Ongoing Formation for Catechetical Leaders

What is required for this component?

Upon completion of the certification process, individuals are required to maintain their standing through participation in continuing education and formation offerings each year.  This includes all those who received their certification in prior years.

Click here to access the Ongoing Development Record Form (updated August 2021).

To fulfill this requirement, each year one must have 20 formation hours* completed and verified.  Below are some approved methods to complete these hours:

  • Complete one (1) undergrad or graduate course in theology or related field
  • Attend two (2) day-long diocesan training workshops or take a variety of webinars
  • Attend one (1) national/regional Catholic Conference
  • Read one or more books from the list below.
  • Other form of development pre-approved by the Office of Lifelong Faith Formation (OLFF).

Find curated ideas here. If you have any questions whatsoever regarding whether your choice of ongoing formation will be approved, contact any of the staff from the OLFF.

Each individual is responsible for sending documentation of the above to the Office of Lifelong Faith Formation (Georgette.dionne@portlanddiocese.org) by the end of each fiscal year (June 30).  This only needs to be done after all 20 hrs. have been completed.

Please note:  if a workshop/training/course has any documentation for CEU's, we will honor those hours as listed (proof of CEU's must be presented to us). 

*Please note: up to five hours of documented ongoing formation can be "rolled over" to the following year.

Formation through Reading

The book option offers certified parish catechetical leaders the opportunity to complete up to ten (10) of the ongoing formation hours each year through the following process:

  • Pick a book from the pre-approved list
  • Read the book
  • Prepare a list of three (3) pieces of information that you learned and how they can be used in your parish ministry.
  • Email to georgette.dionne@portlanddiocese.org
  • Call Georgette if you have any questions regarding this option or process
Book List click for Spring 2020 additions

31 Days to Becoming a Better Religious Educator 

Common Sense Catechesis

Engaging a New Generation  

For Ages Unending (Liturgy and Adolescents)

Forming Intentional Disciples

Handbook for Adaptive Catechesis*  

Handbook for Classroom Management*  

Handbook of Sacraments for Today's Catechist*

The Joy of Adolescent Catechesis*

Redeeming Administration

Spirituality of the Catechist  

Under the Influence:Transforming Experience of Encountering Christ 

The Way of Catechesis

Jared Dees (Ave Maria Press)

Fr. Robert Hader (Our Sunday Visitor)

Frank Mercadante (Our Sunday Visitor)

NFCYM

Sherry Weddell (Our Sunday Visitor)

Ligouri Publications

Ligouri Publications

Ligouri Publications

Partnership for Adolescent Catechesis

Ann Garrido (Ave Maria Press)

Janet Schaeffler (Twenty-Third Publicaions)

Joe Paprocki   (Loyola Press)

Gerard F. Baumbach (Ave Maria Press)

 *These books provide only 5 hours of ongoing formation