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Proper Care and Feeding of Catechists: “Servant of the Servants of God”
by Mary Beth Jambor

If you ask catechetical leaders to name one responsibility they dread most, many would reply that it is recruiting catechists. As much as we appreciate them, none of us enjoys hunting down enough volunteer catechists for our programs before the first in-service. On the other hand, most of us enjoy the ongoing relationships we develop with catechists as we work together toward the common mission of handing on our faith to the young people in our parish.

Perhaps if we put more time and energy into training and supporting our catechists all year long, we may retain more catechists from year to year and lessen the burden of recruiting. Here are seven tips to help accomplish that goal.

1. Meet with catechists on a regular basis. Meeting with catechists for in-service provides you with the opportunity to both develop teaching skills and build community.

2. Be sure that you are well prepared in advance of the arrival of the catechists. When catechists arrive for a catechetical session or for training, your attention needs to be focused on them and their needs or concerns.

3. Help volunteer catechists recognize their gifts. Affirm them often when you notice their unique talents and dedication to their ministry. Consider holding a “Swap and Share” workshop where catechists can learn from each other.

4. Emphasize to catechists the importance of their role in catechesis. Consider using the PowerPoint presentation provided in the Catechetical Leaders and Religion Coordinators section of FaithFirst.com to introduce catechists to the National Directory for Catechesis.

5. Be sure to provide opportunities that nurture the faith of the catechists. Most catechists are busy parents. It may be difficult for them to find time for an adult enrichment event or even personal reflection. Build time for spiritual growth and renewal into each in-service meeting.

6. Help catechists feel connected to the whole parish. Provide parish updates about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and even budget issues. This will help catechists see how their ministry fits into the broader parish mission and will result in a more informed leadership.

7. Finally, be sure that you take ultimate responsibility for any discipline problems. Unfortunately, just as one child’s behavior can ruin the experience for a whole classroom of children, this child can also ruin the experience of the catechist. Do not allow one child to prevent any catechist from experiencing the joy that can come from sharing our faith with children.

Pope Saint Gregory the Great called himself the “servant of the servants of God” when he became pope in 590. Likewise, we are the servants of our catechists, and our catechists need to understand that we are ready, available, and eager to serve them.

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