Catechist Gatherings are called in order for Catechists to come together to:

• Brainstorm upcoming Lesson Plans.
• Review Resources available in the RE Office.
• Develop a Community of Support and Encouragement.
• Increase our Catechist Skills.
• Deepen our Understanding of our Faith.
• Strengthen our Parish's Religious Education Program.

Our Next Catechist Gatherings will take place:

END OF YEAR CATECHIST GATHERING
WEDNESDAY, MAY 5TH
at 6 pm in the McDonough Hall

WHAT IS FOSTERING FAITH?
The Archdiocesan process for Catechist Formation leading to Certification providing structure, content, methods and resources for the formation of catechists leading to Archdiocesan certification through participation in five 10-hour courses.

WHO MAY ATTEND THESE COURSES?
While the Fostering Faith program is designed as a certification process for parish catechists, it is open to all adults in the parish community who wish to attend.

WHERE ARE THESE COURSES HELD?
Catechist formation sessions are offered HERE at St. Giles parish and at various sites around the Archdiocese of Chicago.

WHAT ARE THE COURSES OFFERED? WHEN WILL THEY BE OFFERED?
St Giles Parish will host three Fostering Faith courses this year. Each course consists of four consecutive presentations to be held on Monday evenings from 7 to 9:30 pm in McDonough Hall.

COURSE 1: Revelation through Scripture and Tradition
Monday, September 28, 2009 - Revelation: Scripture and Tradition
Monday, October 5, 2009 - The Old Testament: God’s Revelation through History
Monday, October 12, 2009 - New Testament: God’s Revelation through Jesus
CANCELED - Monday, October 19, 2009 - The Early Church and Scripture
NEW DAY - Monday, October 26, 2009 - The Early Church and Scripture

COURSE 2: Profession of Faith: Creed
Monday, January 25, 2010 - History and Development of the Creeds
Monday, February 1, 2010 - God the Father: Creator and Giver of Life
Monday, February 8, 2010 - God the Son: Redeemer
Monday, February 15, 2010 - God the Holy Spirit: Sanctifier

COURSE 3: Liturgy of the Church: Sacraments and Prayer
Monday, May 3, 2010 - Liturgy as the Prayer and Action of the Church
Monday, May 10, 2010 - Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist
Monday, May 17, 2010 - Sacraments of Healing: Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick
Monday, May24, 2010 - Sacraments of Service to the Community: Matrimony, Holy Orders

Catechist Start-Up Webinars
Joe Paprocki's (of Loyola Press) catechist start-up webinars are now available on YouTube.
Joe is always so practical, so catechists may enjoy it and pick up a few ideas as well.
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=54BB02407D02AFF2

Catechist Journey
http://www.catechistsjourney.org/

National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
http://www.cgsusa.org

The Church in the 21st Century
http://www.bc.edu/sites/c21online/

Finding God
http://www.findinggod.org/

Harcourt Religion Publishers
http://your.harcourtreligion.com/home/index.html

Life After Sunday
http://www.lifeaftersunday.com/

The Holy Rosary
http://www.theholyrosary.org/

Search Institute
http://www.search-institute.org/

Office of Catechesis and Youth Ministry
http://www.catechesis-chicago.org/