Catechists are people from the parish who have answered a call to minister to our children, youth, and/or adults, and who have prepared in a number of ways to serve as catechists.  Above all, catechists are people for whom their faith is important enough that they feel a need to share it.  While our parish Christian Formation Program does have a Director, our catechists help fulfill the goals of the ministry as the volunteer staff of the program.  Catechists are the backbone of a parish formation program.  This ministry could not be fulfilled without your service to others in our parish community.

Parents may share the responsibility to pass on the faith to their children with others, but they do not relinquish that responsibility.  While St. Kilian Parish assists parents with passing on the faith through the ministry of catechesis, it is up to each generation of parents to teach, practice, model, and have conversations within their families about the Catholic faith. Studies strongly indicate that, regardless of whether children receive religious instruction in a day-school or parish setting, it is the experience within the family that leads to lifelong practice in the Church's sacramental life and a deepening relationship with Jesus.

We are looking for teachers to share the love of Christ with all grade levels.  See below for exact age groups we need help with.  Elementary children through grade 7 meet Sunday mornings, while grade 8 and High School youth meet Sunday evenings, both in the St. Kilian School building.  Our parish formation programs could not function without catechists and other volunteers.  Prior teaching experience is helpful but not required.  

St. Theresa of Avila said, “Christ has no body on earth but yours; no hands, but yours; no feet but yours.”  While He lived on earth, Jesus sent disciples out in pairs to help in his work of evangelization.  We believe that today Jesus is calling adults and teens of our parish to be catechists, co-catechists, and catechist aides who prepare the minds and hearts of children and youth to hear and respond to the Good News throughout their lives.  St. Kilian has been blessed with many dedicated catechists who share our faith with the children and teens of our parish, but we are in need of more catechists.

The success of the Faith Formation of our children is due to the generosity & dedication of volunteers.  These volunteers, who become Catechists, classroom aides, or program aides, share their faith & love for Jesus while working with the children and youth of our parish as they grow in the Faith.  Do Something GREAT for God and His Church.  Join our dynamic team of catechists!  Help to mentor and form our future Church leaders; share your faith and love for God and His Church.  Anyone with a love for their faith is qualified; we will support you and give you the materials you need to guide our children and youth in the study and understanding of our Catholic faith.

Classes generally meet from September through April.

OUR CURRENT NEEDS

We have the following openings:
Grade 4K
Grade 3
Substitute Catechists

This is an exciting time in the ministry of catechesis.  In June 2020, Pope Francis approved a new Directory for Catechesis.  Then in May 2021, he formally established the Lay Ministry of Catechist.

Please consider volunteering as a catechist to share your faith with our children and youth as you, too, grow in your faith and share that journey with the future of our church!

If interested, please contact:

Patty Fulop, Director of Christian Faith Formation
Phone: 262-673-4831 x7406
Email: [email protected]

Perhaps it is more fitting to start with what a catechist is not.  A catechist is not just an ordinary teacher.  Your subjects and teaching topics are not concerned with literature, math, or history primarily.  Your subject is far more important, the most important.  It is the subject of the Catholic faith and all that this implies.  In recent times, the sense of responsibility and mission that is connected with being a catechist has seemingly vanished. For many it is simply a “side thing,” something you do to “give back” to God. This is true and good, but being a catechist should be and is something so much more profound than this.  Believe it or not, a catechist has now become the primary source of faith education for most of the children and teenagers that come to your groups.  The only time some of these children hear about God and Catholicism happens when that information is coming from your mouths, during your lessons.  The priest also relies heavily on Catechists to transmit the teachings of the Church.  The priest needs you.  The parish needs you.  When you think and pray about these circumstances, you realize that they have big implications.  You are needed by the children and youth, the parents, the parishioners, and the priest!  More than anything, we need good catechists.

The word catechist comes from a Greek word meaning "to echo".  Catechists echo the  Word of God to the children and youth of St. Kilian.  Catechists come from all walks of life and all ages: women, men, confirmed teenagers, parents, grandparents, singles, and religious.  Catechists are not generally expert teachers nor brilliant theologians.  They are ordinary people, just like you, who generously volunteer their time to share our Catholic faith, values, and traditions with our youngest generation of Christians and to walk beside/bear witness to them.  They are positive role models who help children and youth grow in faith, spirituality and their relationship with God.  Their gift of time and talents has tremendous value... because through their words, actions, and expression of love for their groups (students), the message of Jesus Christ continues to spread throughout the world.

