Claire+McManus+Proposal+Page

**Proposal**  Claire M. McManus
 * Project contact:**

Caroline Cerveny, SSJ-TOSF
 * Project Coordinator:**

Forming Our Catechists The Six Tasks Every Catechist Should Know
 * Project Title:**

Many catechists volunteer to serve in our parish religious education programs but have very little background in Church teaching. In the past there have been opportunities offered at the Diocesan level that gave a basic overview of Church teaching. The program had three different formats, including a series of six two-hour courses in theology, or the Echoes of Faith video series. Catechists could also take the Core Course in Theology offered by the Notre Dame Step Program. All three formats required at least 20 hours of participation. Over the years we have found that fewer catechists took advantage of these opportunities, and that parish catechetical leaders are reluctant to place extra demands for formation. These are very busy parents that are willing to serve, but have little time to take part in formation programs and meetings. This project will create an on-line process for introducing the Six Tasks of Catechesis in order to prepare the catechist for basic catechist formation.
 * Project Description:**

● Create a Weebly website that delivers an overview of the six tasks of catechesis. ● Use the blog on the Weebly site to generate reflections on each of the Six tasks ● Create a Google Doc Form to assess the catechists’ knowledge of the Six Tasks of Catechesis at the conclusion of the process. Results will be shared with the catechists and their Catechetical Leader ● A Google Doc Form will be generated after results have been posted that asks both Catechists and Parish Catechetical Leaders to evaluate the process. ● The ultimate goal is to stimulate interest in learning more about the Church so that catechists will be motivated to take part in more extensive catechist formation either through Echoes of Faith or to enter the Diocesan Parish Catechetical Leaders Certification Program.
 * Project Goals:**

This project targets new and nearly new catechists in parish religious education programs throughout the Diocese of Fall River.
 * Audience:**

__June 19, 2014__: the general meeting of PCLs. The creation of the Weebly site will be completed so that it The link to the site will be shared with the catechists and their PCLs.
 * Timeline:**
 * My project proposal will be presented to parish catechetical leaders at
 * Parish catechetical leaders will be asked to volunteer to pilot the project with some of their selected catechists who are willing to take part in the formation during the summer.
 * The PCLs will share the link to theWeebly with their catechists. The catechists will begin with the brief Google Form, which will give me the name and email addresses of the participants. Catechists will be asked to start the formation process and finish as soon as possible.
 * Catechists will complete the exit Google Form that serves as an evaluation of the process.

__July 19, 2014__: Final date that the pilot will be completed.

__July 15, 2014__ Essay will be completed.

__July 25, 2014__ The essay will be expanded for publication in NCCL’s Catechetical Leader Magazine for the November 2014 issue.

__August 1, 2014__

The exit survey responses will be collated and shared with the participating catechetical leaders so that the Weebly site can be adjusted. A means by which the site can be utilized by the catechetical leaders without my administration will be developed.

● Weebly: Website used to introduce the each of the Six Tasks of catechesis. ● Weebly Blog: Reflection questions will correspond to each of the Six Tasks. ● Google Forms: All evaluations will be conducted using forms. ● VCat: Provides video content from this site will be embedded into the website to enhance the lesson.
 * Technology Tools: **

This project utilizes free web 2.0 tools and will not require any expense to the Diocese or the parishes. It will be offered as a service provided by the Diocese of Fall River. Approval No approval will be required. The Bishop, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia will be informed of the pilot and invited to offer input and feedback.
 * Budget**


 * Final Project Link: **

The Six Tasks Every Catechist Should Know

Link to @Claire McManus Essay

Link to @Claire McManus Article