Methods & Models

Approved Models / Methods for Family Catechesis in Parish Religious Education Programs in the Archdiocese of New York

What is the goal and mission of Family Catechesis in Parish Religious Education?
 

• help families learn how to pray and to discuss their faith together
• help parents better understand their role as primary catechists
• bring families together in order to share and deepen their Catholic faith
• strengthen the relationship between the family and the Church
• establish ongoing Catholic faith practices within the family life
• integrate the family into the parish community

• Students in Grades K – 8 are to participate in five hours of Family Catechesis every year.
• Family Catechesis opportunities can be offered anytime from Sept. to August every year.
• Family catechesis can be any combination model or method listed.

What are the nine models of family catechesis?

1. Intergenerational Whole Community Family Catechesis: parents stay together with their children for the entire time, the program lasts for 2 ½ hours and follow the Six (6) Program Design Steps:
   • Step 1: Hospitality / Meal
   • Step 2: Opening Prayer
   • Step 3: Introduction of Theme to Whole Group
   • Step 4: In-Depth Learning (Whole Group or Activity Stations)
   • Step 5: Shared Learning Summary, Explain Home Kit
   • Step 6: Closing Prayer

1. Intergenerational Whole Community Family Catechesis (Modified): parents are separated from children for Step #4 (in-depth learning); include whatever of the Six Program Design Steps you want.
2. Multi-Media Family Catechesis: families watch a movie that is age-appropriate, that offers a Catholic moral/theological teaching, showing a short clip/portion of the movie at a time; offer reflection questions for the families to discuss after each movie clip at the parish; end with prayer.
3. Family Prayer Celebration: families participate in a Catholic devotion or another Catholic prayer service together e.g. rosary, stations of the cross, Eucharistic adoration; offer some direction before the ritual / prayer experience; offer reflection questions for the families to discuss after the ritual at the parish; give an activity / review sheet to be brought home after the ritual.
4. Activity-Centered Family Catechesis: families participate in an arts & craft activity together that offers a Catholic moral/theological teaching and/or practice; start with some or all of the following: hospitality/ prayer/introduction to a theme; offer reflection questions for the families to discuss at the parish and/or home.
5. Family Christian Service Project: families participate in a Christian Service project together at or outside the parish; offer reflection questions for the families to discuss after service project is done; give an activity/review sheet to be brought home after the service project is done.
6. Family Christian Holiday Celebration: families participate in a Christian Holiday meal or tradition together at the parish; offer reflection questions for the families to discuss after the celebration at the parish; give an activity/review sheet to be brought home after the Holiday celebration.
7. Family Pilgrimage: families participate in a pilgrimage together, visiting a holy/sacred site; offer reflection questions for the families to discuss after the pilgrimage; give an activity/review sheet to be brought home after the pilgrimage.
8. Family Retreat Day: families participate in a retreat experience together; the retreat day would offer time for prayer, reflection, discussion, community building.