The official teachings of the Church are called the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  A catechist is a person of faith who leads others in understanding the faith teachings according to those official teachings.

The role of the catechist is a vital ministry to the Church.  It is a gift that has tremendous value to the world community at large.  Through the catechist’s word and action, the message of Christ continues to have a place in all human affairs.

WHAT DOES A CATECHIST DO?

The primary goal of a catechist is to model God’s love to others.  As a result, the primary requisite of a catechist is a love for God and a love for children and youth.

A catechist develops a lesson plan and uses that plan to teach and share their faith in the class group room.  By creating the lesson plan, the catechist ultimately designs and structures experiences for students that help them grow in their personal faith and spirituality.  The catechist passes on to students a set of shared meanings and values that are Catholic and Christian.  A catechist also initiates others into the faith community, into its life, its worship, symbols and practices.

WHAT IS A CATECHIST?

Perhaps it is more fitting to start with what a catechist is not.  A catechist is not just an ordinary teacher.  Your subjects and teaching topics are not concerned with literature, math, or history primarily.  Your subject is far more important, the most important.  It is the subject of the Catholic faith and all that this implies.  In recent times, the sense of responsibility and mission that is connected with being a catechist has seemingly vanished. For many it is simply a “side thing,” something you do to “give back” to God. This is true and good, but being a catechist should be and is something so much more profound than this.  Believe it or not, a catechist has now become the primary source of faith education for most of the children and teenagers that come to your groups.  The only time many of these children hear about God and Catholicism happens when it is coming from your mouths, during your lessons.  The priest also relies heavily on you to transmit the teachings of the Church since most of his time is spent in administering the Sacraments and taking care of the parish in various ways. The priest needs you.  The parish needs you.  When you think and pray about these circumstances, you realize that they have big implications.  You are needed by the children and youth, the parents, the parishioners, and the priest!  More than anything, we need good catechists.  This, I believe, implies self formation, teaching the truth, and setting hearts aflame.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN A CATECHIST?

We are looking for confirmed Catholics who are willing to learn, a good sense of humor, and a gentle spirit and temperament to teach, guide and listen to our children and youth as they learn and grow in their faith.

YOU'RE AFRAID?

Don’t be!  If Peter, Paul or any of the apostles let fear stop them, just think where the church would be today!  We grow when we are challenged.  As the saying goes - God doesn't call the equipped, he equips the called!

WILL I RECEIVE TRAINING AND SUPPORT?

Catechists have the opportunity to reinvigorate their understanding of the Faith.  We will provide ongoing support to our catechists individually and as a team. 
Additional details coming soon.

ARE THERE TEACHING AND RESOURCE MATERIALS?

St. Kilian provides teaching and resource materials.  Each group has a book that is at the age level of the group.  The catechist is given a manual that includes the material that the children and youth have, along with an outline of how to share with the group in order to teach the material.  The manual basically "walks you through" the entire lesson.  The parish also gives the catechist a variety of activities to supplement the material in the book as well as an evaluation to help determine retention of the material by the group.  Our publishers offer wonderful and user friendly books, online resources, and support to our volunteers throughout the catechetical year; you’ll never be without an online resource to download and print to support your lesson!
Additional details coming soon.

WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT?

We ask catechists to commit to teaching an age group for an entire academic year.  St. Kilian’s Parish Christian Formation Program begins in September and ends before Pentecost (usually in April or May).  Sessions meet once a week, and there are no sessions the last week of the month, generally.  Sessions for the mornign program run from 10:15-11:15am.  Sessions for the evening program run from 6:30-8:00pm.  You can figure that preparation time for the lesson will take about 1-2 hours.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOLUNTEER IN THIS ROLE?

We are so blessed to have such an active and engaged community of parents, grandparents, and friends supporting our Christian Formation programs through volunteering.  We welcome any person of faith who wishes to lead others to grow in faith and understanding the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  This role is a vital ministry to the Church.  It is a gift that has tremendous value to the world community at large.  Through the catechist’s word and action, the message of Christ continues to have a place in all human affairs.   Prior teaching experience is helpful but not required.  

