Online Catechesis?

CatholicofAgora · #1 May 16, '12, 8:41 am

I'm about to go into teaching the RCIC program next year and I had what I am hoping is a wonderful idea. I don't mean to be boastful (by any means,) any information outside of my RCIT class I have recieved about Catholicism was from the efforts of sincere Catholics over the internet. In my RCIT class, however, there was very little that I learned that I didn't already know, all thanks to those evangelical efforts by sincere Catholics. In fact, I knew so much about the faith that I was agreeably a big help to my instructor on educating the other Catechumens who were Cradle-Catholics! I find that the best argument for Catholicism is teaching people about it. So my question is this: What do you think about an online Catechesis program, like a video series or something explaining the faith? Perhaps someone seeking Baptism or Confirmation can go up to their local parish claiming to have an "online Catechesis education" and take some sort of exam to see whether or not they have sincerely recieved the information and are ready to become Catholic. I truly think that thousands of converts would flood into the Church!

What do you think?

God bless....

Corki · #2 May 16, '12, 10:11 am

What is RCIT?

CatholicofAgora · #3 May 16, '12, 10:15 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corki

What is RCIT?

Rites of Christian initiation for Teenagers. It's like RCIA for those between 12 and 18.

Cristiano · #4 May 16, '12, 10:26 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by CatholicofAgora

I'm about to go into teaching the RCIC program next year and I had what I am hoping is a wonderful idea. I don't mean to be boastful (by any means,) any information outside of my RCIT class I have recieved about Catholicism was from the efforts of sincere Catholics over the internet. In my RCIT class, however, there was very little that I learned that I didn't already know, all thanks to those evangelical efforts by sincere Catholics. In fact, I knew so much about the faith that I was agreeably a big help to my instructor on educating the other Catechumens who were Cradle-Catholics! I find that the best argument for Catholicism is teaching people about it. So my question is this: What do you think about an online Catechesis program, like a video series or something explaining the faith? Perhaps someone seeking Baptism or Confirmation can go up to their local parish claiming to have an "online Catechesis education" and take some sort of exam to see whether or not they have sincerely recieved the information and are ready to become Catholic. I truly think that thousands of converts would flood into the Church!

What do you think?

God bless....

Honestly if you think of it as a stand alone program, then I would say that it is a very bad idea. Catechetical instruction is not simply the sharing of information about the teachings of the Church etc. Catechetical instruction is about spiritual formation of the candidates, where dissemination of information is necessary but not sufficient. Being a Catholic is not just about knowledge but it is about connecting the brain with the heart and that can only be done by someone sharing his faith through personal communication.
St. Augustine wrote a great letter to a deacon about the preparation of the catechumens. Look for it online (New Advent??) and you will understand what I am talking about.

CatholicofAgora · #5 May 16, '12, 10:49 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cristiano

Honestly if you think of it as a stand alone program, then I would say that it is a very bad idea. Catechetical instruction is not simply the sharing of information about the teachings of the Church etc. Catechetical instruction is about spiritual formation of the candidates, where dissemination of information is necessary but not sufficient. Being a Catholic is not just about knowledge but it is about connecting the brain with the heart and that can only be done by someone sharing his faith through personal communication.
St. Augustine wrote a great letter to a deacon about the preparation of the catechumens. Look for it online (New Advent??) and you will understand what I am talking about.

No, I know exactly what you're talking about, and I agree. I don't think that this method of Catechizing should be a "stand alone program." I think that local parishes should focus on the spiritual connection between an individual and their faih (revivals and retreats are ESPECIALLY beneficial.)

Cristiano · #6 May 16, '12, 11:35 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by CatholicofAgora

No, I know exactly what you're talking about, and I agree. I don't think that this method of Catechizing should be a "stand alone program." I think that local parishes should focus on the spiritual connection between an individual and their faih (revivals and retreats are ESPECIALLY beneficial.)

