Initial Catechist Classes

Introduction to Sacred Scripture
This course will present a basic introduction to Sacred Scripture. The content will give an overview of the Church’s teaching on how God reveals Himself through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. By examining the structure, and relationship of the Old and New Testaments, catechists will come to understand how Jesus is “hidden in the Old” and “unveiled in the New.” (St. Augustine).

Introduction to the Profession of Faith: Creed
This course will lead catechists to an understanding of the Creed as the core theological source of catechesis. It will examine the development and the Church's understanding of the nature of God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) as well as other important concepts of the Catholic Faith.

Introduction to Liturgy and Sacraments
This course introduces catechists to the concept and nature of liturgy in general. It will further examine the concept of "sacrament" in general and then each of the seven sacraments of the Church: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Matrimony, Holy Orders, Reconciliation, and Anointing of the Sick. The course will explore the fundamentals of each sacrament's doctrine, theology and effects.

Introduction to Catholic Morality: Life in Christ
"Coming to see in the faith their new dignity, Christians are called to lead henceforth a life "worthy of the gospel of Christ" (Phil 1:27)" (CCC 1692). This course considers fundamental moral principles from the perspective of the Gospel and Christian tradition. Catechists will be introduced to questions about the purpose of life, human acts, moral determinants, freedom, sin, moral responsibility, conscience, conversion, and divine love.

Renewal Catechist Classes

Introduction to the Old Testament
In this course, catechists are introduced to the canon of the Old Testament and the wholeness of the biblical texts. Catechists will learn to apply the wisdom of the Old Testament to their spiritual lives and ministry.

Introduction to the New Testament
In this course, catechists are introduced to the canon of the New Testament and the principle books: the study of the Gospels, the Epistles of St. Paul, the Catholic letters and the writings of St. John.

Introduction to Christian Prayer
This course explores prayer as essential to our lives as Christian people, as individuals and within our community of faith. Throughout this course, catechists will explore the qualities, forms and expressions of prayer that help to form and sustain our lives and the lives of our youth as disciples of Christ.

Introduction to Catholic Social Teaching
"Catholic social teaching is a central and essential element of our faith….[It] emerges from the truth of what God has revealed to us about himself. We believe in the triune God whose very nature is communal and social…We who are made in God's image share this communal, social nature. We are called to reach out and to build relationships of love and justice." (USCCB)
This course will introduce the catechist to the Church's rich tradition of writings dedicated to the seven themes of Catholic Social Teaching.

Introduction to Church History I
This course examines the history of the Catholic Church from the birth of the Church up to the fifteenth century. Topics to be examined will include development of the early Church, the Age of the Fathers, the Middle Ages, and the Crusades.

Essential Elements of Christology
This course considers the person of Jesus Christ and His mission. This course wholly treats the mystery of Christ from the coming of Christ in the fullness of time up to the formulation of the dogmas that treat the ontology of Jesus based on Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the authentic Magisterium of the Church. This course will enable catechists to learn, understand and explain the truth of Jesus Christ and His divinity and humanity.