For the safety and protection of our parish children and youth, any adult who wishes to volunteer to work with children or youth at St. Kilian Parish in any capacity must comply with both the State laws and Archdiocese policies that govern volunteers.  One of the Archdiocesan policies is that everyone must be certified through Safeguarding All God's Children and pass a background check.

SET HEARTS AFLAME

You as catechists have a beautiful mission.  You can inspire a whole generation of Catholics if you believe in what you are doing!  Your goal should be to set the hearts of your groups on fire with love for Jesus Christ. Make them want to follow, love and learn more about Him each day of their lives.  Yes, this is your mission.  It is a big one and perhaps not an easy one. But the Lord is with you.  And with Him, all things are possible!  To end this section, I think a beautiful quote from St. Catherine of Siena will suffice: “If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world ablaze."

The Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization issued a worldwide Directory for Catechesis in July 2020.  Prior to this “new” Directory, each individual country wrote its own Directory for Catechesis with a focus on the specific needs of that country.   This “new” Directory is now being used worldwide, written in Rome, expressing what this ministry is today.  Chapter 3 speaks specifically about the ministry of the catechist.  

If you are prayerfully considering serving as a teacher-catechist, please reflect on these qualities, tasks required, and the spirituality of the teacher-catechist.  Realize that God could be calling you to this ministry. (You are reading this page for a reason!)  The Holy Spirit moves a person to respond to God’s call to serve as a teacher-catechist. 

The Qualities of a Teacher-Catechist
The teacher-catechist has patience.
The teacher-catechist is able to listen.
Teacher-Catechists, through their presence in the world, “carry out their ministry in the ordinary surroundings of the world.” (Lumen Gentium, #35)
The teacher-catechist bears witness to the Gospel in different worldly contexts.
The teacher-catechist has the opportunity to give a Catholic interpretation to the realities of everyday life.
The personal call of Jesus and the relationship the teacher-catechist has with Jesus is the “true engine of the catechist’s activity.” (Lumen Gentium, #122)

The Tasks of a Teacher-Catechist
The teacher-catechist provides an introduction to the Catholic faith.
The teacher-catechist introduces others to God.
The teacher-catechist helps others journey to God.
The teacher-catechist shares the content of the Catholic faith.
The teacher-catechist leads others into the mysteries of the Catholic faith.
The teacher-catechists accompanies and educates his/her students.
The teacher-catechist knows the joys and hopes of human beings, knows their sadness and distress but is able to situate others in relation to the Gospel.
The teacher-catechist participates in ongoing formation.

The Teacher-Catechist’s Spirituality
The teacher-catechist belongs to a Christian community and is thus renewed and sustained by the church’s liturgy.
The teacher-catechist witnesses the Catholic faith by the way the teacher-catechist lives out his/her life.
The teacher-catechist models himself/herself after Jesus.

Are you able to place your name where the word teacher-catechist is in each sentence?
After prayer, reflection, and discernment, do you feel God calling you to this exciting ministry?

Catechists are the backbone of our faith formation programs, so, calling forth and retaining catechists is a top priority for St. Kilian.  Calling catechists who are evangelizers and see themselves as such is one key to a successful faith formation process that forms disciples; the goal of a formation program.  We call people to live out a vocation!  Serving as a catechist is more than simple volunteerism.  It is more than performing a function.  It is more than filling a slot.  It is a vocation: a call from God to serve his Church!  St. Kilian is calling catechists for our formation programs. Let us share with you five aspects of the process of recruiting and retaining catechists who evangelize, using the word GIFTS:

           G—Genuine
            I—Inspiring
            F—Formational
            T—Trusting
            S—Supporting

Genuine
Pope Paul VI, in Evangelii Nuntiandi, remarked “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, or if he or she listens to teachers, he does so because they are witnesses.”  We are looking for catechists who are first disciples and exhibit a genuine, authentic spirit about their faith.