I think that this web site is a very good starting point:

CatecheticsOnline.com

newyorkcatholic · #7 May 16, '12, 11:45 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by CatholicofAgora

I'm about to go into teaching the RCIC program next year and I had what I am hoping is a wonderful idea. I don't mean to be boastful (by any means,) any information outside of my RCIT class I have recieved about Catholicism was from the efforts of sincere Catholics over the internet. In my RCIT class, however, there was very little that I learned that I didn't already know, all thanks to those evangelical efforts by sincere Catholics. In fact, I knew so much about the faith that I was agreeably a big help to my instructor on educating the other Catechumens who were Cradle-Catholics! I find that the best argument for Catholicism is teaching people about it. So my question is this: What do you think about an online Catechesis program, like a video series or something explaining the faith? Perhaps someone seeking Baptism or Confirmation can go up to their local parish claiming to have an "online Catechesis education" and take some sort of exam to see whether or not they have sincerely recieved the information and are ready to become Catholic. I truly think that thousands of converts would flood into the Church!

What do you think?

God bless....

You don't sound boastful to me, you sound like you want to learn more, which is great.

I'd recommend first, the school of prayer. A good standard thing to do is pray your rosary every day, but it's really up to you.

There are also a lot of good things here besides the forum.

www.fisheaters.com also has a ton of great stuff on their website. I don't know how old you are (don't say it on the forum) but the fisheaters forum is not for everyone and you must be 18, so I would first stick with the resources on their website.

God bless.

dconklin · #8 May 17, '12, 7:19 am

I don't like the idea of having to pass a test to join the Church. However, It is my understanding that Loyola Press is producing an online presence to supplement homeschooling materials they produce for CCD/Faith Formation/Religious Ed. I think it will be a tool to track progress of work.

Joannm · #9 May 20, '12, 7:12 pm

If you are seriously going into the ministry of RCIA it is important that you know a bit more about RCIA. I don't mean these remarks as a criticism but as a means of helping you. I am on our diocesan RCIA committee and have worked on the diocesan level in instructing and guiding parish RCIA teams.

There is no such thing as RCIC or RCIT. It is either RCIA adapted for children or teens. The process is the same, only the way of catechizing and the level of catechesis is different. Also RCIA is a process not a program. A program indicated something that has a beginning and an end. RCIA is a process that should continue for life. In fact it is believed that all catechesis should follow the Catechumenate model.

You talk about educating Catechumens who are cradle Catholics. There is no such thing. A Catechumen is an unbaptized person. A candidate is someone baptized in another Christian community. Some parishes catechize these groups together and sometimes include Catholics who need First Eucharist or Confirmation. It is important to know these distinctions and to respect the differences. Also the rites are different for each group but some parishes wrongly include all in the same rites.

If you are seriously going into RICA I recommend buy the RCIA bool or what we call the Rites Book or the White Book. It is the "bible" for RCIA. It does not cover the topics for catechesis but it is essential for knowing what the RCIA is about.

As others mentioned, spiritual formation is just as important or even more important than catechetical formation. We can't teach them everything but they need to know Jesus and the basics. We don't use the Catechism as a text. The Lectionary and the Creed is our text. I use Catholic Updates and materials from ACM. But for kids that might be too difficult.

When working with children in the RCIA it is imperative to include the parents in the process.

Best of luck. It is a wonderful ministry. See if your diocese has materials or workshops for those on RICA teams.

TheTick · #10 May 22, '12, 6:26 pm

Besides its accredited AA, BA and MA degree programs, Catholic Distance University offers a number of catechetical courses online. It is very important that catechists know the faith so that they can pass it on, and many diocese have requirements in that regard. Some dioceses accept CDU courses for the required certifications of their catechists. And a few dioceses partner with CDU, enabling catechists to receive high-quality training from leading experts at very reasonable rates.

