Catechist Helps and Resources

Prayer/Reflection for Catechists

• The Lord be with You: Prayers for catechists from Bill Huebsch and the Pastoral Center
• Catechist's Prayer: in English and Spanish from the USCCB Catechetical Sunday webpages. 
• Beatitudes for Catechists: a prayer of blessings for catechists.
• How can a Catechist Find Sanctuary? A video by Terry Hershey, author of "Sanctuary: Creating a Space for Grace in Your Life."

Blogs and Discussion Groups

• 21st Century Catholic Evangelization: blogs are written by the members of the NCCL Evangelization Committee and invited guest authors exploring approaches, practices, resources, and programs.
• Be My Disciples: join as we talk and teach about true discipleship, as we find ways to help teachers, parents, catechists and students articulate the gospel message so that others will better understand it. A ministry of RCL Benziger.
• Relevant Catechesis: a blog designed to share insights and ideas for carrying out the work of catechesis in a Catholic Parish.
• Catechists Journey: Joe Paprocki of Loyola Press gives idea and tips, solace and encouragement to catechists. You may subscribe to email delivery.
• Catholic Mom: Although the goal of this site is to celebrate Catholic motherhood and to learn and share about topics related to faith and family, you may find a lot of ideas here. 
• Faith Formation Learning Exchange: news articles, blogs and great resources for faith formation for all ages and generations.
• Sadlier's We Believe and Share: inspiration and resources for Catholics.
• Transforming Catechesis: helping catechists, the parish, and school catechetical leaders become more effective in their roles.

Tools for Catechists

• 10 Ways That Technology Can Improve Your Religious Education: a webinar by Victor Valenzuela, Sadlier National Consultant.
• 20 Uses for Smartphones in School: written for school, but has applications for the religious education environment.
• Finding Copyright-Free Images for Catechetical Use: understanding copyright issues for catechists and leaders, and where to find copyright-free images.
• Joe Paprocki: Catechist Webinars helps to become a better catechist.
• Lesson Plan Template: a blank lesson plan that catechists can use to create a catechetical session.
• Make Beliefs Comix: have fun by creating your own comic strips. Great homework assignment.
• Motivator: Create, share, and buy your own customized motivational posters.
• Prezi: create presentations that you can present from anywhere with an Internet connection.
• Puzzlemaker: a free puzzle generation tool for teachers, students, and parents. Create and print customized word search, criss-cross, math puzzles, and more-using your own word lists.
• Teaching Catholic Kids: from Our Sunday Visitor, is an online tool for parents, teachers and catechists. Free downloadable activities and teacher resources are updated each month.
• Word Search Creator: create word search games for the classroom or home.
• YouCat: based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church YouCat (Youth Catechism) is written for and by young people who want to know what they believe.

Websites for Catechists

• Amazing Catechists: serves and supports catechists as you bring the light of our Catholic Faith to others.
• C21 -- The Church in the 21st Century: Boston College provides solid theological resources on the Catholic faith in magazine, video, web and podcast formats.
• CatechismClass.com: an online and interactive religious education program for Catholics of all ages.
• Catechism in a Year: Get a little of the Catechism emailed to you each day, read and you'll have covered the entire Catechism of the Catholic Church in a year.
• Catechist Café: the diocese of Youngstown diocesan library website.
• Catechist Magazine: official magazine of the National Catholic Catechists Society.
• Catholic Apostolate Center: assisting pastoral leaders in deepening collaboration with one another and providing formation and apostolic opportunities.
• Catholic Catechist: a source for comprehensive teaching resources including lesson plans, games, icebreakers, worksheets and many other useful ideas.  Note: some of this site is by paid subscription only.
• Catholic Educator's Resource Center: online source for information on Catholic faith and culture.
• Catholic Relief Services Education: a gateway to activities, lesson plans, simulations, prayer services and other resources that explore global issues through the lens of Catholic Social teaching.
• Credible Catholic: seven free modules that address the secular myths in our society. 
• eCatechist: Ideas, inspiration, and resources are the focus of this online resource for catechists.
• Domestic Church: promotes a Catholic culture of the home that will aid each family to become "what you are!"
• Formed: a streaming video resource for Catholic content.
• Institute for Christian Formation (ICF): assists Catholic Christians in celebrating and handing on faith in a manner authentic to our Roman Catholic tradition.
• Loyal Press's Presentations: powerpoint presentations that catechists can use in the classroom; you can show them on the Internet or download.
• Magis Center of Reason and Faith: explores and shares the close connection between reason and faith as revealed by new discoveries in physics and philosophy.
• Praying the Rosary: a PowerPoint presentation for the classroom on praying the rosary in English and Spanish.
• RCL Benziger: downloadable resources, prayers, and activities.
• Resources for Catholic Educators: seeks to assist Catholic teachers and catechists by providing them with information and easy access to resources. links, handouts, lesson plans and other resources.
• St. Mary's Press Resource Center: a variety of online resources for catechists in a variety of formats.
• Sister Rose Goes to the Movies: Daughter of St. Paul, Sister Rose Pacatte offers video reviews of current movies along with discussion questions for class.
• The Liturgical Catechist: promotes liturgical catechesis.
• The Religion Teacher: offers practical resources and teaching strategies to help religious educators transform the lives of the young people they teach.
• True Freedom:  Anti-Pornography initiative materials available from the Archdiocesan Family Life Office.

References

• Catechetical Formation in Chaste Living: Guidelines for Curriculum and Publication -- guidelines for teaching human sexuality in Catholic schools and religious education programs; approved by the NCCB in November 2007.
• Catechism of the Catholic Church: the teachings of the Catholic Church in an authoritative form.
• Catholic Information Service: the Knights of Columbus provide resources on many topics of Catholic belief and doctrine.
• Conformity Listing of Catechetical Texts and Series: The most current listing of religious education texts and series that have been found in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church; published by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.
• Compendium: Catechism of the Catholic Church: the Catechism of the Catholic Church in question and answer format.
• General Catechetical Directory: published by the Sacred Congregation for the Clergy, April 11, 1971.
• General Directory for Catechesis: from the Vatican Congregation of the Clergy, good resource for catechetical leaders.
• Guide for Catechists: the identity of the catechist, his/her selection, formation and spirituality; basic apostolic tasks and finally, the economic situation, from the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
• In Support of Catechetical Ministry: Statement of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops recommitting to the development and support of the catechetical ministry. (Issued June 16, 2000)
• Social Media Guidelines: USCCB's "best practices" for Church personnel using social media in ministry.
• The Catechist in the Third Millennium: addresses the new urgency and concern for both the quality of catechesis and those who are called to this ministry; published by the New York State Roman Catholic Bishops in 1998.