Inspiring
The “who” of our faith (Jesus Christ) is the reason behind our faith formation sessions.  An evangelizing catechetical program inspires our children and youth to grow in relationship with Jesus Christ and his body, the Church.  “What we especially need in these times are credible witnesses who make the Gospel visible by their lives as well as by their words, and who reawaken the attraction for Jesus Christ, for the beauty of God,” says Pope Francis.

Formational
Our program seeks to help form catechists into disciples more than just teachers, which is tremendously important.  We strive to treat our team of catechists like a small Christian community to help them grow in faith together so that they can pass along their faith to others. 

Trusting
There is an expression that all relationships move “at the speed of trust.”  Our efforts at forming disciples will only be fruitful if our catechists are able to show their groups that they know the information, but also that they care for and about those in their groups.  The children and youth will only really learn and retain information from catechists if the catechists show them how much they care!

Supporting
We will provide ongoing support to our catechists individually and as a team.  Building relationships that last is a key to catechists who are successful and confident with their groups. When catechists feel supported, it is natural that they will model that support for those in their groups and help them become disciples of Christ.
 

1.  The best way to learn something is to teach.  Maybe your Catholic faith formation and education ended more than a few years ago.  The resources and materials that you will use will refresh and expand your own understanding of the Catholic Faith.  You can be sure you will better understand your own faith, and that your own faith life will come alive! 

2.  You convey to your own family that you value your Catholic faith in addition to your parish family.  Being a catechist shows others that you hold your Catholic faith as a high priority.  You also model good stewardship as you give some of your most precious resources - your time. 

3.  Jesus promised to “be with us always.”  You will be able to experience the presence of Jesus in a deeper and more profound way as you align your free will with His will as you plan and prepare your lessons, teach, engage, and communicate with your group of children and young people. 

4. Catechists change lives and explain God's truths.  In a world where “truthiness” and "alternate understanding" has entered into our vocabulary, catechists provide our children and youth with doctrine and truths of the Catholic Church.  Joining our parish Ministry of Catechist, allows you to connect with others in the parish who will support you, pray for, and with you, and also encourage you in your life as a Catholic.  You will not go thorugh this alone.

5.  It’s what we, as Catholic Christians, are all called to do.  At the end of Jesus' ministry on earth, Jesus said: “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations.”  By our baptism we are called to share in the ministry of Jesus Christ.  So in other words - you are doing what God and Jesus want you to do! 

Saturday, August 26, 2023
9 am - 3 pm
Mary Mother of the Church Pastoral Center, Milwaukee, WI

Cost $30

All parish volunteers who serve as catechists, core team members, and adult formation are leaders invited to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee's Catechetical Conference on August 27th at the Mary Mother of the Church Pastoral Center in Milwaukee.

Centered on our theme of "Stepping into the Mystery" we will gather, pray, and learn together how to invite those we serve into a life-changing encounter and relationship with Jesus Christ.

At the conference, speakers from around the Archdiocese, State and Country will help equip you to head confidently into the new ministry year. 
 

Visit www.archmil.org/Catechetical-Conference for more information, the conference schedule and speakers.

Reason #1: Because the Catholic Church needs you!  Not just our parish of St. Kilian, but the universal Church!  We need dedicated catechists that will pass on the faith and nurture Jesus Christ's love in the hearts of our children and youth.

Reason #2: You grow in your own knowledge of the Catholic Faith, too!  The best way to learn anything is to teach it!

Reason #3: Set a wonderful example for your family by prioritizing catechesis and evangelization in your home.  In fact, your teenager in the Evening Program would make a great catechist's assistant for you, and it would qualify as their Service Experience Project!!

Reason #4: You get to know your parish in a different and unique way!  Catechists have a very unique opportunity to build relationships not only with their fellow catechists on the team but also with  with the families that they serve. 

Reason #5: Save on gas costs on Sunday mornings!  Why drive home and wait while your child is in their session?  When the whole family is in Formation sessions at the same time, “Mom or Dad's Taxi” gets a break!  We also have sessions on Sunda evenings.

Reason #6: You were taught your faith by someone who cared when you were younger, now you can be the someone who cares for children and youth today!  Volunteers do not have to be trained teachers.  Catechists just need to love Jesus and His Church as well as have a desire to share that love with the next generation.