**buffalo** · #11 May 22, '12, 6:32 pm

Catechism Class Online

We are an independent publishing company similar to many publishers except our programs are available online in an interactive format. Each of our lessons is interactive and follows a seven-step format with a final quiz to access your progress and knowledge of the Faith at the end of the lesson. All of these quizzes together form a way for priests, parish religious education directors, parents, etc. to ensure that students are completing the material successfully.
Our lessons follow a 7-step format. Each lesson will guide you through

Introduction, Saint for the Day based on Liturgical Calendar, Description of the Lesson Topic
Opening Prayer (For adults a decade of the Rosary; For children it is another prayer)
Lectionary (Link to Daily Readings and mention of Scripture that concern the lesson topic)
Catechism References (as they relate to the lesson's topic)
Lesson (Personally written section that explains and expands upon the Lectionary and Catechism in light of the Church teaching, beliefs, etc)
Activity
Closing Prayer (For adults the Divine Office; For children it is a decade of the Rosary)
Not really a step, but each lesson ends in a quiz.

CalCatholic · #12 May 22, '12, 7:03 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cristiano

Honestly if you think of it as a stand alone program, then I would say that it is a very bad idea. Catechetical instruction is not simply the sharing of information about the teachings of the Church etc. Catechetical instruction is about spiritual formation of the candidates, where dissemination of information is necessary but not sufficient. Being a Catholic is not just about knowledge but it is about connecting the brain with the heart and that can only be done by someone sharing his faith through personal communication.
St. Augustine wrote a great letter to a deacon about the preparation of the catechumens. Look for it online (New Advent??) and you will understand what I am talking about.

I agree

Alan72 · #13 May 22, '12, 8:59 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by dconklin

I don't like the idea of having to pass a test to join the Church. However, It is my understanding that Loyola Press is producing an online presence to supplement homeschooling materials they produce for CCD/Faith Formation/Religious Ed. I think it will be a tool to track progress of work.

30 years ago on Easter 2013 my family came into the Church. There was no quiz about about
the church's teaching it was about fellowship and sharing. The number of times I went back to help with the program it was always the same.

smcr · #14 May 23, '12, 6:51 am

There are two online catechetical programs that I would recommend. One is mentioned in this exchange: www.catechismclass.com. I use this online catechetical program for students who need to catch up in their instruction in order to be on grade level in our School of Religion. I also use this program for students who have other challenges that keep them from attending regular, live classes. What I like is that, as Director of the School of Religion, I am able to oversee the progress of my online students. I see the content of each class and receive each quiz at the end of each individual session. There are 30 sessions per grade level from Kindergarten through Adult Faith Formation. With a parish code, families receive a modest discount. Each class is $20.00.

Another comparable program is www.familyland.org. At last look, this very substantial catechetical program did not have the oversight ability that is available through catechismclass.com. Nevertheless, it is an excellent educational program for families and/or individuals who want to study the Catholic faith.

Hamlet123 · #15 May 23, '12, 10:46 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by CatholicofAgora

I'm about to go into teaching the RCIC program next year and I had what I am hoping is a wonderful idea. I don't mean to be boastful (by any means,) any information outside of my RCIT class I have recieved about Catholicism was from the efforts of sincere Catholics over the internet. In my RCIT class, however, there was very little that I learned that I didn't already know, all thanks to those evangelical efforts by sincere Catholics. In fact, I knew so much about the faith that I was agreeably a big help to my instructor on educating the other Catechumens who were Cradle-Catholics! I find that the best argument for Catholicism is teaching people about it. So my question is this: What do you think about an online Catechesis program, like a video series or something explaining the faith? Perhaps someone seeking Baptism or Confirmation can go up to their local parish claiming to have an "online Catechesis education" and take some sort of exam to see whether or not they have sincerely recieved the information and are ready to become Catholic. I truly think that thousands of converts would flood into the Church!

What do you think?

THE Catechism if on line. It is a must read

God bless....