Calling Forth Catechists

The Church refers to the vocation of the catechist in the preface of the Directory for Catechesis: “Only catechists who live out their ministry as a vocation can contribute to the efficacy of catechesis.” As a catechetical leader, you are not simply recruiting volunteers; you are calling people to a vocation to serve as a catechist. This is the mindset you should have as you call catechists; announce this as an opportunity for adults to grow in their faith, in their relationship with the Lord, and in holiness.

Start with a Role Description

As you set forth to call people to the vocation of serving as a catechist, it’s a good idea to have a role description in place to describe what you are calling them to. Be careful not to make your role description so demanding and lofty that not even Jesus would qualify! Keep it simple and basic so as not to scare anyone away but specific enough to narrow the field so that you’re not just looking for “a warm body.”

I recommend that your role description consist of three parts. First, include a few basic qualities that show you are looking for a well-rounded person with a healthy faith. Second, list a few basic skills, showing you are looking for people capable of handling or growing into the task. Third, include some specifics about what will be required at your local level: how many sessions, how many catechist meetings, required formation, safe-environment training, etc. Again, don’t overwhelm, but by the same token, show that there are expectations. Here’s a sample role description you can feel free to use or adapt.

Qualities

• a desire to grow in and share the Catholic faith
• an awareness of God’s grace and the desire to respond to that grace
• a commitment to the Church’s liturgical and sacramental life and moral teachings
• a strength of character built on patience, responsibility, confidence, and creativity
• a generosity of spirit, respect for diversity, and a habit of hospitality and inclusion

Knowledge and Skills

• a basic understanding of Catholic teaching, Scripture, and Catholic Tradition
• honest and caring relationships with the age group being served
• effective teaching techniques and strategies

Responsibilities

• Complete initial training or formation.
• Complete Virtus training.
• Commit to teaching 24 sessions.
• Attend quarterly catechist meetings.
• Commit to ongoing formation.

Most of all, catechists need to make a commitment to grow. They don’t have to be flawless in all of these areas; however, they need to recognize where they might be deficient and strive to enrich themselves, with your help as the catechetical leader and tools such as the Catechetical Formation Series. 

Consider Motivating Factors

According to Jayne Ragasa-Mondoy in Cultivating Your Catechists: 

“As you call forth vocations to catechesis, it’s good to know why people volunteer in the first place. Understanding why people volunteer makes it easier to identify and invite people to volunteer. Research shows that people volunteer for the following reasons:

• Achievement—to learn new skills, accomplish something worthwhile, increase self-esteem
• Challenge—to stretch themselves, discover gifts and talents
• Creativity—to express themselves creatively
• Independence—to undertake a task ‘on their own’ (separate from spouse or family)
• Leadership—to develop personal leadership ability
• Recognition—to accomplish something that will reflect positively (to polish their résumé, etc.)
• Self-Expression—to articulate and pass on strongly held beliefs
• Service—to be of service to others, to ‘give back’
• Socialization—to make new friends

“Research also shows that women volunteer more than men, and the age group most willing to volunteer is between 35 and 44.”

The Pool of Potential Catechists

If your efforts to call forth catechists boil down to an “all call” approach (a bulletin announcement inviting anyone to respond to a need), you will not have much success. The most effective way to call people to the vocation of serving as a catechist is through personal invitation.

One catechetical leader told me that, last year, she made 43 individual contacts (either in person or by phone) and ended up with the best crop of catechists she ever had! The personal touch is simply the most appropriate way to call people to a vocation. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the pool of potential catechists in your parish:

• Catechist aides
• Parents of children in religious education
• Retired parishioners
• OCIA neophytes *
• Actively engaged parishioners
• Lay ministry participants
• Parish Pastoral Council education commission members
• Professional teachers (public school and Catholic school)
• Former catechists
• Referrals from staff
• Recommendations from current catechists

* Don’t be too quick to pounce on neophytes; they may need some time.

A Positive Approach

Present your program in a positive light, and describe the role of being a catechist as an opportunity to grow in faith and do heroic work. Avoid sounding desperate, and instead emphasize how crucial this ministry is. Use language that honors the potential catechists and their motivation and gives them something positive to respond to. Most of all, emphasize that, as a catechist, the person will be joining a “catechetical community of faith”—a small faith group in which catechists will find support in their personal and spiritual lives. Here are some effective approaches to consider:

• Witness talks from current catechists (at Mass, after Communion, or on the parish website)
• Profiles of current catechists in the church bulletin or on the parish website or program social media pages
• Seed-planting when parents are registering their children for faith formation (“You would make a good catechist; have you ever thought about it?”)
• Invitation to a “no obligation” dinner (or wine and cheese, or coffee and…) for potential catechists
• Personal appearances at parish organizations to invite people to consider the call to serve as a catechist
• Visibility at Sunday Masses and other parish functions to observe, meet, identify, and approach people to plant seeds or invite them to the ministry
• Phone calls to potential catechists and to former catechists

Of course, it’s good to use printed materials for support and to build awareness, but be sure not to rely on that as your only strategy. Most importantly, don’t forget to pray to the Holy Spirit to guide and enrich your efforts of calling forth vocations to the role of catechist!