From the Desk of Cathy Shannon

Director of Religious Education

 Text Box: With the release of the new National Directory for Catechesis (NDC), it seemed an opportune time to introduce the document as the overarching topic for the Catechetical Conference in October. It also seemed to be a great opportunity to link the conference to the course Foundations of Catechesis; a new adventure for the Ministry Formation and Religious Education Offices. Twenty people took up the challenge starting with writing a reflection paper on their experience of the two day conference. Of the papers turned in so far, each student took a unique approach to their reflections. As the facilitator of the ministry course and director of the conference it wa exciting to read the insights on the catechetical ministry from participants of the conference. In addition, each student will complete two self guided assignments to the NDC and related topics. The challenge in facilitating a class in this way is to make sure that the students have the opportunity to the same foundational areas of catechesis that would be covered in a more tradition al setting and the materials are doable for self study. My hope is the students are finding the readings and activities helpful in their ministry as well as a meaningful learning opportunity.    If you would like to purchase a copy of the NDC in English or Spanish, contact the Office of Religious Education at 503-233-8304 or ddelarosa@archdpdx.org. Cost is $13.00

Foundations of Catechesis Course with a New Twist

Text Box: Foundations of Catechesis Course with a New Twist By Cathy Shannon Text Box: With the release of the new National Directory for Catechesis (NDC), it seemed an opportune time to introduce the document as the overarching topic for the Catechetical Conference in October. It also seemed to be a great opportunity to link the conference to the course Foundations of Catechesis; a new adventure for the Ministry Formation and Religious Education Offices. Twenty people took up the challenge starting with writing a reflection paper on their experience of the two day conference. Of the papers turned in so far, each student took a unique approach to their reflections. As the facilitator of the ministry course and director of the conference it wa exciting to read the insights on the catechetical ministry from participants of the conference. In addition, each student will complete two self guided assignments to the NDC and related topics. The challenge in facilitating a class in this way is to make sure that the students have the opportunity to the same foundational areas of catechesis that would be covered in a more tradition al setting and the materials are doable for self study. My hope is the students are finding the readings and activities helpful in their ministry as well as a meaningful learning opportunity.    If you would like to purchase a copy of the NDC in English or Spanish, contact the Office of Religious Education at 503-233-8304 or ddelarosa@archdpdx.org. Cost is $13.00

Text Box: Foundations of Catechesis Course with a New Twist By Cathy Shannon

With the release of the new National Directory for Catechesis (NDC), it seemed an opportune time to introduce the document as the overarching topic for the

Catechetical Conference in October. It also seemed to be a great opportunity to link the conference to the course Foundations of Catechesis; a new adventure for the Ministry Formation and Religious Education Offices. Twenty people took up the challenge starting with writing a reflection paper on their experience of the two day conference. Of the papers turned in so far, each student took a unique approach to their reflections. As the facilitator of the ministry course and director of the conference it wa exciting to read the insights on the catechetical ministry from participants of the conference. In addition, each student will complete two self guided assignments to the NDC and related topics. The challenge in facilitating a class in this way is to make sure that the students have the opportunity to the same foundational areas of catechesis that would be covered in a more tradition al setting and the materials are doable for self study. My hope is the students are finding the readings and activities helpful in their ministry as well as a meaningful learning opportunity.

  If you would like to purchase a copy of the NDC in English or Spanish, contact the Office of Religious Education at 503-233-8304 or ddelarosa@archdpdx.org. Cost is $13.00