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Documents & Teaching Resources
- Catechist Social Agenda 102022
- Kindergarten & Elementary CCE Calendar 2022-2023
- Kindergarten Faith Formation (CCE) Lesson Schedule 2022-2023
- Elementary Faith Formation (CCE) Lesson Schedule 2022-2023 (Grades 1-5)
- EQs Over the Life Cycle
- First Day Icebreakers
- Accessing Class Lesson Videos
- Supplemental Catechist Resources
- Bookshelf Outline of the Bible
- Bible Challenge Worksheets
- Assessment Strategies
- Common Prayers by Age/Grade
- "Learning by Heart" Common Prayers Lesson Handout
- "Encountering Christ Thru Mass" Lesson Handout
- Ten Commandments Ordering Comparison
- First Commandment
- Expectations and Conduct Policy
- Classroom Teaching Strategies
- Student Make-Up Work Instructions
- Catechist Questionnaire
- Catechist Handbook
- Handbook Acknowledgement
- Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) Procedures/Policies
- Health, Safety & Environment Quiz
- Volunteer Code of Conduct
- Email Policy Acknowledgement
- Youth Volunteer Waiver
- Prayers for Catechists & Students
- To Teach as Jesus Did
- Four Ways Mary Inspires Catechists
- Lessons Catechists Can Learn from St. Joseph
- Evangelization and Catechesis
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Circle of Grace RESOURCES
- Circle of Grace Catechist Training Summary
- Circle of Grace Catechist Quick Reference Guide
- Arch Galveston-Houston Reporting Requirements for Suspected Abuse
- Circle of Grace Meditation
- COG Kinder Lesson
- COG 1st Grade Lesson
- COG 2nd Grade Lesson
- COG 3rd Grade Lesson
- COG 4th Grade Lesson
- COG 5th Grade Lesson
- COG 5th Grade Activity Supplement
- COG 4th & 5th Grade Supplemental Video Resources
- Circle of Grace Parent Packet
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WEEKLY LESSON PLAN OUTLINES(Grades 1 thru 5)
- Meet & Greet Lesson Plan
- Week 1 - Bible Literacy Lesson Plan
- Week 2 - UNIT 1, EQ 1 Lesson
- Week 3 - UNIT 1, EQ 2 Lesson
- Week 4 - UNIT 1 Evaluation Strategies
- Week 5 - UNIT 2, EQ 1 (Part 1) Lesson
- Week 6 - UNIT 2, EQ 1 (Part 2)
- Week 7 - UNIT 2, EQ 2 Lesson
- Week 8 - UNIT 2, EQ 3 Lesson
- Week 9 - ADVENT Lesson
- Week 10 - UNIT 2 Evaluation Strategies
- Week 11 - CHRISTMAS Lesson
- Week 12 - Unit 3, EQ 1 Lesson
- Week 13 - Unit 3, EQ 2 Lesson
- Week 14 - Unit 3, EQ 3 (Part 1) COG Lesson
- Week 15 - Unit 3, EQ 3 (Part 2) DOHP Lesson
- Week 16 - UNIT 3 Evaluation Strategies
- Week 17 - ASH WEDS & LENT Lesson
- Week 18 - Unit 4, EQ 1 Lesson
- Week 19 - Unit 4, EQ 2 (Part 1) Lesson
- Week 20 - Unit 4, EQ 2 (Part 2) VOCATIONS
- Week 21 - HOLY WEEK Lesson
- Week 22 - EASTER Lesson
- Week 23 - UNIT 4 Evaluation Strategies
- Week 24 - PENTECOST Lesson
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Contact Us
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Joan Hastreiterjhastreiterstlaurence.orgElementary Faith Formation Coordinator
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Lisa Feigherylfeigherystlaurence.orgElementary Assistant Coordinator
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The Catechist :
A Sharer of the Gift of FaithWhat Is a Catechist?
The word catechist comes from a Greek word meaning "to echo". Catechists echo the Word of God to the children of St. Laurence. Catechists come from all walks of life and all ages: women, men, confirmed teenagers, parents, grandparents, singles, and religious. Catechists are not expert teachers or brilliant theologians. They are ordinary people, just like you, who generously volunteer their time to share our Catholic faith, values, and traditions with our youngest generation of Christians and to walk beside/bear witness to them. They are positive role models who help children grow in faith, spirituality and their relationship with God. Their gift of time and talents has tremendous value... because through their words, actions, and expression of love for their students, the message of Jesus Christ continues to spread throughout the world.
"Catechists are people who keep the memory of God alive;
they keep it alive in themselves and are able to revive it in others."
Pope Francis
"Faith formation is more than a subject to be taught - it is an invitation to a way of life."
Joe Paprocki, DiM and Catholic authorIs God Calling You to Be a Catechist?
Do you:
- Love God and want to know Him better?
- Love children and enjoy working with them?
- Want to share God's love with others?
- Want to be good role model for children?
- Want to share your faith more and help others grow in their own faith?
- Want to help children develop a relationship with God through Jesus Christ?
Your "yes" answer to any of the questions above may mean
that God is calling you to be a Catechist!
The Elementary Faith Formation Program is always in need of volunteer catechists/co-catechists, classroom assistants and mentor buddies to help spread the Good News and to share the Catholic faith with all of our parish children.
"And this is the job of the catechist: constantly go forth to others out of love to bear witness and to talk about Jesus, to proclaim Jesus. This is important because the Lord does it; it is the Lord that impels us to go forward."
Pope Francis
It takes upwards of 100 volunteers EACH WEEK to serve the children of St. Laurence in grades Kindergarten thru 5th. We are always actively recruiting volunteers for our Elementary Faith Formation Program!
