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!
Most parish religious education programs begin after Labor Day, so I’m sure a number of you are beginning classes this week. My first day is next week, Monday, September 13! When do you begin and how do you feel leading up to this year’s first class? Anyone already started? How’s it going so far? Print Friendly
I spent a wonderful day with about 75 catechetical leaders in Detroit today at a gathering sponsored by the Detroit Society of Catechetical Leaders. We talked about A Well-Built Faith and how we can help our catechists (and those they teach) to be able to grasp their faith and be able to talk about it with greater ease. Thanks for your hospitality and best wishes to all of you in the Detroit Archdiocese! Print Friendly
First of all, thanks to those folks who were concerned because they thought I actually flew home from Italy to teach my class and then fly back! I guess a few folks missed my emphasis on the word VIRTUAL in reference to the pilgrimage to Italy! I’m not on the actual pilgrimage but am conducting a VIRTUAL pilgrimage so that we can, in some small way, share in the experience of those pilgrims who actually […]
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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.
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.
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.
Joy and a true love for Our Lady and Our Lord.
A willingness to serve selflessly. Besides head knowledge I want heart knowledge.
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!
Maggie, thanks. It’s always good to hear what people truly expect of us.
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.
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
“Encouraging of trying new things, ways, and methods” Yes.
Someone who is supportive and doesn’t micromanage.