Back in the day, when I was a “baby” DRE (Director of Religious Education), I turned to a nifty book for help: Through the Year with the DRE: A Seasonal Guide for Christian Educators (Gail McKenna, Paulist Press). The book is long out of print, but the idea stayed with me and inspired me to create a chart outlining the “typical” responsibilities that a catechetical leader/DRE is faced with over the course of a year. I posted it a few years ago and received some great feedback and suggestions on how to flesh that out and make it more accurate.
Since then, I’ve updated it and now share it again, especially for people just beginning their role as a catechetical leader or for DREs who need some help organizing their planning for the year. The items in italics are events that can happen at various times of the year, depending on local schedules.
JANUARYEvaluate and research catechetical textbook materials Celebrate First Reconciliation Compile program statistics for Kennedy and diocesan reports Parish staff and PPC meetings Cluster/regional meetings Annual DRE retreat Lenten preparation meeting Progress reports or conferences with parents VBS planning Create monthly lesson plans Rite of Acceptance for First Eucharist candidates |
FEBRUARYBegin recruitment of catechists for next year Host parent meeting for First Eucharist Arrange Lenten Reconciliation services Celebrate Rite of Election with RCIA Parish staff and PPC meetings Prepare budget for coming year Planning with parish pastoral staff for coming year Cluster/regional meetings Create monthly lesson plans VBS planning National catechetical gatherings Ongoing catechist formation |
MARCHInterview/evaluate existing catechists Continue recruitment of catechists for next year Celebrate sacraments with RCIA Sacramental prep retreats for Confirmation and First Eucharist Evaluation of current year Parish staff and PPC meetings National catechetical gatherings Lenten Reconciliation services Cluster/regional meetings Ongoing catechist formation Create monthly lesson plans VBS planning Prep meeting for junior high mission trip |
APRILContinue recruitment of catechists for next year Celebrate sacraments with RCIA Ongoing catechist formation Sacramental prep retreats for Confirmation and First Eucharist Parish staff and PPC meetings Evaluation of current year National catechetical gatherings Charter for Protection audit Cluster/regional meetings VBS planning Celebrate Confirmation Create monthly lesson plans Pre-registration for next year |
MAYEnd of year meeting/ celebration with/for catechists Continue recruitment of catechists for next year Parish staff and PPC meetings Cluster/regional meetings Celebrate First Eucharist Progress reports or conferences with parents Create monthly lesson plans VBS planning Confirmation enrollment service |
JUNEContinue recruitment of catechists for next year Parish staff and PPC meetings Cluster/regional meetings Create monthly lesson plans Junior high mission trip |
JULYOrder classroom supplies, materials, and textbooks for coming year Parish staff and PPC meetings Continue recruitment of catechists for next year Create monthly lesson plans Summer catechist formation program Vacation? Time for renewal |
AUGUSTLast-minute catechist recruitment Host new catechist meeting New catechist training Grade level catechist planning meetings Host returning catechists Plan for Catechetical Sunday Parish staff and PPC meetings Send letter to parents about program dates, etc. Summer catechist formation program Create monthly lesson plans Registration of students |
SEPTEMBERLast-minute catechist recruitment Catechetical Sunday (Third Sunday) Host meeting for all parents Parish staff and PPC meetings Registration of students Cluster/regional meetings Sessions begin Catechist training and formation Create monthly lesson plans Beginning of the year Family Masses Initial meeting for First Eucharist/Reconciliation families |
OCTOBERHost Confirmation parents and sponsors meeting Parish staff and PPC meetings Diocesan catechetical conference Create monthly lesson plans Cluster/regional meetings Ongoing catechist formation |
NOVEMBERHost parent meeting for First Reconciliation Celebrate Rite of Welcoming with RCIA Create monthly lesson plans Cluster/regional meetings Diocesan catechetical conference Parish staff and PPC meetings Ongoing catechist formation |
DECEMBERHost Christmas celebration/appreciation party for catechists Parish staff and PPC meetings Cluster/regional meetings Create monthly lesson plans Ongoing catechist formation |
This may also 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 a catechetical leader. Remember to adapt this chart to your local situation.
God bless you folks for keeping all these plates spinning at the same time!
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