Diocesan catechist formation opportunities available

Courtesy photo/Deana Froerer

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Catechists attend a study day based on Dominican Sister Janet Schaeffler’s booklet “The Gift of Being a Catechist.”

The Office of Faith Formation is offering new opportunities for men and women to become certified catechists for the Diocese of Salt Lake City. Lay ecclesial minister Nelda Troyer will be conducting a series of online classes beginning on Nov. 9.

“We had 16 catechists who were certified and very positive feedback from those who took the training” in the 2022-23 cycle, said Troyer, a master catechist.

The new series of classes will continue on Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. through Spring 2024 and will fulfill the diocesan certification requirement of 48 hours of instruction, including the diocesan Advent and Lenten retreats.

“I’m also planning to implement The Echoes of Faith, Emmaus edition, for an update,” replacing an earlier version of this program, Troyer said. “I’m very passionate about making a difference to new catechists. I believe the online faith formation training is another avenue to help catechists become more effective in passing on their faith to their learners. With the program being offered online, it is a convenience for everyone, especially for those in the parish mission areas.”

At a Sept. 23 diocesan gathering of parish and mission directors of faith formation, Deana Froerer, a lay ecclesial minister, offered activities and instructions adapted from Dominican Sister Janet Schaeffler’s booklet The Gift of Being a Catechist. Directors of Religious Education from 22 parishes representing four deaneries undertook three training sessions covering different aspects of facilitating the process of faith formation: The Heart of a Catechist, The Tools of the Catechist, and The Ways of the Catechist. They also worked to find new ways to collaborate and connect on shared challenges they face in building faith formation programs at their respective parishes.  

A similar catechist training day was offered by the Office of Faith Formation, under the direction of Susan Northway and Trisha Norcross, on Aug. 26 in Price for catechists from the Eastern Deanery, with more than 20 persons attending.

The DRE study day and Froerer’s outreach of catechist formation in the diocese’s Eastern Deanery are strategic initiatives designed to help achieve the Pastoral Plan goals of comprehensive faith formation in parishes and missions throughout the diocese. Formation classes will continue during the Catechetical Year 2023-24 in the Eastern and Southwestern Deaneries.

For information about registration for catechist certification, phone or email Susan Northway, director of Faith Formation at 801-328-8641 ext. 326 or Susan.Northway@dioslc.org.