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PROGRAMS LEADING TO ARCHDIOCESAN AWARDS

 

Catechist Accreditation Program

Check out the schedule of Accreditation Courses

Catechist Ministry Certificate (CMC)

Check out the schedule of CMC courses

 

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Basic One Accreditation Course


Prerequisite: Nil
Duration: 6 hours

The Basic One Accreditation Program provides essential training for catechists who want to brush up on classroom skills. The Area Faith Education Officers teach the program. It is usually offered as a series of workshops over two days for approximately three hours. The Basic One Accreditation Program is presented as follows:

UNIT 1: The Mission of the Catechist
UNIT 2: Classroom Management Essentials
UNIT 3: Teaching Catholic Scripture
UNIT 4: Child Protection
UNIT 5: Basic Curriculum

 

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Basic Two Accreditation Course


Prerequisite: Basic One Accreditation Course
Duration: 9 hours

The Basic Two Accreditation Program provides further training for catechists who want to take their classroom skills to the next level. The Area Faith Education Officers teach the program. It is usually offered as a series of workshops over two to three days for about three hours. The Basic Two Accreditation Program is presented as follows:

UNIT 1: The Catechism of the Catholic Church
UNIT 2: Christology - Understanding Jesus
UNIT 3: Mary
UNIT 4: The Catholic Church: One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic
UNIT 5: Understanding the Mass
UNIT 6: The Liturgical Cycle
UNIT 7: Practical Teaching

 

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Intermediate Accreditation Course


Prerequisite: Basic One and Basic Two Accreditation Courses
Duration: Up to 15 hours

The Intermediate Catechist Accreditation Program is designed for catechists who have been teaching Special Religious Education for at least one year. It aims to introduce catechists to the story and vision of the Christian faith community.

A mixture of CCD-Sydney staff members and external presenters teach this program.

It is offered as a series of workshops over eight weeks. Each workshop runs for a duration of three hours. There are two units covered each week. Below is an overview of the topics that are covered in each unit.

UNIT 1A: The Scriptures
UNIT 2A: The New Testament
UNIT 3A: The Commandments and the Beatitutes
UNIT 4A: The Christian Moral Life
UNIT 5A: The Virtues and the GIfts of the Holy Spirit
UNIT 6A: The Last Four Things
UNIT 7A: The Sacraments of Initiation
UNIT 8A: The Sacraments of Healing and the Sacraments at Service of Communion

UNIT 1B: Introduction to Child Psychology
UNIT 2B: Child Development Stage One: Ages 5-7
UNIT 3B: Child Development Stage Two: Ages 7-9
UNIT 4B: Moral Development
UNIT 5B: Child Development Stage Three: Ages 9-11
UNIT 6B: Classroom Management V
UNIT 7B: The Scriptures: A Practical
UNIT 8B: Practical Teaching

 

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Advanced Accreditation Course

Prerequisite: Basic One, Basic Two and Intermediate Accreditation Courses
Duration: Up to 18 hours

The Advanced Catechist Accreditation Program is designed for catechists who have been teaching Special Religious Education for at least two years. It emphasises the need for ongoing faith development and an integration of growth in faith with the teaching of Special Religious Education.

A mixture of CCD-Sydney staff members and external presenters teach this program.

It is offered as a series of workshops over four to six weeks. Each workshop runs for a duration of three hours. There are two units covered each week. Below is an overview of the topics that are covered in each unit.

UNIT 1A: The Early Church
UNIT 2A: The Medieval Church
UNIT 3A: The Second Vatican Council
UNIT 4A: The Liturgical Year
UNIT 5A: The Call to Holiness
UNIT 6A: Christian Ethics
UNIT 7A: The Human Person
UNIT 8A: Christian Education

UNIT 1B: The Eastern Church
UNIT 2B: The Reformation
UNIT 3B: The Catholic Church in Australia
UNIT 4B: The Liturgical Year - Practical
UNIT 5B: The Saints
UNIT 6B: Applying Christian Ethics
UNIT 7B: Family Life
UNIT 8B: The SRE Curriculum

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Catechist Ministry Certificate

Prerequisite: Basic One, Basic Two, Intermediate and Advanced Accreditation Courses
Duration: 150 (i.e. 10 units x 15 hours)

Introduction


The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine - Sydney offers the Catechist Ministry Certificate to catechists who would like to take their knowledge of the faith further.

It is intended for Catechists who hold (or intend to hold) service positions within their parish communities (i.e. parish coordinator, leading catechist, assistant catechist coordinator, parish sacramental program coordinator, member of parish sacramental team). The program is also of interest for catechists who are wishing to deepen their own Christian formation.

Program Structure


For completion of the Catechist Ministry Certificate, participants are required to complete ten (10) units. Six units are CORE and must be completed by each participant. Students may then select from a variety of ISSUES units for the remainder of the course (i.e. four units). The Catechist Ministry Certificate is awarded upon completion of all course requirements.

Assessment


Each unit requires the participant to successfully complete assessment tasks. In keeping with principles of adult learning, assessment tasks will be negotiated with a class at the commencement of a unit. Generally, the tasks set are practical in nature and related to a catechist's work. The lecturer will be available to assist participants with the preparation of their assignments.

The Integrative Assignment (MI08) may only be undertaken when all other coursework is completed. If a participant chooses this elective, a CCD staff member will be assigned to assist with the preparation of assessment tasks.

Participants should note that units are offered subject to the availability of suitable staff. Issues units will only be offered subject to viable class sizes being established.

Admission requirements


Catechists can now participate in the Catechist Ministry Courses (CMC) prior to completion of Accreditation Courses. However, in this case, CMC Certificates will be awarded only after Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Accreditation Courses have been completed.

On production of certification for appropriate study completed (i.e. tertiary studies in religious education or theology), an applicant may be granted advanced standing in the Catechist Ministry Certificate program. The Director of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine - Sydney will make a final determination on the advanced standing granted to such applicants. The decision will be final.

 
Area of Study
Unit Code
 Unit
Credit Points
FOUNDATIONS (CORE)
MC01
MC02
MC03
 The Place of Scred Scripture in the Roman Catholic Tradition
Foundations of Religious Education
Theology I: Making Sense of Faith
15
15
15
 
 
SPIRITUALITY (CORE)
MC04
 The Call to Holiness
15
 
   
LEADERSHIP (CORE)
MC05
MC06
Ministry
Church: Universal and Local
15
15
 
 
ISSUES (Electives)
Participants to complete four (4) of the following units according to interest (and subject to the availability of suitable presenters)
MI01
MI02
MI03
MI04
MI05
MI06
MI07
MI08
MI09
MI10
MI11
MI12
MI13
MI14
MI15
MI16
MI17
MI18
MI19
MI20
MI21
MI22
MI23
MI24
MI25
The Old Testament
The Gospel of the Year
Paul
Theology II: Current Issues
Principles of Adult Religious Education
Fundamentalism
Understanding the Sacraments of Initiation
Integrative Assignment
The Gospel According to John
The Fathers of the Church
Christology
Church History
Catholics in History
Teaching and Learning Strategies
Theology of the Body
The Mission of the Catechist
Spiritual & Educational Development of the Child
Catholic Prayer and Spirituality
The Year of the Eucharist
The Catechism
Church Teachings on Mary
Controversies in Church History
Legacy of John Paul II
Catholics and Church in Film, Art and Literature
Moral Theology
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15

Check out the schedule of CMC courses

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