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Religious Education Programs
Supporting Catechetical Programs for Children and Adolescents
"While giving increased emphasis to adult catechesis, the faith community must also strive continually to provide parish programs of high quality for children"
-The National Catechetical Directory for Catholics in the United States, NCCB, 1977
The Office of Catechesis actively supports the catechetical mission at the local level by regular on-site visitation and curriculum support. Program support
includes
the development of guidelines and policies for administration, staff development assistance, and funding for catechetical initiatives.
Parish Visitation
The Associate Director responsible for Elementary Religious Education visits parishes within our diocese. Meetings are scheduled with DRE/CRE and pastor (when his schedule permits). The purpose of these visits is to affirm the good taking place within the parish, support the catechetical leaders on site, assess their needs and determine how the Diocesan Office of Catechesis can be of assistance.
Elementary School Support
Visitation
An Associate Director from the Office of Catechesis joins with the Visitation Team from the Office of Catholic Schools to visit the Diocesan Elementary Schools. During these visits time is set aside to meet individually with the Pastor, DRE/CRE, School Principal and School Religion Coordinator. The purpose of these visits is to provide support, discuss strategies, share resource ideas, assess needs and affirm the good taking place.
Religion Coordinators Meeting
Meetings are structured to provide opportunities for enrichment and growth among Religion Coordinators in Catholic Schools. They include presentations on pertinent topics, input from Office of Catholic Schools and Office of Catechesis and networking among the participants.
Secondary School Support
Visitation
The Associate Director responsible for Adolescent Catechesis visits each of the eleven Catholic Secondary Schools within the diocese annually. During these visits time is set aside to meet with the Pastor of the parish (if the school is a parish school), the Principal, the Religious Studies Department Chair, the Chaplain, Campus Ministry and Service directors, as well as any new religion teachers. The purpose of these visits is to provide support, review curriculum, and assess needs.
Assisting in the Hiring of Secondary School Religion Teachers
The Office of Catechesis assists the Catholic Secondary Schools in finding quality Religious Studies teachers. Colleges and Universities are annually contacted about the possibility of openings in the Religious Studies Departments of schools within the diocese. The Associate Director responsible for Adolescent Catechesis interviews qualified applicants and forwards their resumes and contact information on to schools seeking teachers.
The Bishop Reiss Scholarship
Secondary School Religious Studies Teachers are encouraged to have a Master?s degree in Theology or Religious Studies or be working toward it. The Bishop Reiss Scholarship enables teachers to receive tuition funding for the completion of their degree.
For information on Secondary School support, contact Mr. Martin Arsenault. 609-406-7400, ext. 5552. marsen@dioceseoftrenton.org
The Parish Catechetical Grant
This grant has been established to make funds available for innovative and effective efforts that foster the catechetical ministry at the parish level. They may be used for:
Contact Us:
Office of Catechesis
Diocesan Pastoral Center
701 Lawrenceville Road
Trenton, NJ 08648-0147
Phone: 609-406-7400 ext. 5620
Fax: 609-406-7418
E-mail: marsen@dioceseoftrenton.org
Director: Martin J. Arsenault
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