Archdiocese of Washington

Program Description
MRE Leadership Formation is an 18-20 month program designed for lay or religious, paid or volunteer, who aspire to be qualified parish catechetical leaders. The program provides formation opportunities and resources for understanding those biblical, theological, spiritual and liturgical principles which inform and enrich the ministry of catechesis in the life of a parish. It also mentors individuals in those professional and interpersonal skills necessary for the ministry of catechetical leadership.

Catechetical Leadership
The Archdiocese of Washington recognizes three distinct levels of professional catechetical leadership (Archdiocesan Policy Manual for Parish Catechesis, 1999):

Director of Religious Education (DRE) holds or is working toward a master’s degree in Catholic theology or religious education. He/she designs, organizes and directs the life long faith formation programs of the parish.
Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE) is expected to hold or possess the competencies equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in Catholic theology or religious education. He/she organizes and administers all or part of a parish catechetical program.
Minister of Religious Education (MRE) does not hold a master’s or a bachelor’s degree in either of these disciplines, but is hired or appointed to administer all or part of a parish catechetical program under the direct supervision of the pastor.

Competency Standards and Tuition
The MRE formation program reflects:

Certification standards developed by the National Conference of Catechetical Leadership (NCCL) and approved by the USCCB Commission on Certification and Accreditation
Directives from the National Directory for Catechesis
Competency standards of the Archdiocese of Washington for parish catechetical leaders in the areas of

Theology
Catechesis
Program Planning
Catechist Formation
Budget Management

Tuition: $50.00 per semester.

In September 2004, the program began its third year of operation with eight new candidates. These candidates will be mentored by the following veteran catechetical leaders:

Barnes, Mary Jo
St. Raphael

Bunn, Sr. Susanne
St. Matthias

Culbreth, Alice
St. Peter

DeLorenzo, Patrick
Our Lady of Mercy

Gutierrez, Magdalena
Hispanic RCIA and Worship

Keimig, Bill
St. Mary

Lawlor, Patricia
St. Rose of Lima

Letourneau, Dr. Nora
St. Francis of Assisi Center for Deaf Ministry

Montas, Gloria
Our Lady of Sorrows

Musco, Theodore J.
St. John Neumann

Nelson, Suzanne
Church of the Resurrection

Rotunno, Charles
Archdiocesan Pastoral Center
Coordinator for Catechetical Program Development

Sklar, Peggy
St. Aloysius

Tucker, Sandra L.
Holy Redeemer

By sharing their time and talents, these mentors will help form new catechetical leaders and in so doing, strengthen the catechetical mission of the Church of Washington.

Why enroll in this program
Upon successful completion of this program, participants will have gained valuable leadership skills and will be granted an Archdiocesan Certification for Catechetical Leadership. This certification qualifies the MRE lay person for a 10% increase in salary. Training sessions are held approximately every other weekend. For the current semester schedule, call the Office for Religious Education at 301-853-4506.