An Illustration of Pre-planning Considerations for 2020-21
As parishes begin to plan Religious Education for 2020-21, there are numerous considerations to be examined. The goal of this planning tool is to pose discussion questions about the novel circumstances we face in the upcoming year and help Catechetical Leaders be prepared to respond.
I. If we are able to resume our in-parish programs in the fall, many of our existing practices and procedures may need to be adjusted. Areas to consider:
What steps can be taken to normalize the registration process?
What changes need to be made to our forms and processes? Are they online?
What considerations need to be taken into account to make registration more accessible? Can the collection of tuition be postponed?
How will we keep families connected to the parish community?
How will we practice social distancing in our classrooms? Do we have enough space?
Will we need to be more creative in scheduling such as offering classes multiple times per week? Do we need to consider more online and family instruction and meet in small faith groups in the parish?
How will we restructure our programs to accommodate multiple learning formats? Will they use the same formational materials?
What alternative structure will need to be created for homeschoolers to be connected to the parish?
What resources will we need to support the parents in their role as primary educators of their children?
How will we address the program’s personnel needs?
What new volunteer positions might need to be created to respond to new state regulations and diocesan directives?
What will recruitment look like? Will there be a need to combine classrooms?
Will there be an increased use of technology in classrooms, parent meetings and information sharing?
Will there be a need to have a digital ministry or IT personnel?
What new resources will need to be allocated to equipment and training?
What digital support do publishers offer?
How will the suspension of this spring’s programs affect multi-year sacramental prep programs?
Should we schedule retreats, etc. with the children and families?
Will programs include more on the theology of spiritual communion and adoration?
Are there formation opportunities we should consider offering to prepare catechists for similar events? (example: training to run online classes, how to make video lessons, how to utilize online textbook resources…)
Will volunteer catechists want to take on the challenge of online catechesis?
Will substitute catechists be needed?
If we are unable to resume our in-parish catechetical programs in the Fall, we need to radically rethink our programs and the way we meet the needs of families in our parish communities. Below are some tools to help you examine, evaluate, and modify your current catechetical plan.
- What will be the role of the parish catechetical leader and catechist? (mentor, coach, facilitator, coordinator, programmer, educator, pastoral minister to parents)
- How do we respond to the spiritual needs of the people in our programs?
- How do we connect the formation experience to the parish community and life?
- How might we form small faith sharing/learning groups
- How does our program foster domestic church?
- Does the online program compliment the Diocesan Curriculum Guidelines and Learning Outcomes?
- What accommodations can be made for families that do not have technological access or sufficient proficiency to participate in the programs? Do they have sufficient support or alternative resources?
- How do we maintain, develop, or create new ways to foster the relational aspect of our program?
- Can we make use of reverse/flipped classrooms?
- Should we consider outsourcing formation to online groups/programs?
- Can we make use of online resource libraries like FORMED?
- Is it best for our parish to use a formation program that predominantly relies on the parent and child to work through the material?
- What changes need to occur in your current practices to make households the focus of catechesis?
- What programs are best suited for home based catechesis?
- What tools could be employed to monitor progress throughout the year? (reflection questions, quizzes, online worksheets, digital activities…)
- What formation can be offered for parents? How often would it be offered and in what format?
- How would sacramental preparedness be determined?
- If our program serves non-English speaking communities, does our publisher offer bilingual material?
- Would family clusters and intergenerational programs be beneficial?
- Is it best for our parishes to use a program that predominantly relies on a catechist teaching the children remotely?
- What additional training will be necessary for catechists?
- What tools could be employed to monitor progress throughout the year? (reflection questions, quizzes, online worksheets, digital activities…)
- How would sacramental preparedness be determined?
- What online classroom platforms will work best for catechists and families (Google Classroom / Go-To-Meeting…)? What platforms are the children familiar with through the local school?
- What teamwork is needed to implement the changes you make in your program?
- How will you seek wisdom and resources from other catechetical leaders in the deanery, diocese, professional organizations, etc?
- What communication strategies will you use to keep the parish and families informed and connected?
- How will you prepare and train your volunteers for these changes?
- What means of evaluation will you use to get feedback to ensure success in your efforts?
- How will we track the progress of each student?
- Would it be helpful to have our religious education information in a centralized database?