament prep should be included. Shirley Sorry to chime in so late…

I’m glad Victor mentioned meeting with the Pastoral staff… communication between DRE and Pastor is critical… the DRE is after all implementing the Pastor’s vision for religious education of his ‘flock’. (I believe that communication is so critical it should be at least weekly and therefore shouldn’t even need to be mentioned… yet it is often overlooked).

Question – is it typical in parishes with schools to have the DRE responsible for the RE program/curriculum in the school as well as the parish? If so, maybe the chart needs some school-specific activities identified. If not, then at minimum some activities for the coordination with the school for selection of curriculum and planning of sacrament prep should be included.

Shirley

]]> By: Joe http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2009/03/23/a-typical-year-in-the-life-of-the-dre/comment-page-1/#comment-1280 Joe Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:26:13 +0000 http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/?p=1016#comment-1280 Victor, thanks so much for your suggestions. It's amazing how diverse the role of DRE/CRE really is, and yet, we all share so many commonalities! Love your "find the DRE/catechists" activity! Victor, thanks so much for your suggestions. It’s amazing how diverse the role of DRE/CRE really is, and yet, we all share so many commonalities! Love your “find the DRE/catechists” activity!

]]> By: Victor Valdez http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2009/03/23/a-typical-year-in-the-life-of-the-dre/comment-page-1/#comment-1279 Victor Valdez Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:56:18 +0000 http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/?p=1016#comment-1279 I also added the Confirmation Retreat and catechetical reporting to the (Arch) Diocese. Our parent meetings are done in the context of a family potluck supper on Sundays, one prior to First Rec. and the second before First Eucharist, with an opportunity for a little whole community catechesis. We also make it fun: "Can you find the DRE or catechists in these First Communion group pictures?" Did I say black and white? In the fall there is an evening gathering for Candidates, parents and sponsors, in the area, for a Confirmation covenant signing. This has really helped to get everyone on the same page. In the past couple of years, the parishes in our Deanery have joined to offer catechist formation workshops in August. Our Archdiocese also sponsors a regional conference every year with neighboring dioceses. Also an essential task that wasn't listed is a calendar planning meeting with the Pastoral Staff to plan for the coming year. Of course, if we were all mind readers, this task would be alleviated. Thanks, Joe, for asking. Vic I also added the Confirmation Retreat and catechetical reporting to the (Arch) Diocese.

Our parent meetings are done in the context of a family potluck supper on Sundays, one prior to First Rec. and the second before First Eucharist, with an opportunity for a little whole community catechesis. We also make it fun: “Can you find the DRE or catechists in these First Communion group pictures?” Did I say black and white?

In the fall there is an evening gathering for Candidates, parents and sponsors, in the area, for a Confirmation covenant signing. This has really helped to get everyone on the same page.

In the past couple of years, the parishes in our Deanery have joined to offer catechist formation workshops in August. Our Archdiocese also sponsors a regional conference every year with neighboring dioceses.

Also an essential task that wasn’t listed is a calendar planning meeting with the Pastoral Staff to plan for the coming year. Of course, if we were all mind readers, this task would be alleviated.

Thanks, Joe, for asking.
Vic

]]> By: Joe http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2009/03/23/a-typical-year-in-the-life-of-the-dre/comment-page-1/#comment-1273 Joe Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:03:59 +0000 http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/?p=1016#comment-1273 Right, Jessica...there's no way to put together a list that is iron-clad for all DREs. There are many local variances. Right, Jessica…there’s no way to put together a list that is iron-clad for all DREs. There are many local variances.

]]> By: Jessica http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2009/03/23/a-typical-year-in-the-life-of-the-dre/comment-page-1/#comment-1272 Jessica Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:49:40 +0000 http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/?p=1016#comment-1272 In the Catholic Diocese of Wichita we have our Annual Report due in October so it just depends on the diocese. In the Catholic Diocese of Wichita we have our Annual Report due in October so it just depends on the diocese.

]]> By: Joe http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2009/03/23/a-typical-year-in-the-life-of-the-dre/comment-page-1/#comment-1271 Joe Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:28:55 +0000 http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/?p=1016#comment-1271 Maura, as always, you are extremely knowledgeable and helpful! Thanks so much! Maura, as always, you are extremely knowledgeable and helpful! Thanks so much!

]]> By: Maura Sweeney http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2009/03/23/a-typical-year-in-the-life-of-the-dre/comment-page-1/#comment-1270 Maura Sweeney Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:57:52 +0000 http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/?p=1016#comment-1270 Joe A few things I things I would add. January (at least in my diocese) compile program statistics for Kennedy and Diocesan reports March /April Sacramental Prep Retreats for Confirmation and 1st Eucharist In March/April we are seeking evaluations of the program from parents and high school Students to plan inporvements for next year. April/ May we are preparing for the Charter for Protection Audit At the end of the Religious Ed year we also host a dessert buffet in appreciation of the Catechists hard work combined with a debriefing session on the year. November Catechist Appreication Week in the New England Region. Our Parish does a ministry retreat for all those involved in catechisis and evangelization. ( we include the mappiage prep, baptism prep, RCIA and Mass ministry members with our catechists.) October - March are Sacramental prep meetings ( We don't just do one) for Reconciliation and 1st Eucharist. I noticed that recruitment was an almost year round task. Another thing I would add as year round would be taking time to nurture ourselves spiritually or intellectually. Joe
A few things I things I would add.
January (at least in my diocese) compile program statistics for Kennedy and Diocesan reports
March /April Sacramental Prep Retreats for Confirmation and 1st Eucharist
In March/April we are seeking evaluations of the program from parents and high school Students to plan inporvements for next year.
April/ May we are preparing for the Charter for Protection Audit
At the end of the Religious Ed year we also host a dessert buffet in appreciation of the Catechists hard work combined with a debriefing session on the year.
November Catechist Appreication Week in the New England Region. Our Parish does a ministry retreat for all those involved in catechisis and evangelization. ( we include the mappiage prep, baptism prep, RCIA and Mass ministry members with our catechists.)
October – March are Sacramental prep meetings ( We don’t just do one) for Reconciliation and 1st Eucharist.
I noticed that recruitment was an almost year round task. Another thing I would add as year round would be taking time to nurture ourselves spiritually or intellectually.

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