It is the hope that all Religious Education programs will offer faith formation courses that are not only comprehensive in knowledge of the faith but instrumental in leading all students to a love of God and an active participation in the life of the Church. Since every culture brings unique expressions of faith to society, every religious education program should strive to be sensitive to cultural diversity and incorporate the prayers and traditions of their multi- ethnic populations.
The Goals of Catechesis
The goals of catechesis for elementary school catechists emanate from the three major goals of adult catechesis as proposed in the Church document: Our Hearts Were Burning within Us: A Pastoral Plan for Adult Faith Formation in the United States.
Specifically, these goals include:
1) to invite and enable ongoing conversion to Jesus in holiness of life,
2) to promote and support active membership in the Christian Community, and,
3) to call and prepare adults to act as disciples in mission to the world. (OHWB: 2005, #68, 70, 72)
Curriculum Guidelines for elementary religious education facilitate the accomplishment of the broader goals for catechesis. The process of evangelization to proclaim the Word and hand it down to future generations is key to every vibrant religious education program. “Evangelizing is, in fact, the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity. She exists in order to evangelize.” (EN: 1975, #14) An integral element in catechesis is learning by discipleship. Curriculum guidelines strive to bring about that conversion to Jesus Christ that fosters an active decision to walk in the steps of Jesus. Religious literacy for every student of the Gospel should be a priority so that they will know the truths of the faith and be able to communicate them with clarity. Finally, religious education guidelines should engender the concept of life long faith formation since faith is a journey that begins at Baptism and ends when we are welcomed home to the Father.
With the three major goals of catechesis as an umbrella, religion curriculum guidelines need to support major objectives that encompass a comprehensive learning and living of the faith. Catechesis should be systematic and comprehensive so that children will be taught all the truths of the faith (i.e. the objective truths revealed by God in the life and work of Jesus Christ and the teaching of the Apostles continuing to our day in the Magisterium). Every grade should offer appropriate key concepts and knowledge that support the six tasks of catechesis mentioned in the “Purpose” for Religion Education Guidelines. The “tasks,” if accomplished, will send out to the world disciples who know the faith, live the faith, and have missionary zeal to pass it on to future generations. These disciples will actively participate in the liturgical and communal life of the parish and have a universal understanding of the Church’s rightful place in the modern world.
Outcome-Based Education
The Religious Education Curriculum Guidelines contain a set of objectives for the children to meet on every grade level. These objectives encompass the six tasks of Catechesis which include:
These tasks as stated in the General Directory of Catechesis (GDC: 1997, #85) provide the framework for the religious education outcomes to be met in every level from Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth Grades. Catechists, in their planning and preparation, should consider a variety of assessment tools to determine that the objectives of the Religious Education Curriculum Guidelines are taught and ultimately learned by the students so that they can pursue their faith journeys to become fully initiated, faith-filled Catholics.