The following certification process and guidelines are based upon Common Formation Goals for Ministry, a joint publication of the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership (NCCL), the National Association for Lay Ministry (NALM) and the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM). These goals are provided as a direction to Diocesan offices in developing certification programs for professional Church lay ministers.
DIOCESE OF CHARLESTON
ADVANCED CERTIFICATE
FOR PARISH
CATECHETICAL LEADERSHIP
LEVELS and QUALIFICATIONS
The Diocese has chosen to accept the definitions of the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership in recognizing three levels of Parish Catechetical Leadership. The fourth level, immediately following is considered an entry level position only. A person being hired at this level is expected to pursue further certification as noted.

Qualifications:

  • Director of Catechesis (Religious Education) Level I

    • Anyone working as a Parish Catechetical Leader in the Diocese of Charleston who has not achieved the following credentials will be considered a Level I Catechetical Leader.

    Any Level I Catechetical Leader:

    (1) will complete Advanced Certification as a catechist according to the current catechist formation process or its equivalent.

    (2) is expected to enroll in the Institute for Parish Leadership Development and to seek an "Advanced Certificate" within three years.
     

  • Director of Catechesis (Religious Education) Level II

    • To be considered a Level II Catechetical Leader, one must have completed the "Advanced Certificate Program" through the Diocesan Institute for Parish Leadership Development and the Office for Evangelization & Catechesis.
     
  • Director of Catechesis (Religious Education) Level III

    • (1) To be considered a Level III Catechetical Leader, one must have an undergraduate degree (B.A.) in religious education.

    -or-

    (2) Persons having an undergraduate degree in religious studies will be considered a Level III Catechetical Leader with the completion of 12 credits in religious education.

    -or-

    (3) Persons having an undergraduate degree in a field other than religious education and by having completed the "Advanced Certificate Program" through the Diocesan Institute for Parish Leadership Development and the Office for Evangelization & Catechesis.

    -or-

    (4) One may be considered a Level III Catechetical Leader by completing the "Advanced Certificate Program" through the Diocesan Institute for Parish Leadership Development and the Office for Evangelization & Catechesis.and successfully leading a parish catechetical program for five (5) years.
     

  • Director of Catechesis (Religious Education) Level IV

    • To be considered a Director, one must have a graduate degree (M.A.) in religious education, education, religious studies, theology or its equivalent. It would be expected that persons with degrees in education would have 18 credits of theology/religious studies and those with degrees in theology/religious studies would have 12 credits in religious education/education. Persons with a graduate degree in a field other than religious education, education or theology/religious studies would be expected to have a graduate certificate in religious education.

    The Advanced Certificate for Parish Catechetical Leadership

    An Advanced Certificate will be awarded for completion of the following:
    (1) Tract I of the Institute for Parish Leadership Development
    (2) Tract II of the Institute for Parish Leadership Development

    -or-

    (3) Summer Pastoral Ministry Leadership Institute (This week would be taken instead of Tracts I & II of the Institute.) Offered every other year.

    The above can be completed in any order.

    (4) Final Retreat of the Candidate's choosing

    It is recommended that Advanced Certificate candidates seek out Spiritual Direction during their formation time.

    Renewal of Certification
    Certification levels II, III and IV must be renewed every three years. Renewal will be granted by the Director of the Office for Evangelization, Catechesis & Christian Initiation based on:

    (1) Letter(s) of reference from the parish(es) in which the person has ministered for the past three years.

    (2) Continuing education in the field of catechetics/religious education (minimum of ten hours per year).

    (3) Networking with those in the catechetical ministry in the Diocese of Charleston, including the Diocesan, Deanery and Parish levels.

    (4) Participate in an annual retreat experience of the leader's choosing.

    A notification and renewal form will be sent to each Director about three months prior to renewal.
    DIOCESE OF CHARLESTON

    ADVANCED CERTIFICATE

    FOR

    PARISH CATECHETICAL LEADERSHIP

    COURSE LISTING

    INSTITUTE FOR PARISH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
    TRACT I

  • Call to Leadership (1 Class)
  • Hebrew Scriptures (4 Classes)
  • Christian Scriptures (4 Classes)
  • Christology (4 Classes)
  • Sacraments (4 Classes)
  • Christian Formation (3 Classes)


    • INSTITUTE FOR PARISH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

    TRACT II

  • Ecclesiology (4 classes)
  • Vatican II (4 classes)
  • Ecumenism (2 classes)
  • Social Teaching of the Church
  • Morality and Moral Decisions (4 classes)
  • Liturgy (4 classes) 


    • SUMMER PASTORAL MINISTRY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
    (This week-long experience takes the place of Tracts I & II of the Institute)

  • Vatican II
  • Liturgy & the Liturgical Year
  • Sacraments
  • Parish Leadership Skills
  • Moral Issues: Personal Morality, Moral Decision Making, Social Concerns
  • Ecumenism
  • Social Teaching of the Church
  • Ecclesiology
  • Hebrew Scriptures
  • Christian Scriptures
  • Christology
  • Christian Formation