Our best source of volunteers comes from parents and grandparents, as well as older youth/teens, who wish to support the program in this special way.
All adults who have completed (or are willing to complete) the Diocesan Safe Environment training (Safe Haven), as well as high school youth, are invited to apply.
For class times and other details about our weekly programs
and current volunteer needs please see below.
As a bonus, parent volunteers receive a significant discount on the faith formation fees for their own children who also receive priority placement in Elementary Faith Formation.The Role of the Catechist
The role of a catechist is one who is called to nurture a living, conscious and active faith in the youth and children he/she teaches. A Catechist is one who witnesses to the faith by sharing his/her faith commitment through word, experience, prayer and liturgy.
The Catechist/Co-Catechist is responsible for planning and leading weekly catechetical sessions using the training, resources and Weekly Lesson Plan Outlines provided. The time commitment is for one full school year (i.e. September to May). The sessions are one hour and fifteen minutes each week.
The commitment to serve as a catechist involves ongoing personal faith formation. It is vital that as a sharer of the faith that the catechist continues to grow in his/her own faith. That is why catechist formation is highly encouraged because it provides a teaching context in which the catechist can develop a deeper understanding and love for the Catholic faith which he/she shares.
Qualifications- To have a desire to share your faith and love for Jesus with children and young people
- To be able to relate comfortably with children and young people
- To be committed to quality Catholic education
- To take part in the sacramental life of the Church, including being a Confirmed Catholic
- To begin/continue working towards catechist formation
- To have satisfactorily completed the Safe Environment training (and all updates) required by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and passed a background check.
Volunteer Opportunities:Volunteers are always needed for Elementary Faith Formation.
As children return to the classroom and we rebuild our volunteer base post-COVID, we are in serious need of adults devoted to the Catholic faith who have a heart for sharing that joy and their love for Jesus Christ with the children of St. Laurence.
Please consider offering your time and talents in one of the many rewarding opportunities offered including facilitating a class, providing classroom assistance/support, substituting when needed or providing hallway monitoring help during our sessions.
Both adults and high school youth are welcome!
Weekly classes for the upcoming 2022-2023 faith formation year
will begin the week of September 6th/7th.
Thanks to all who recently expressed an interest in helping and especially to those who stepped up to serve this year.
We are grateful for your generosity of heart!
Our remaining classroom needs based upon final registration numbers are listed below.
Please contact Joan or Lisa with questions.
Tuesday Session (classes from 6 to 7:15pm):
* Hallway Monitors: 1 adult
* Substitutes (All Grades)
Wednesday Session (classes from 5:15 to 6:30pm):
* Substitutes (All Grades)* We are in immediate need of another adult to help co-facilitate a 5th grade class on Tuesdays. We encourage team teaching so that the responsiblity is shared among the volunteers on a weekly basis. This adult will join the other two adults on this team to serve a class of twelve (12) children.
The more adults there are willing to serve, the more children we are able
to place in more manageably sized classes.
Please prayerfully consider helping out in any way that you can!
If interested in volunteering, please complete the
ELEMENTARY VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION online
or come by the Ave Maria Center to pick up a form.
Questions? Please contact Joan Hastreiter or Lisa Feighery for details.
***************************Top 10 Reasons to Become a Catechist...(by Joe Paprocki, DiM and Catholic author)- You will grow in your own faith, learn the teachings of the Church, and deepen your relationship with Jesus.
- Your Baptism calls you to share in Jesus’ ministry.
- Children, teens, and adults in today’s world, more than ever, need to hear the Good News of Jesus.
- Children, teens, and adults in today’s world, more than ever, need to encounter good role models of faith.
- You have much to share with those you’ll teach, and you’ll have opportunities to share faith with other catechists.
- Today’s catechetical textbooks/resources offer outstanding support.
- You’ll be challenged, you’ll have fun, and you’ll make new friends.
- You’ll be helping people deepen their relationship with Jesus. (You’ll be evangelizing!)
- You’ll be handing on a 2000-year-old Tradition that changes lives.
- It’s our job: Jesus sent us to “go and teach all nations.”
********************************Here’s what some of our catechists have to say about
teaching CCE:
"When my son Dominic was around 3 years old, I began feeling a nudge from God to be more involved in his faith formation. When he started Kindergarten, I knew I wanted him to attend CCE in person to continue that spiritual growth but also to meet other children his age who shared the same beliefs. The nudge I felt become a push, and it was God telling me I should sign up to be a catechist and teach CCE. I knew I would be in good hands both from the spiritual journey God planned for me but also because the preparation, tools and resources provided to the catechists. I was blessed to be partnered with a kind, loving, generous, and faith-filled co-catechist who also helped me learn and grow in my own faith. Sharing this experience with Dominic has strengthened our bond. It’s been such a beautiful way for me to see him grow. As a working parent I don’t get to spend a lot of time with him during the week, but CCE was quality time well spent with him and the other children. The joy and the knowledge both given and received during the CCE year was amazing. It truly is one of the most rewarding things you can do."
Kate Arno, Kindergarten Catechist 2021-2022“As a grandmother and former teacher, it has been rewarding to teach CCE. Children are awed by Bible stories, challenged to recite new prayers, curious to know the names of Mary’s parents, and excited when the seven sacraments are learned. Prior teaching experience is not necessary. The time commitment is reasonable, lesson plans and materials are provided, and the support staff is superb. Without a doubt my faith has grown and become stronger. During Mass it is gratifying to have your students smile when they see you or quietly wave to you. Come join us! In addition, new friends will be made as you get acquainted with fellow catechists.”
Madeline Pyle, 3rd Grade Catechist
***********************For additional information on this rewarding ministry,
please send inquiries to Joan Hastreiter or Lisa Feighery.