Certificate in Catechesis

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Audience

This certificate program is designed for persons in catechetical ministry who are either just beginning, or need some further courses to bolster their understanding and depth of the Church’s teachings and methodology in catechetics. This would include:

  • Volunteer catechists
  • Catholic school religion teachers
  • Others whose ministry would be enriched by formal certification in this field.

In order to receive a certificate of completion, individuals must complete all courses. On rare occasions, one or two courses may be waived if individuals provide proof of completing such courses at an accredited institution or within a diocesan certification program.

  • Please Note:
  • If you are looking to be certified as a catechist in your diocese please check with your parish Director of Religious Education (DRE) or contact the diocesan Director of Faith Formation first. You may not be required to sign up for the VLCFF certificate program.

Requirements

  1. Complete the application form (use the link found below) and pay the $20.00 / $35.00 fee for Level One.
  2. Complete the 6 required courses for Level One. Successfully complete the required work for each course including the additional catechist exercises in each session of the course.
    1. It is recommended that the courses in each level be taken in sequence.
    2. Normal Course and Seminar fees apply.
    3. You are responsible for self-registering for all courses.
  3. Complete the application form (use the link found below) and pay the $20.00 / $35.00 fee for Level Two. Successfully complete the required work for each course including the additional catechist exercises in each session of the course.
  4. Up to two courses taken with a diocese may be applied toward the Certificate in Catechesis.
    1. The Diocesan Catechetical Leader is required to submit a letter to the Director of the VLCFF indicating that the selected course/s was equivalent to 2.5 CEUs (25 clock hours of work) and met the equivalent VLCFF course objectives.
  5. It is your responsibility to keep track of your progress in the program: Keep track of the courses you have taken, and when you have finished the program, contact Richard Drabik with your request for your certificate of completion.

Level I Courses

  • Theology:

    1. Survey of Catholic Doctrine
    2. Introduction to Scripture
    3. Images of Jesus
    4. Sacraments

  • Method:

    1. Roman Catholic Catechesis for Faith Formation

  • Formation:

    1. Introduction to Prayer

Level II Courses

  • Theology:

    1. Old Testament
    2. New Testament
    3. Ecclesiology: Beginnings of the Church
    4. Introduction to Practical Morality

  • Method:

    1. Faith and Human Development

  • Formation:

    1. Vocation, Spirituality, and Discipleship of Catechists

Textbooks

For required texts, please refer to the Course Catalog and note the descriptions for each course.

Register

If you are new to the VLCFF, please complete a user profile (in the Become a New Student page, click the link to create your profile). You must be logged in to see the registration link.