lead

Lead

Reviewing and Renewing a Faith Formation Program

Attention: open in a new window.

After more than 25 years in catechetical ministry, I started to look back on what was asked of me in five different parishes over those years. Some of the answers were to reorganize, create permanent records, minister to families, and all the rest of what we do. At each parish, however, something else happened: the numbers of families joining the program grew; the number of families “coming home” to the Catholic Church grew. What was causing this “bonus” effect of parish growth?

Meet a Catechetical Leader: Lissa Hutcheson

Attention: open in a new window.

As a catechist, DRE, and parent of children who have been catechized, Lissa Hutcheson has multiple perspectives on parish ministry. When a parent notifies her that his or her child will not be able to attend class because of extra homework, a soccer game, or a family birthday party, Hutcheson understands that chastising the parent won’t necessarily compel a parent to become more involved in his or her child’s religious education.

Lissa Hutcheson

Leader: Lissa Hutcheson
Position: Director of Catechetical Ministry
Diocese: San Diego, CA
"I love when the kids from different grade levels interact with one another. They learn from each other and are even better behaved!"

“If a child can’t come into class that evening, I suggest other ways for the parent to help the child experience Christ that night. For example, a family prayer on the car ride to the soccer game.”

Easter Is a Season, Not One Day

Attention: open in a new window.

by Kathy Henry

Easter lily For many Christians, Lent is a popular, longsuffering road culminated by one Sunday of celebrating the Resurrection of Christ. Yet we know that the liturgical season of Easter is in fact a 50-day journey. During the Easter season we hear of the excitement of the first Christians, the power of the Holy Spirit as the new Church developed, and the conversion of many to this new faith.

Directing Our Schedules

Attention: open in a new window.

by Margie Copeland

coffee and agenda book How do you feel when you look at your schedule? Do you see multiple activities of your family and faith formation world overlapping? Do you wonder: How can I fit another parents’ gathering into this cascade of children sessions, catechist trainings, paperwork, parish council meetings, lesson planning, sacramental preparation, and more?

Meet a Catechetical Leader: Lauren McCaul

Attention: open in a new window.

Imagine starting a new company, hiring 100 employees but only having three computers. That’s the kind of situation that Lauren McCaul encountered when she became the Elementary Faith Formation Coordinator at Holy Trinity Church in Ladera Ranch, California. But instead of an abundance of employees she had hundreds of students, and instead of lacking computers, she lacked catechists.

Lauren McCaul

Leader: Lauren McCaul
Position: Elementary Faith Formation Coordinator
Diocese: Orange, CA
"People had been waiting for us to ask for help."

“After Mass one Sunday, I asked all the students of the parish to stand up. About a hundred stood up. I asked all the parishioners to take a look around. Then I asked the catechists to stand up. Only three stood up. That really illustrated our point,” McCaul said with a laugh.

Reviewing and Renewing a Faith Formation Program

Meet a Catechetical Leader: Lissa Hutcheson

Easter Is a Season, Not One Day

Directing Our Schedules

Meet a Catechetical Leader: Lauren McCaul

Leaders of the Catholic Community