School
“It is from its Catholic identity that the school derives its original characteristics and its ‘structure’ as a genuine instrument of the Church, a place of real and specific pastoral ministry. The Catholic school participates in the evangelizing mission of the Church and is the privileged environment in which Christian education is carried out.” (DC 311)
Roadmap to Catechist Certification
This roadmap offers a comprehensive view of the catechist certification process. It can be download or printed for your reference.
- The Certification Team will send all school principals the registration form with your teacher’s level of formation and requirements for this year. Please update and return the form to [email protected].
- If the school is paying for the certification, you will receive a quote that needs to be signed and returned to the Certification Team. The quote will be included in the monthly archdiocesan bill.
- Once proof of payment is received, teachers will have access to courses.
Policy for Level I
All new employees, part-time and full-time, Catholic and non-Catholic, under a teaching contract, are required to complete Level I certification within their first two years of employment with the Archdiocese of Chicago by August 1, 2022. Upon completion after year 2, teachers will receive a non-renewable salary increase in the following contract year.
Policy for Level II
Teachers participating in Level II certification to keep their certification current are required to complete Level II, Year 1 or 2, coursework by August 1, 2022 in order to receive the non-renewable salary increase in in the following contract year.
Policy for Level III
The Archdiocese of Chicago requires certified catechist teachers to participate in Level III ongoing formation to keep certification status current. Level III ongoing formation entails the completion of only one online elective package and eight elective sessions per year. All Level III requirements must be completed by August 1, 2022 in order to receive the renewable yearly salary increase in the following contract year.
Policy for Non–Catholic Teachers
Non-Catholic employees, part-time and full-time, under a teaching contract, are required to complete Level I certification within their first year of employment with the Archdiocese of Chicago by August 1, 2022. Non-Catholic teachers might continue to Level II and Level III certification. Upon completion of each level, according to the guidelines established by the Archdiocese of Chicago, non-Catholic teachers receive the corresponding yearly payment. However, non-Catholic teachers are unable to be certified catechists within the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Note to School Leaders regarding contracts and salary increase
If teachers have not completed their certification requirements by the time for contract renewal, please do not assign the corresponding certification salary increase. If teachers show proof that they've completed their requirements by the set deadline (August 1, 2022) an addendum may be added to their contract to reflect the appropriate salary increase for the upcoming academic year. When proof is shown, it can be added to the current contract and then the change should be initialed and dated by both the principal and the teacher.
| Level | Requirements | One-time Salary increase | Conditions for the salary Increase |
| Level I (Year 1) | Spiritual Formation I Ministerial formation I | No increase | Upon completion of required course work, teachers will receive a non-renewable salary increase in the following contract year. If teacher does not complete the required coursework, he/she will remain in the level and no salary increase will be added until the completion of the requirements. All online courses have expiration dates. Teachers won’t have access to courses after expiration date. For extended expiration date, extra fee may apply. |
| Level I (Year 2) | Theological Formation I Certification Retreat in year 1 or year 2 | $150 One time | |
| Level II (Year 1) | Spiritual Formation II Theological Formation II Certification Retreat in year 1 or year 2 | $350 One time | |
| Level II (Year 2) | Ministerial formation II 8 elective sessions Certification Retreat in year 2, if not completed in year 1 | $500 One time | |
| Level III (Years 1, 2 & 3) | 1 Online Certification package 8 elective sessions Certification Retreat in year 1, 2 or 3 | $500 | Upon completion of required course work, teachers will receive a renewable salary increase in the following contract year. If teacher does not complete the required coursework, he/she will remain in the level and no salary increase will added until the completion of the requirements. All online courses have expiration dates. Teachers won’t have access to courses after expiration date. For extended expiration date, extra fee may apply. |
I haven’t taken any previous Archdiocesan catechist formation, how do I get started?
The first step is to discuss this with your Catholic School principal as he or she may have specific instructions for you. Once you have that conversation, you can get started here: www.formedcatholiconline.com. You will begin in Level I, year 1.
Is there a difference between School Certification and Parish Certification?
Parish Certification and School Certification will yield the same type of archdiocesan catechist certificate. The main difference is that parish catechists need to complete the Level I Methodology sessions onsite, while Catholic school participants complete a ministerial course online.
- We’re ready to get started with online formation. How do I create accounts for my school teachers?
- Principals, please include new faculty in the yearly registration form. The Certification Team will use this information to create accounts for your school teachers. Once the Office of Lifelong Formation receives your form, please allow up to 2 business days for processing the information. Emails with login information will be sent to registered teachers from [email protected]
- We would like the school to get billed for the courses, how do we go about doing this?
- When filling the Formation Registration Form please indicate in the cell with the question “Our school is requesting (select option)” the option invoice and add/remove users and email it to [email protected].
- Your school will receive the quote with the total cost. Please sign the document, scan it and send it in an email to [email protected].
- The quote amount will be included in the school’s archdiocesan monthly bill. Submit payment by check and include the quote number. Please clearly indicate the amount that is being paid for Catechist Certification in the memo line on the check to ensure that payment is appropriately distributed.
- Participants will receive access to courses upon receipt of payment by the Archdiocese of Chicago.
- Please note, the administrator of the certification process is responsible for placing teachers in their appropriate certification level. It is required that the administrator confirm with each teacher their appropriate certification level assignment. The form can be used to add new teachers and remove teachers who are no longer employed at your school. The information provided in the form will be used to create the quote with the total cost added to the archdiocesan monthly bill.
- As a Catholic School participant, can I complete two elective packages each year for Level III?
- You may only complete one elective package per year. If the ministry elective sessions have to be completed outside of the listing of courses, you can find them at www.formedcatholiconline.com.
- How do I document that my school participants attended the retreat on the formation website?
- Please send retreat attendance by email to [email protected] or regular mail at Cardinal Meyer Center 3525 South Lake Park Avenue, Chicago, IL 60653.
- Once the Certification Team receives the attendance sheet from the parish or school, approval will be given by the Office of Lifelong Formation to attendees.
- How can the certification retreat be scheduled? Where is it hosted? Who facilitates it? What is the cost?
- Certification retreats can be scheduled using the certification retreat form. When filling out the form, please indicate the location and address. The form provides the option of suggesting a retreat facilitator or requesting one. The Office of Lifelong Formation will be happy to provide resources to facilitate the retreat. Please visit the resources section.
- If the school suggests their own retreat facilitator, the cost per participant is $10.00. The school is responsible for covering the facilitator’s stipend.
- The office will send the quote with the admin fee.