Bishop's Letter on Certification

The General Directory for Catechesis (219) recognizes the prominent place of the catechesis of the faithful, and the importance of supporting the catechist in both their own ongoing formation and the acquisition of skills needed to exercise that ministry effectively. The courses listed below serve the needs of parish catechists, Catholic school faculty, and adults as they work toward both basic and advanced levels of catechist certification. As such, they are consistent with the instructional requirements approved by the Texas Catholic Conference.

To complete any of the certification tracks, you must complete all the classes listed in addition to any prerequisite classes, including the Basic Teachings of the Catholic Faith, the Catholic Adult Faith Formation classes, and required retreats. Please see below for a complete list of course offerings.
 

Certification Requirements

• Catholic Adult Formation Form
• Catechist Level 1, 2, and 3 Application Form
• DRE Certification Application Form
• Catholic School Teacher Certification Application Form
• Diocese of Austin Discipleship Certification Application
• Diócesis de Austin Aplicación Para Certificación de Discipulado
• Youth Ministry Certification Application Form
• Continued Formation Application Form

Completed certification forms should be completed and emailed to the Evangelization and Catechesis Office, attention Carolyn Martinez, [email protected].

The Basic Teachings of the Catholic Faith Program offers a general introduction to the theological principles found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This program is the first step in basic adult formation for all ministry groups seeking evangelization and catechetical certification. The class is presented in five sessions (6 clock hours of instruction each). Topics include Introduction to Scripture, Creed, Liturgy and Sacraments, Christian Morality and Prayer/Spirituality (30-hour course). Click here for parish-sponsored classes.

DEVELOPMENT TRACKS:  Level I Catechist/DRE, Part 1 Catholic Schools, Criminal Justice, Discipleship, Adult Formation, Criminal Justice, Youth Ministry       

Click here to register

*Please note that the fee of $50 covers registration for all 5 classes.

Click on the class date for registration. Registration for spring classes will open on December 1!  Refunds will not be issued for unattended classes, however, substitutions are welcome.  Check back often for new class offerings.  Dates are subject to change.  Classes will be held virtually on Tuesday evenings via teams unless otherwise noted.

 

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Catholic Social Teaching

April 4, 11, 18, 25, 2023  | Virtual class, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. weekly

This overview of the history and theological development of Catholic Social Teaching uses Biblical texts and modern Church documents to focus on key themes and how the teachings can be applied to contemporary social situations. (16 hours | Virtual class)

DEVELOPMENT TRACKS:  Part 2 Catholic Schools, Criminal Justice

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Christian Morality

March 7, 14, 21, 28, 2023  | Virtual class, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. weekly
Summer Classes | June 19-22, 2023 | In-person class at the Pastoral Center

To live a Christian moral life is to respond to the gift of God’s love. This course will explore the nature of that response by examining key themes and dimensions of Christian morality, both from a personal and a social/communal perspective. (16 hours | Virtual class)

DEVELOPMENT TRACKS:  Level III Catechist/DRE, Part 2 Catholic Schools, Criminal Justice

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Christology | New Testament

October 3, 10, 17, 24, 2023 | Virtual class | 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. weekly

This course focuses on the people of the early church, from their call to discipleship to the formation of an active church. The faith journey of Jesus’ disciples will serve as a model for an examination of our own faith journey. (16 hours)

DEVELOPMENT TRACKS:  Level II Catechist/DRE

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Church History

June 12-15, 2023 | 9:30 am - 1:30 p.m. | In-Person Class at the Pastoral Center

This course organizes the church’s 2000-year story in identifiable periods, describes the Christian faith as “handed on” through the centuries, and discovers how the people of God have endeavored to live out the Gospel. (16 hours)

DEVELOPMENT TRACKS:  Level III Catechist/DRE, Part 2 Catholic Schools, Criminal Justice

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Ecclesiology 

June 5-8, 2023 | 9:30 am - 1:30 p.m. | In-Person Class at the Pastoral Center

This course examines key documents presenting the major themes about how the Church is understood, both theologically and in human experience. (16 hours)

DEVELOPMENT TRACKS:  Level III Catechist/DRE, Part 2 Catholic Schools, Criminal Justice
 

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Sacred Scripture | Old Testament

September 5, 12, 23, 26, 2023 | Virtual class | 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. weekly

This course focuses on the people of Israel, from their creation as the chosen people of God to the time of the Roman occupation of their land. The faith journey of the Israelites will serve as a model for an examination of our own faith journey. (16 hours)

DEVELOPMENT TRACKS:  Level II Catechist/DRE

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Sacramental Theology

November 7, 11, 14, 28, 2023 | Virtual class | 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. weekly

This course will explore the history, theology, and pastoral practice of the Sacramental System of the Catholic Church and the liturgical celebrations in which it is expressed. (16 hours)     

DEVELOPMENT TRACKS:  Level II Catechist/DRE

Click on the class date for registration.  Registration for summer classes open on April 1.  Refunds will not be issued for unattended classes, however, substitutions are welcome. Check back often for new class offerings; dates are subject to change. All summer classes will be held in person at the Pastoral Center unless otherwise noted.  Click here for a registraiton page. 

