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Catechist Training and Resources
Safe Environment
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One of the requirements for working with minors is to become "safe environment" compliant. It's a simple process of paperwork and training to make sure we provide an appropriate space to minister to our youth. Please work on completing this as soon as possible.
NEW VOLUNTEERS:
STEP 1: Make sure you're registered with the parish.
STEP 2: Click the instructions below to find how to, online: create an account with CMG Connect, complete background check, & sign a code of ethics. Fill out paperwork for a volunteer profile.
STEP 3: Register for & watch the Safe Haven video.
Questions?! Reach out to our parish Safe Environment Coordinator, Kathy McKinney at KathyMcKinney@stlukecatholicminthill.org
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Relational Ministry
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE:
You don't need to know everything; you don't need to have all the answers. You only need to walk with the teens and love them like Jesus. Our teens long to be SEEN, KNOWN, and LOVED - that's your role. To see them for who they are as a unique individual, to listen to their questions and stories, and to build a trusting, appropriate, mentoring relationship.
What does this look like?
Making eye contact, using names, asking follow-up questions from remembered conversations (you can even keep notes!).
"Hey, Mark! How was your game last week?"
"Good evening, Sofia. How did that big test go?"
DOES IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Young people who have trusted adults in their lives who share their faith can make all the difference:
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ARTICLE: What Religion Offers Teenagers: Benefits of Religion for Teens
ARTICLE: The Benefits of Youth Religion and How Tradelines Can be Beneficial
ARTICLE: Institute of Family Studies: Religious Upbringing and Adolescents
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Curriculum
Materials and Class Structure
Outline of Sessions
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Large group model for a unified and cohesive experience
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6th grade - Classroom based for about 1 hour; covering 8 sessions over 16 weeks
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6:00-6:05 Gather, welcome, overview, opening prayer
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6:05-6:10 Saint Spotlight/Patron — 6th grade dismiss to class
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6:10-6:30 Large group lesson
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6:30-7:00 Small group - discussion and any activities
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7:00-7:15 Biblical Connection (can be in large or small groups, depending on the week)
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7:15-7:30 Prayer Practice, closing and dismissal — 6th grade to join at 7:15
6TH GRADE VENTURE CURRICULUM
DIGITAL LEADER MATERIAL ACCESS:
To access the leader material for the 6th grade curriculum, please log in to Thinkific here: https://ascensionpress.thinkific.com/enrollments
User: katyde_ath@stlukecatholicminthill.org
Password: Ascensionpw1!
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CONFIRMATION ONLINE CURRICULUM:
To access the lessons ahead of time go to:
www.stlukecatholic.thinkific.com and create your own account with an email and password.
CATECHISTS = SHEPHERDS
Looking back over discernment meetings, in talking with you all, and seeing there were still gaps, we talked about revamping the program to present material live (rather than videos) and move towards large group format (especially as we were outgrowing the classroom space). This coming year, we're going to send the 6th graders off to continue using the Bible-centric curriculum from Ascension (VENTURE) and then combine both Confirmation year 1&2 into a large group for the learning portion of the session.
Our vision is to break down each session to include a different form of prayer, a Biblical component, a Saint story, a large group "lesson", and have time in small groups (ideally 8-10 teens) to build relationships and digest material. We will have "shepherds" (you all!) lead these small groups in discussion, reflection, and community building (we'll take care of the teaching portion for you!). We also want to include some movement and fun like in the past two years, with activities and games relevant to the topic of the night.
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Topics will be similar to the Ascension Chosen program, covering the four pillars of the catechism (creed, sacraments, prayer, moral life) over the course of 2 years. Kristen and Katy will be presenting a lot of the material, but would love to co-op guest speakers, confident catechists, and maybe even clergy to cover the various topics. We would also love to utilize you all who are comfortable to share your talents of story telling, leading prayer (this could even include music), and opening up the Word of God from a Bible passage with the large group. As we solidify curriculum, we'll ask for your help to diversify the voices the teens hear and be an example of God working through you.
Training Videos Playlist
How to Lead Small Group Discussions / Relational Ministry
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Short video from Lifeteen about 2024 teens: I Am iGen (I am iGen – 3 mins)
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Training: Relational Ministry (5 mins): Training Relational Ministry, Part 1 Intro to Basics
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Training: RM Part 2 (15 mins): Training Relational Ministry, Part 2 Q&A A Core Team Discussion
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Training: Beyond Basics Part 3 (5 mins): Training Relational Ministry, Part 3 Beyond Basics
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Training: Small Groups Part 1 (3 mins): Training Small Groups, Part 1 Small Group Basics
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Training: Small Groups Part 2 Acting (9 mins): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqAnS3manms
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Classroom Management
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