Curriculum

“Kerygmatic catechesis, which goes to the very heart of the faith and grasps the essence of the Christian message, is a catechesis which manifests the action of the Holy Spirit, who communicates God’s saving love in Jesus Christ and continues to give himself so that every human being may have fullness of life.” (DC 2) Additionally, “Catechesis as mystagogic initiation introduces the believer into the living experience of the Christian community, the true setting of the life of faith.” (DC 2) All elements of a parish’s faith formation curriculum should focus on supporting a kerygmatic catechesis that includes mystagogical experiences. The following information will help leaders to ensure that catechetical materials are grounded in these characteristics.

If you need assistance in selecting a catechetical series, adapting religion curriculum standards, or planning safe environment lessons for your faith formation program, don’t hesitate to contact us.

All curricula for parish faith formation programs must be aligned with the goals, tasks, sources, and methodology of catechesis as outlined in chapters II and VII of the Directory for Catechesis:

Goals of Catechesis: “At the center of every process of catechesis is the living encounter with Christ. ‘Accordingly, the definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ: only he can lead us to the love of the Father in the Spirit and make us share in the life of the Holy Trinity.’” (DC 75)
Tasks of Catechesis: “The faith, in fact, demands to be known, celebrated, lived, and turned into prayer. In order to form believers for an integral Christian life, catechesis therefore pursues the following tasks: leading to knowledge of the faith; initiating into the celebration of the mystery; forming for life in Christ; teaching to pray; introducing to community life.” (DC 79)
Sources of Catechesis: “The sources which catechesis draws upon are to be considered as being interrelated: one points to the other, while all can be traced back to the word of God, of which they are an expression.” (DC 90) The sources of catechesis include: the Word of God in Sacred Scripture & Sacred Tradition, the Magisterium, the liturgy, the testimony of the saints and martyrs, theology, Christian culture, and beauty.
Methodology in Catechesis: “The mystery of the incarnation inspires catechetical pedagogy. This also has implications for the methodology of catechesis, which must refer to the word of God and at the same time attend to the authentic demands of human experience. It is a matter of living out fidelity to God and humanity in order to avoid any contrast, separation, or indifference between method and content.” (DC 194)

Parish Catechetical Leaders may select the religion curriculum they deem is best suited for their parish community. We offer the following recommendations on curriculum selection:

Main catechetical textbooks must be included in the Conformity Review List | USCCB.
For sacramental preparation materials and supplemental religion curricula, it is highly recommended that those texts be included on the Conformity Review List | USCCB.
Catechetical leaders are advised to make religion curriculum selections in consultation with the pastor and religious education board members.
Comparison with the Office of Catholic Schools Religion Curriculum Standards (more information below) will help to ensure a catechetical series meets religion standards that are in alignment with Renew My Church principles.
For assistance with discerning the religion curriculum best suited to your parish needs, contact the Office of Lifelong Formation Senior Coordinator of Children and Family Ministry.

The Office of Catholic Schools recently released NEW Religion Standards for use in all archdiocesan grammar schools beginning Fall 2021. As background, the Office of Lifelong Formation did consult on the development of these standards for Catholic schools, which align with Renew My Church principles for meaningful formation and spiritual growth, as well as with the current Directory for Catechesis. That said, we recognize the distinct nature of parish faith formation, particularly as Renew My Church inspires us to continually reimagine parish ministries.

Working with Religion Curriculum Priority Standards in Parish Faith Formation Programs
This resource offers recommendations for those catechetical leaders discerning how to best integrate the religion curriculum priority standards, in letter or in spirit, into their parish based formation of children. Please note: while parishes are not required to utilize these standards, we welcome and encourage parish leaders to consider how these religion curriculum standards might best be implemented within the parish context.

Religion Curriculum Standards Review & Reflection Worksheet
This guide will assist catechetical leaders and catechists with unpacking religion curriculum priority standards and envisioning ways in which utilizing the standards can enhance faith formation sessions.

As part of the implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children & Young People, the Archdiocese of Chicago requires its parishes and schools to provide valuable training to children and youth in schools and faith formation programs annually. These approved programs are not sex education courses, rather sexual abuse prevention training that encourages children/youth to disclose abuse, neglect or any troubling information to a safe adult, particularly their parent(s). Click here for a current listing of approved programs. For more information on the Safe Environment Requirements for parishes, visit the Archdiocese of Chicago Safe Environment Office.

These First Grade Faith Formation Catch-Up Program Recommendations (English, Spanish) are intended to help parish leaders prepare and implement supplemental first-grade lessons for those students who were unable to fully participate in first grade classes. Parishes are not required to follow these recommendations which are simply meant to assist parish leaders who do not have a catch-up plan in place or are looking for additional ideas to supplement their current plans.

The First Eucharist Retreat Leader’s Guide is designed to assist parish leaders with planning first Eucharist retreats. The guide includes a variety of retreat resources along with sample retreat formats and tips for virtual, in-person, and at-home retreats. This resource is both optional and adaptable for use in parish formation programs.

Building Up the Common Good: Opportunities to Respect and Protect All Human Life offers instructional resources to help parish leaders and Catholic school principals form their faith communities and equip catechists, teachers and parents to engage in conversations with children, youth and one another about respecting and protecting all human life, through the lens of faith and grounded in compassion.

“The Church’s solicitude for persons with disabilities springs from God’s way of acting. Following the principle of the incarnation of the Son of God, who makes himself present in every human situation, the Church recognizes in persons with disabilities the call to faith and to a life that is good and full of meaning.“ (DC 268)

Special Religious Education Program (SPRED)
Through bonds of friendship and deep personal relationships, SPRED catechesis accompanies persons with special needs in experiencing a sense of the sacred, a sense of the Church, a sense of Christ, and a sense of God within the Christian community of faith.
Catholic Office of the Deaf
An agency of the Archdiocese of Chicago that provides support for the hearing impaired and their families through its programs and services, including religious education. Please click here for a list of signed/interpreted masses in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Lifelong Formation

Children's Formation / Religious Education

Curriculum