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ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW ORLEANS
BASIC CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Basic Certification is earned by completing the following 1 credit (10-clock hour) courses:  Creed I (Trinity); Creed II (Christology); Creed III (Ecclesiology & Eschatology); Sacramental Theology; Personal Moral Theology; Social Moral Theology; Introduction to Spirituality/Prayer; Introduction to Scripture: Old Testament; Introduction to Scripture: New Testament; and Introduction to Catechetics for the total Core hours to equal 10 Credits or 100 clock hours. 

Then one must choose an area of Basic Specialization:  (Parish or School) Elementary Catechist + additional 2 credits or 20 clock hours; Parish High School Catechist + additional 4 credits or 40 clock hours; Adult Catechist + additional 2 credits or 20 clock hours; Parish Evangelization Catechist + additional 4 credits or 40 clock hours; Parish Youth Minister; H.S. Campus Minister + additional 4 credits or 40 clock hours; or Catholic School Administrator + additional 4 credits or 40 clock hours.   

These courses represent a systematic presentation of the Catholic Faith in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church and recent catechetical documents.  The Office of Religious Education advises (parish & school) catechists and interested adults to participate in these courses in the above-listed order for maximum understanding. However, this is not a requirement.  Courses are offered throughout the year:  Fall, Spring and Summer – generally participants should engage in one course per season in order to complete Basic Certification in a four-year period.  

Should a person participate in an Advanced/Renewal course or ORE approved workshop/conference before Basic Certification is earned, the course/workshop will be listed on their personal profile; however, it will not get one closer to the achievement of Basic Certification.  ONE CANNOT “BANK” CREDITS TO APPLY TO A RENEWAL OF CERTIFICATION BEFORE BASIC CERTIFICATION IS EARNED.  ONE CANNOT "BANK" CREDITS BEYOND THE FOUR (4) YEAR PERIOD OF CERTIFICATION RENEWAL.

Certification must be renewed every four years by earning at least four credits (40 clock hours) in a four-year period; two of these credits must be from a Basic/Renewal or Advanced/Renewal course offering and two others may be obtained through ORE-approved workshops or conferences (for example, 2 Hofinger Conferences- both days). 

During the 2004 – 2005 & 2005 – 2006 catechetical years the Office of Religious Education adjusted the Basic Certification course requirements to be in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, as well as recent catechetical documents.  Course opportunities are now offered in parishes and schools upon request (subject to sufficient enrollment) in 10-clock hour blocks, at times most convenient to the requestors.  If you were participating in 20-clock hour course blocks prior to the 2004 – 2005 catechetical year, the following listing serves as a comparison with the new “To Know, To Love, To Serve” Basic Certification courses.  All 20-clock hour courses earned before the 2004 – 2005 catechetical year will be honored toward Basic Certification. 

Creed I. (Trinity) new addition to be in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church 
Creed II. (Christology)
Creed III. (Ecclesiology & Eschatology) These two courses are the equivalent to the 20-clock hour course: “Jesus and His Church”
Sacramental Theology was offered as a 20-clock hour course -  now offered as a 10-clock hour course
Personal Moral Theology
Social Moral Theology these two courses together are equivalent to the 20-clock hour course:
“Introduction to Morality (Personal & Social)”
Introduction to Spirituality / Prayer was offered as a 20-clock hour course – now offered as a 10-clock hour course
Introduction to Scripture:  Old Testament
Introduction to Scripture:  New Testament these two courses together are equivalent to the 20-clock hour course: “Introduction to Scripture – Old and New Testament”
Introduction to Catechetics new addition to be in conformity with the General Directory for Catechesis and the National Directory for Catechesis 

DURING THIS TRANSITION PERIOD BETWEEN THE 20-CLOCK HOUR BASIC CERTIFICATION COURSE OFFERINGS AND THE NEW “TO KNOW, TO LOVE, TO SERVE” 10-CLOCK HOUR BASIC CERTIFICATION COURSES, CATECHISTS AND INTERESTED ADULTS SHOULD PARTAKE IN COURSE OPPORTUNITIES THAT TOTAL 100 HOURS WITHOUT REPEATING ANY TOPIC AREAS, IN ADDITION TO COURSES IN THEIR AREA OF SPECIALIZATION (2 CREDITS OR 20-CLOCK HOURS or 4 CREDITS OR 40-CLOCK HOURS). 

