Module 1: Catechesis and the Catechist. This module reviews the role of Catechesis and the vocation of the Catechist through the considerations provided in Church documents, particularly the 2020 Directory for Catechesis. Reflecting on the Divine pedagogy in salvation history and especially in Jesus, the importance of process, storytelling, and questioning will be recommended as teaching techniques. The importance of Kerygma and the Holy Spirit are to be understood as essentials for all information.  

Module 2: Catechetical Tools. In this module, students will learn what the Catholic Primary Resources are, how to find them, and how to use them in all aspects of catechesis including lesson development, environment, and communications with stakeholders. Students will be able to model the use of Catholic sources, so all will learn what the sources offer in content and where to search with their questions. Resources available for deeper study into Catholic Social Teaching will be introduced.  

Module 3: Lesson Structuring. This module will introduce the suggested structure that most catechetical lessons can easily follow. A general history, purpose, and use of Catholic Social Teaching will be introduced, as the principles in Catholic Social Teaching (the Gospel in action) will be used as a basepoint in subsequent learning.      

Module 4: Applying Catholic Social Teaching in Catechesis – Being Made in God’s Image. Students will reflect on what it means to be made in God’s image and important distinctions in the human person. This view of the human person will affect the approach to individual students, conflict resolution, and classroom management. An overview of the Theology of the Body and some bioethical issues will be presented.

Module 5: Applying Catholic Social Teaching to Catechesis: Call to family, community, participation and Solidarity. Recognizing that the Trinity is a relationship of love and has created us as social beings to lead us to participate in God’s love, students will evaluate how to encourage their students’ personal responsibility in fostering positive relationships with other students, family members, and local and global communities. Attendees will also reflect on his/her role in relationship to others and what is not within the scope of the catechist’s role according to the principle of subsidiarity, learn strategies for developing group work with students, appreciate the incorporation of culture, discover the opportunities of using the saints as examples and intercessors, and learn where to find principles and answers to questions on morality in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.      

Module 6: Applying Catholic Social Teaching to Catechesis: Rights, responsibilities, and the dignity of work and workers. Students will be reminded of the principles of being endowed with inalienable rights, the responsibility of each person to use these rights and respect them in each person, the common good, the dignity of work and the need to protect the others’ rights. As the work of God is continued in the Sacraments, an overview of Section II of the Catechism of the Catholic Church will be presented. Pedagogical topics will introduce educational movements such as the growth mindset vocabulary within God’s Grace. The importance of established and practiced class and personal procedures will be emphasized.    

Module 7: Option for the Poor and the Vulnerable.  Students will be given an overview of the CST principle of the preferential option of the Poor. The Church’s view of Faith and reason and the Catholic worldview in all academic subjects will be presented. Pedagogically, students will learn the importance of setting good climate and a physical and emotional environment conducive to catechesis.

Module 8: Care for God’s Creation. Students will apply the knowledge that grace builds on nature and that the Sacramental worldview values the created world as a God-given gift which means to grow in God’s love. Students will learn the most accepted stages of development in the human person so as to better understand self as well as the students. Attendees will also learn the importance of creating a classroom environment, both physically and emotionally, that supports students learning. Attention will also be given to recent Church documents on the importance of creation.