Catechist Information

Pass on the Good News!
What Good News?

The good news of Jesus and our Catholic Faith

“Catechists are people who keep the memory of God alive; they keep it alive in themselves and they revive it in other’s.” — Pope Francis

At St. Bart’s, it is not just about religious education. It is about a life-long process of being formed to live our faith and ongoing conversion. We do that by “Echoing the Word of God” in our lives.

  Hear the Call

• Join a group of caring and talented individuals in one of the finest Faith Formation Programs in our Archdiocese.

• Let your child see your faith in action. Show them that we are called to LIVE our faith, not just listen to it!

• You don’t have to have a child in Faith Formation to be a catechist. Many catechists just enjoy working with kids and helping them grow spiritually.

We Support You

• We structure classes to have a lead Catechist and an Assistant Catechist. This partnership eases classroom management and sets up a learning environment for the assistant.

• We provide training for Catechists to make sure they are comfortable in their role. We are here to assist you in whatever you need to succeed.

• We use Be My Disciples curriculum. Each lesson has Catechist instructions, suggested activities and alternate activities as well as review materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need Teaching Experience?

  No, most Catechists are not professional teachers. With our support, a desire to share your faith with the children is enough!

• What if I Don’t Know all the Answers?

  No one know all the answers, that’s part of learning about faith. You will be well prepared with the training and materials provided and your own natural sincerity about your faith. Jesus said, “I am always with you,” – Matthew 28:20

• How Much Do I Need to Prepare?

  You will want to read the lesson materials provided and decide on the activities you want to use. Most Catechists report that only a moderate amount of time and effort are required to prepare.

If you feel called to this Ministry...
Please contact Rachael Smit at 650-347-0701 x215 rachael@barts.org or Fr. Mike x213

Sometimes God Has a Kid’s Face
I didn’t know…
          How many times I would pray, “God be with me”
I didn’t know…
          I’d laugh so much
I didn’t know…
            I’d learn so much
I didn’t know…
          That in serving our kids,
          I would give more than I had, and
          Receive so much more than I gave
I didn’t know.
 
Partial quote from Sr. Mary Rose McGeady, Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul
 
This poem inspired long-time catechist Mary Dallara.