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Building Intercultural Competence in Ministry

JULY 17-18, 2023| 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (In-person class at the Pastoral Center)
*This course frames discussions of culture in terms of the church’s identity and mission to evangelize. Explore an understanding of “culture” and how it works, learn intercultural communication skills and recognize the obstacles that impede effective intercultural relations. (10 hours)  * Students must attend both days to receive attendance credit.

DEVELOPMENT TRACKS: All tracks

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Christian Leadership

JULY 27, 2023| 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (In-person class at the Pastoral Center)
This course looks at the differences between charisms, talents, and skills and then introduces learners to practical skills for ministry leadership such as planning, community building, conflict management, managing effective meetings, and group facilitation. (4 hours)

DEVELOPMENT TRACKS: DRE, Criminal Justice

Catechizing for a Just World

Our Catholic call to justice is rooted in the heritage of Scripture, the life of Jesus himself, and the rich tradition of the Church’s social teachings. This course will focus on key social justice themes and how to incorporate the church’s social teachings into one’s life and work. Recommended for catechists and for all adults involved or seeking to grow in the works of charity, justice, and peacemaking. (6 hours)  

DEVELOPMENT TRACKS: Level III Catechists/DRE, Youth Ministry

Click on the class date for registration; refunds will not be issued for unattended classes, however, substitutions are welcome.  Check back often for new class offerings. Dates are subject to change.

 

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All God’s People: Effective Catechesis in a Diverse Church

This class considers the wide variety of people to be catechized and offers strategies for catechetical leaders to engage all of them in life-giving formation. (4 hours) 

DEVELOPMENT TRACKS: DRE, Discipleship

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Called By Name: Preparing Yourself for the Vocation of Catechetical Leader

This class focuses on what catechetical leaders need to be, as opposed to what they need to know or do if they are to lead effectively. (4 hours)

DEVELOPMENT TRACKS: DRE, Discipleship

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Catechetical Leadership: What It Should Look Like, How It Should Work, and Whom It Should Serve

This course closely examines the specific leadership skills and competencies that are necessary for a catechetical leader to be effective in a parish setting. (4 hours)

DEVELOPMENT TRACKS: DRE, Discipleship

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Cultivating Your Catechists: How to Recruit, Encourage and Retain Successful Catechists

This class teaches catechetical leaders how to recruit, train, support, inspire, supervise, evaluate, and retain catechists in their parishes. (4 hours)

DEVELOPMENT TRACKS: DRE, Discipleship, Criminal Justice

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Developing Disciples of Christ: Understanding the Critical Relationship between Catechesis and Evangelization

This course centers on the inseparability of evangelization and catechesis, and gives catechetical leaders a proper understanding of their interconnectedness. (4 hours)

DEVELOPMENT TRACKS: DRE, Discipleship

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Excellence in Ministry: Best Practices for Successful Catechetical Leadership

This course shares time-tested skills and strategies for successful catechetical leadership, while also identifying and proposing new approaches to leadership. (4 hours)

DEVELOPMENT TRACKS: DRE, Discipleship

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Youth Ministry Essentials

The Youth Ministry Essentials courses focus on the vision of youth ministry, including programming, prayer and worship, and social mission. 

In addition to meeting the certification needs of catechists, the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis supports the ongoing spiritual formation of Catholic adults throughout the diocese by opening its course offerings to all who wish to deepen their understanding of the Church’s teachings and in so doing, become better equipped for Christian discipleship and evangelization in a variety of settings. This intentional change in scope is a service to parishes and individuals who currently might not have these resources available to them. While some of the courses listed below are primarily for catechists, many of them are general enough to offer content useful to any Catholic adult.
 

Serving Remote Locations, Multiple Languages

The Office of Evangelization and Catechesis will continue to offer a limited number of courses in remote locations throughout the Diocese, via the online technology of Microsoft Teams, which offers the benefits of live instruction and communal learning in multiple locations (pending). These sites accommodate an optimal number of 10-15 students.

Registration for Summer Classes will open on April 1.

• Class descriptions can be found in the above tabs -- under Basic Teachings, Faith Formation, and Continuous Formation for Certification.
• All summer classes will be held in person at the Pastoral Center unless otherwise noted.

REGISTER HERE FOR SUMMER CLASSES