Please don’t hesitate to call Carole Obrokta – Archdiocesan Director of Religious Education, if you have any questions regarding this certification process: (504) 861-6309 or e-mail cobrokta@archdiocese-no.org

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REQUIRED TEXTS FOR ALL
TO KNOW, TO LOVE, TO SERVE COURSES:

Sacred Scripture and
The Catechism of the Catholic Church

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PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
FOR ALL I.C.S. COURSES TO DETERMINE
WHETHER OR NOT THE COURSE
WILL BE HELD !

A MINIMUM OF TWELVE PRE-REGISTRATIONS MUST BE FAXED, MAILED OR E-MAILED TO THE OFFICE OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION BY OR BEFORE THE SPECIFIED REGISTRATION DUE DATE IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE POSSIBILITY OF A COURSE.

WALK-IN ARE ALWAYS WELCOMED ONCE A COURSE IS TO BE CONDUCTED -- THEY WILL BE ABLE TO REGISTER AT THE DOOR.

IF THE OFFICE OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION DOES NOT RECEIVE TWELVE PRE-REGISTRATIONS BY OR BEFORE THE SPECIFIED REGISTRATION DUE DATE, THE COURSE WILL BE POSTPONED OR CANCELLED, and will be taken off the website. THE PRE-REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY PHONE THE DAY AFTER THE REGISTRATION DUE DATE.

Please call Carole Obrokta (504) 861-6309 to set-up a course at your parish or school.  The parish or school contact person will determine the best time and dates to hold a class at their parish or school site.  The Office of Religious Education will assign the I.C.S. Master Catechist to meet those time and date requirements.  Course brochures will be sent to the parish or school contact person for distribution and the information about the course will be listed on the ORE website (see below).  Lists of names do not constitute pre-registrations.  The Office of Religious Education needs the information listed on the Pre-Registration Form in order to process certification credit properly.

Don't hesitate to call Carole Obrokta, Director -- Office of Religious Education if you have any questions (504) 861-6309.

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Course availability are posted to this site as courses are made available.
Please check this site often for updates.

Institute of Catechetics & Spirituality Course Listings  Revised 06/24/08

   

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE FOR COURSES

 

 NOTE:  Pre-registrations are most important in order to determine whether or not
 a course will  be held. See highlighted paragraph above.                             

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Goals & Objectives for ICS Courses

To Know, To Love, To Serve
(Basic / Renewal Certification Courses)

Creed I:  Trinity
Creed II:  Christology
Creed III: Ecclesiology & Eschatology
Sacramental Theology
Moral Theology (Personal)
Moral Theology (Social)
Spirituality
Intro Scripture: Old Testament
Intro Scripture: New Testament
Intro Catechetics

SPECIALIZATION COURSES

P/S Elementary Catechist Specialization (Pre-K to 8th Grade) - Methods: Part 1*
P/S Elementary Catechist Specialization (Pre-K to 8th Grade) - Methods: Part 2*

MISCELLANEOUS COURSES

Made in the Image of God (Racial Harmony)
(Advanced Morality / Renewal Course)

Safe Environment Training

NOTE: 
Pre-registrations are most important in order to determine whether or not a course will be held. 
                         
            If you are unsure whether your registration went through or simply
            want to verify your registration, please call Gwen @ 861-6302.

            Payment(s) may be sent the week before the course start date through the mail to:
            Office of Religious Education, 7887 Walmsley Avenue, New Orleans, LA  70125
            (please include proper documentation with the check) or given to the
            Master Catechist some time during the course.