Catechists: What Do You Look for in a DRE?

I received an e-mail from a friend who is a DRE, and he asked if I had ever posted about what catechists look for in a Director of Religious Education. I told him that I had not but what a wonderful idea for a post! So…

Catechists: please share a few thoughts about what you look for in a Director of Religious Education!

Just type in your comments in the box below. Thanks!

About Joe Paprocki 2757 Articles
Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press, where, in addition to his traveling/speaking responsibilities, he works on the development team for faith formation curriculum resources including Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts and God’s Gift: Reconciliation and Eucharist. Joe has more than 35 years of experience in ministry and has presented keynotes, presentations, and workshops in more than 100 dioceses in North America. Joe is a frequent presenter at national conferences including the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the Mid-Atlantic Congress, and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. He is the author of numerous books, including the best seller The Catechist’s Toolbox, A Church on the Move, Under the Influence of Jesus, and Called to Be Catholic—a bilingual, foundational supplemental program that helps young people know their faith and grow in their relationship with God. Joe is also the series editor for the Effective Catechetical Leader and blogs about his experiences in faith formation at www.catechistsjourney.com.

10 Comments on Catechists: What Do You Look for in a DRE?

  1. I think a DRE should be someone who has a personal relationship with Jesus; someone who is organized; someone who always has the time to talk with catechists and address their concerns.

  2. 1. A faithful and knowledgeable Catholic

    2. Someone with patience & understanding

    3. Someone who has been a catechist.

    4. Someone approachable, who can make the time to listen.

  3. I would want someone who has completed the Basic Faith Formation and either is a Master Catechist or plans to become one. I would also look for someone who has completed the DRE Specialization and has some classroom experience teaching religion.
    I would want someone who had good communication skills and technology savvy. I would also want someone who had a good sense of humor and was able to “bounce back!” I would want them to know it’s not always a 9-5 job and sometimes they may feel discouraged! That’s why it’s very important for them to have a good prayer life.

  4. Joy and a true love for Our Lady and Our Lord.
    A willingness to serve selflessly. Besides head knowledge I want heart knowledge.

  5. I really appreciate being able to read these posts. Having been in the classroom as a Catechist for 9 years before I took the job of Asst. DRE for 2 year, I felt I had a pretty good understanding of what the Catechista needed in a DRE. No amount of ‘experience’ would have prepared me for the next 22years as DRE. So many of my Catechists are friends & I wonder, sometimes, just how ‘honest’ they can be with me. All of the suggestions above are good ones and, while I’m doing pretty well in a lot of them, I’m glad to see the ones I can improve in & spend some more time on. Thanks everyone!

  6. Foremost I think is the ability to support and inspire the catechists. This enthusiasm will be passed onto the children. After that, planning skills that avoid surprises, disruptions and distraction, especially before & during class.

  7. I would be looking for the following in a DRE:
    -Someone to give guidance to the catechists(maybe having an orientation program etc.)
    -Organized and prepared (for example has the end and start dates and days that catechism class will not occur ready for the day we register)
    -Enthusiastic about sharing and teaching our faith to ourselves and the children we are teaching
    -Encouraging of trying new things, ways, and methods

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