A couple of years ago, I posted a chart outlining the “typical” responsibilities that a catechetical leader/DRE is faced with over the course of a year and I received great feedback and suggestions on how to flesh that out and make it more accurate. I recently pulled that chart back out, did some updating, and invited a few DRE friends to do the same and once again received some great suggestions. Here it is once again for your perusal. The items in italics are events that can happen at various times of the year depending on local schedules but I had to place them somewhere.
JANUARYEvaluate & research catechetical textbook materialsCelebrate First Reconciliationcompile program statistics for Kennedy and Diocesan reportsParish staff & PPC meetingsCluster/Regional meetingsAnnual DRE retreatOngoing catechist formationLenten preparation meetingProgress reports or conferences with parentsVBS planningCreate monthly lesson plansRite of Acceptance for First Eucharist candidates |
FEBRUARYBegin recruitment of catechists for next yearHost parent meeting for First CommunionArranging Lenten reconciliation servicesCelebrate Rite of Election with RCIAParish staff & PPC meetingsPrepare budget for coming yearPlanning with parish pastoral staff for coming yearCluster/Regional meetingsCreate monthly lesson plansVBS planningNational catechetical gatheringsOngoing catechist formation |
MARCHInterview/evaluate existing catechistsContinue recruitment of catechists for next yearCelebrate sacraments with RCIASacramental Prep Retreats for Confirmation and 1st EucharistEvaluation of current yearParish staff & PPC meetingsNational catechetical gatheringsLenten reconciliation servicesCluster/Regional meetingsOngoing catechist formationCreate monthly lesson plansVBS planningPrep meeting for junior high mission trip |
APRILContinue recruitment of catechists for next yearCelebrate sacraments with RCIAOngoing catechist formationSacramental Prep Retreats for Confirmation and 1st EucharistParish staff & PPC meetingsEvaluation of current yearNational catechetical gatheringsCharter for Protection AuditCluster/Regional meetingsVBS planningCelebrate ConfirmationCreate monthly lesson plansPre-registration for next year |
MAYEnd of year meeting/celebration with/for catechistsContinue recruitment of catechists for next yearParish staff & PPC meetingsCluster/Regional meetingsCelebrate First CommunionProgress reports or conferences with parentsCreate monthly lesson plansVBS planningConfirmation enrollment service |
JUNEContinue recruitment of catechists for next yearParish staff & PPC meetingsCluster/Regional meetingsCreate monthly lesson plansVacation Bible SchoolJunior high mission trip |
JULYOrder classroom supplies, materials, and textbooks for coming yearParish staff & PPC meetingsContinue recruitment of catechists for next year’Create monthly lesson plansSummer catechist formation programVacation? Time for renewal |
AUGUSTLast minute catechist recruitmentHost new catechist meetingNew catechist trainingGrade level catechist planning meetingsHost returning catechistsPlan for Catechetical SundayParish staff & PPC meetingsSend letter to parents about RE program dates, etc.Summer catechist formation programCreate monthly lesson plansRegistration of students |
SEPTEMBERLast-minute catechist recruitmentCatechetical Sunday (3rd Sunday)Host parent meeting for all parentsParish staff & PPC meetingsRegistration of studentsCluster/Regional meetingsSessions beginCatechist training and formationCreate monthly lesson plansBeginning of the Year Family MassesInitial meeting for First Eucharist/Reconciliation families |
OCTOBERHost confirmation parents and sponsors meetingParish staff & PPC meetingsDiocesan catechetical conferenceCreate monthly lesson plansCluster/Regional meetingsOngoing catechist formation |
NOVEMBERHost parent meeting for First ReconciliationCelebrate Rite of Welcoming with RCIACreate monthly lesson plansCluster/Regional meetingsDiocesan catechetical conferenceParish staff & PPC meetingsOngoing catechist formation |
DECEMBERHost Christmas celebration/appreciation party for catechistsParish staff & PPC meetingsCluster/Regional meetingsCreate monthly lesson plansOngoing catechist formation |
Any suggestions, thoughts, questions, or comments?
This may be helpful for those of you in catechetical leader positions or diocesan positions who need to flesh out a job description for the role of catechetical leader. Here is the chart in a Word file for those of you who might need to adapt this to your local situation. A “Typical” Year in the Life of a DRE
God bless you folks for keeping all these plates spinning at the same time!!!
February 7, 2013 at 11:13 am
This is great! I wish people in our parishes would see this. People think we just show up for the hour of religious ed and it magically happens. Some weeks I’m lucky if I even get one day off since we have to be at Masses many weekends.
Many people in my area (which I hear is a new trend) have more than a DRE title. I’m doing DRE and youth minister. Some people are DRE and pastoral associate, etc.
I also like this as a way to make sure I’m on track. This is my fifth year as a DRE and I finally realize what I can do to plan ahead. My first few years I was just going step by step with no idea what I was doing next.
My Diocese also has a chart… I’ll have to see if I can find it… if I can I will send it to you.
February 7, 2013 at 11:45 am
Thanks Jenn…5 years already? Wow! You’re an “old pro” at it now!
February 11, 2013 at 7:29 pm
What a concise and enlightening overview – it lists the wide variety of tasks and roles that a DRE takes on, and shows how they overlap and intertwine during the year. While some tasks culminate in a celebration or arrive at an end-of-program, other responsibilities are never-ending (such as recruiting and forming catechists).
I plan to share this with our New Directors group (DREs and DYMs in their first year in a parish) as a discussion-starter about their experience thus far and how they can look ahead toward the next year in ministry. Of course, we’ll introduce them to all the great resources in Catechist’s Journey. Thanks, Joe.
February 11, 2013 at 9:23 pm
Thanks, Gary! Glad I can help!