Now that so many of us are shifting towards new models for religious education outside of a classroom, I will be phrasing our vision a little differently:Įvery Child, Every Day: an Encounter with Christ “Class” has a new meaning with the rise of online learning. In the last few years, I have been sharing a vision for catechesis at The Religion Teacher as:Įvery Day, Every Class, Every Student, an Encounter with Christ “On the lips of the catechist the first proclamation must ring out over and over: ‘Jesus Christ loves you he gave his life to save you and now he is living at your side every day to enlighten, strengthen, and free you.'” Pope Francis “Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.” Pope Benedict XVI “The definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ.” John Paul II These three quotes from our most recent popes should inspire us to do catechesis differently than other forms of education: It is not like science, history, literature, or any other subject students will be studying this year. Our priorities in religious education will be different from every other form of online education.Ĭatechesis is not like math. The purpose of catechesis is to cultivate an encounter with Christ NOT merely an education about doctrines.Īcademic growth is not the same as catechetical growth or spiritual growth. Let’s make something very, very clear about catechesis: I can already hear the fears that kids will fall short in learning Church teachings with virtual catechesis. I can already imagine the complaints from naysayers about another generation of poorly catechized kids due to the impact of the coronavirus on religious education. No matter what model you design for your parish, keep in mind our primary priority: Priority #1: Encounter Over Education I also won’t say which curriculum will work best in an at-home model (though I hope you will send families resources from The Religion Teacher to use at home). I won’t presume to know which model is best for every situation or every part of the world. Parishes and schools are focusing on so many different models. In-person classes with social distancing and masksĭigital learning in catechesis is a new experience for teachers, students, and parents.In response to the pandemic, many schools and parishes have chosen between: It certainly won’t be religious education as normal.

So, you are teaching virtually this year.

Catholic catechism online