Jesus Christ calls catechists to teach the faith in our Catholic schools or parish religious education programs. Catechists in the Diocese of Covington represent the teaching office of the Bishop.
In addition to providing religious education, the catechist nurtures the seeds of faith imparted at Baptism so the Christian may bear great fruit. Catechesis forms the whole person, so they may know God and how to respond to His great love with faith, hope, and charity. From first evangelization, through initiation, to lifelong discipleship, catechesis provides a sure foundation for the Christian life. Catechists accompany their students, helping them to live and bear witness to the faith in the world, preparing them for their eternal reward.
Catechists who are responsible for teaching religion or theology classes must be practicing Catholics with a thorough knowledge of the Christian message and the ability to communicate it completely, faithfully, and enthusiastically; they should also meet diocesan standards for certification as a catechist/teacher. (National Directory for Catechesis 54, Ch. 8, p. 232).
All Catechists Who Teach Religion or Theology Must Be:
- Practicing Catholics in good standing with the Catholic Church,
- 18 years or older,
- In full compliance with the Safe Environment Policies,
- Committed to present and witness to the authentic teachings of the Catholic Church,
- Willing to continue their ministry training, and work towards Certification.
Catechists who teach religion and theology must strive to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to communicate faith effectively. They must have a solid understanding of Catholic Doctrine, Scripture and Tradition, and Church History. They must have the necessary communication skills and ability to use various methodologies with their students; they must understand how people grow and mature, and how people of different ages and circumstances learn
Three Levels of Catechist Certification
The three levels of Catechist Certification are Foundational, Intermediate, and Master. Catechists who teach religion or theology in Catholic schools must take a minimum of 2 workshops per year until the Master Catechist Certification is complete. The courses taken will count towards the professional development hours required of all teachers and should be submitted to the school principal at the conclusion of each school year. These courses may be taken virtually by the individual teacher, in small groups, or at the summer in-person training hosted by the Office of Catechesis and Evangelization.
Parish catechists are strongly encouraged to take a minimum of 2 workshops per year until they reach Master Catechist Certification.
Catechist Certification
Catechists must complete the workshops below to earn the Diocese of Covington’s Catechetical Certification. The workshops may be completed in any order but must be successfully completed and documented to be valid for the purpose of certification. They must be taken through Franciscan University’s Catechetical Institute.
Upon completion of all workshops in a certification track, a certificate will be issued automatically by the Franciscan University’s Catechetical Institute and emailed to the individual’s current email address.
Foundational Certification
Core Workshops (6 Workshops Required for Foundational Certification)
- Jesus – Jesus: The Christocentricity of Catechetics
- Basic Beliefs – Deposit of Faith: An Introduction to the Catechism
- Introduction to Old and New Testaments – Choose one elective
- Introduction to Old Testament
- Introduction to New Testament
- Scripture: The Heart of Catechesis
- The Vocation of the Catechist
- Introduction to Catholic Spirituality – Choose one elective
- Prayer: Introduction to the Spiritual Life of the Catechist
- Praying with Scripture
- Catechetical Process – Choose one elective
- The Ecclesial Method
- The Evangelizing Classroom
- Preventive System of St. John Bosco
- Child Catechetical Methodologies and Learning Styles
- Adult Catechetical Methodologies and Learning Styles
Intermediate Certification
Core Workshops (5 Workshops Required for Intermediate Certification)
- Old and New Testaments – Choose one elective
- Scripture: The Heart of Catechesis
- Sacred Scripture: The Big Picture
- Scripture: The Driving Force of Doctrine
- Christian Morality – Choose two electives
- Our Life in Christ: The Basics of Catholic Morality
- Ten Commandments and Beatitudes
- Teaching Your Children about God’s Plan for Sexuality
- A Foundational Vision: Theology of the Body
- Faith and Moral Development: Ages 3 – 6
- Faith and Moral Development: Ages 6 – 12
- Faith and Moral Development: Ages 12 – 18
- Sacraments – Choose one elective
- The Sacramental Economy
- The Sacrament of Baptism
- The Sacrament of Reconciliation
- The Sacrament of Eucharist
- First Penance and First Eucharist Preparations
- The Sacrament of Confirmation
- Confirmation Preparation
- Liturgy and Rites – Choose one elective
- Introducing Liturgy to Children
- Liturgy and Catechetical Methodology
- Essential Link between Liturgy and Catechesis
- The Purpose of Sacred Liturgy
Master Certification
Core Workshops (4 Workshops Required for Advanced Certification)
- Doctrine of God – Choose one elective
- The Trinity
- The Father: Origin and Desire of All Souls
- Christ: His Person and Works
- Holy Spirit: Converter of Hearts
- Ecclesiology (Church: Vision Mission, Ministry) – Choose one elective
- The Church: Dispenser of the Mysteries and Guardian of the Deposit of Faith
- Magisterial, Conciliar, and Catechetical Documents I
- Magisterial, Conciliar, and Catechetical Documents II
- Family: Domestic Church and School of Holiness
- Church History – No CI Equivalency for this Module (must be taken in-person)
- Justice and Peace – Catholic Social Teaching
Ongoing Faith Formation
Catechists who teach religion/theology and have earned Master Catechist Level of Certification must continue growing in their relationship with Jesus and in their knowledge of the faith. They will participate in a minimum of 10 hours of Ongoing Faith Formation programming annually. Ongoing faith formation can include workshops from the Catechetical Institute, retreats, seminars or other faith formation workshops. Catholic schoolteachers of religion/theology must submit these hours to their principal at the conclusion of each school year. The faith formation hours will be counted toward professional development requirements.
Recommended workshops for ongoing faith formation can be found on the Office of Catechesis and Evangelization’s website or by contacting the office directly.
Diocese of Covington’s Partnership with the Franciscan University of Steubenville Catechetical Institute
The Diocese of Covington entered a partnership with the Franciscan University of Steubenville Catechetical Institute in 2024. Therefore, workshop offerings towards Foundational, Intermediate, and Master Catechist Level of Certification should be taken from the Franciscan@home.com website. Ongoing faith formation trainings may also be taken through the Catechetical Institute.