Religious Education/Catechesis
 The Mission of the Office for Religious Education is to "put adults, youth, and children in communion and intimacy with Jesus Christ through lifelong catechesis for discipleship in and through the Catholic Church." ~ National Directory for Catechisis
"It is by celebrating our strengths, identifying areas for improvement and working together that Catholic education will flourish for generations to come, bringing them Christ's gospel and helping them grow in their encounter with the living Lord."
- Archbishop Wuerl
Catechesis, sometimes referred to as religious education, is an essential component of evangelization. Its aim is not simply to instruct, but to form people as Christian disciples and bring them to intimacy and communion with Jesus Christ.
The Office for Religious Education supports and implements policies for religious education/catechesis carried out in parishes and Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Washington. It is committed to all catechetical ministries, offered to both adults and youth/children, which have as their goal a deepened faith and a more profound understanding of the Person of Christ (Catechesi Tradendae, 5).
Forming Disciples for the New Evangelization
Archdiocesan Religion Curriculum Guide, Pre-K to 8
For more information about catechesis, religious education, courses and events, contact the Office for Religious Education at 301-853-4506, or visit our Calendar of Events.
General Information and Resources
Hispanic Catechesis/Catequesis en Espanol
Programa de Formación de Catequistas: Corazones Ardientes (Hearts Aflame). Se ofrecen los siguientes cursos para la formación de catequistas: Credo, Moralidad Cristiana, Sacramentos, Sagrada Escritura, Oracion Cristiana, Catequesis. Una vez terminados estos cursos se les otorga el certificado que les acredita para desempeñarse como catequistas en la Arquidiócesis.
También se tienen reuniones con los coordinadores de catequesis hispana en las parroquias con el propósito de informarles y formarles. En algunas parroquias se han organizado clases para los padres de los niños que asisten a la catequesis para lo cual los coordinadores reciben la asistencia de la coordinadora arquidiocesana de catequesis hispana. También se prove asistencia a los coordinadores parroquiales para sus reuniones con los catequistas. Se provee orientación personal a los coordinadores parroquiales que necesiten este servicio.
Hearts Aflame Catechist Formation Program
The Hearts Aflame Catechist Formation Program provides both initial and comprehensive formation for parish catechists and elementary school teachers of religion. Archdiocesan catechist certification is awarded to those who satisfy the requirements of the Hearts Aflame Program.
Archdiocesan Catechetical Leaders Association (ACLA)
The Archdiocesan Catechetical Leaders Association (ACLA) was founded by Washington’s former archbishop, Cardinal James A. Hickey, in 1994. The mission of the Association is to foster the personal, professional and spiritual growth of catechetical leaders in the Church of Washington.
MRE Leadership Formation Program
The 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.
Catholic Education: Looking to the Future with Confidence, Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl, September 2008: Full document / en español / Summary
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