Vision

1. An authentic human educational community that (is)

1.1. animated by the spirit of Christ, the person and message of Christ, which gives the school its distinctive character;

1.2. animated by a spirit of freedom and charity.

1.3. characterized by mutual respect, sincere dialogue, and protection of the rights of individuals;

1.4. assists each of its members to achieve wholeness as human persons.

YES

2. An authentic human educational community where

2.1. everyone

- helps in promoting unity, and each one, according to his or her role and capacity,

- contributes

- toward decisions which affect the community and also

- toward maintaining and strengthening the distinctive Catholic character of the institution.

- towards personal and social transformation.

 2.2. where Catholic ideals, attitudes and principles penetrate (permeate) and inform the school's activities in accordance with the proper nature and autonomy of these activities.

3. An academic institution in which Catholicism is vitally present and operative.

Mission

1. To give a comprehensive and systematic catechetical formation of a basic nature over a period of time during which the specifically catechetical dimensions of formation are promoted:

- the Christian message;

- knowledge of the human persons and their socio-cultural situation;

- the pedagogy of faith.

2. To give education

2.1. not for the purpose of gaining power but as an aid towards a fuller understanding of, and communion with man, events and things.

2.2. where knowledge is considered not as a means of material prosperity and success, but as a call to serve and to be responsible for others.

3.To promote  faith-relationship with Christ in whom all values find fulfillment.

3.1. to form individuals to become makatao, makaDiyos, makakalikasan

Aims  

As a Catholic school, a school for ordinary catechists, the catechetical center aims at:

1. The critical communication of human culture and systematic transmission of values for living in the light of faith

2. The total formation of the individual of those particular virtues

guided by its Christian vision of reality,

enabling them to live a new life in Christ,

helping  them to play (live) faithfully their part (role) in building up the Kingdom of God,

bringing forth of the power of Christian virtue by the integration of culture with faith and of faith with living.

3. A synthesis

3.1. of culture and faith by integrating all the different aspects of human knowledge through the subjects taught, in the light of the Gospel;

3.2. of faith and life, through the growth of the virtues characteristic of the Christians.

Community building

A man for others

A man for God

Christ-centered

Social awareness

Ecumenism

Pro-life

Integrity

Commitment

Honesty

contemplative

Essential Characteristics

Therefore, like a Catholic university, the catechetical center must have the following essential characteristics:

1. A Christian inspiration not only of individuals but of the school community as such;

2. A continuing reflection in the light of the Catholic faith upon the growing treasury of human knowledge, to which it seeks to contribute by its own research;

3. Fidelity to the Christian message as it comes to us through the Church;

4. An institutional commitment to the service of the people of God and of the human family in their pilgrimage to the transcendent goal which gives meaning to life.

II. Formators-Teachers / Faculty

1. The integration of culture and faith is mediated by the other integration of faith and life in the person of the teacher. Thus teachers are called to:

1.1. a noble task of imitating Christ, the only Teacher, so that they reveal the Christian message not only by word but also by every gesture of their behavior;

1.2. be witnesses and educators of authentic Christian life, which evidences an attained integration between faith and life, and between professional competence and Christian wisdom.

Witnessing

Lived faith

Consistent in what she/he preaches and does

Prayer life

Practices Christian values

2. All teachers are to be inspired by academic ideals and by the principles of an authentically human life. Thus, teachers seek to

2.1. improve their competence and

2.2. set the content, objectives, methods and results of research in an individual discipline within the framework of a coherent world vision.

Attendance in seminars

Updating

Use of different techniques

Lesson plan is integrated

Attends on-going formation and workshops

3. Through and with the teachers the Catechetical Center as a Catholic school creates within its walls a climate in which the faith of the catechists-students

3.1. will gradually mature and

3.2. enable them to assume the responsibility placed on them by Baptism and as catechists of the Church.

Maturity

Volunteerism

Responsible

Committed

Greater involvement in parish and school activities

Growing self-acceptance and self-awareness

Open minded

Can handle conflict

Capacity to integrate

Minimum

Maximum

3. Catechists-students attain interior maturity through an intense sacramental and prayer life with the following elements:

• reception of the Eucharist
• lived liturgy
• recital of part of the Divine Office (lauds and vespers)
• (daily) meditation
• personal prayer
• frequent reception of the sacrament of penance
• participation in spiritual retreats
• spiritual direction
• recollection

3 x a week

???

2 x a week

2 x a week

Quarterly

Daily

???

daily

daily

daily

monthly

yearly

once in 2 months

monthly

III. Catechists-Students (Being)

Human Maturity    Reference: GC 21

What is to be aimed here is to develop catechists-students with human maturity, suitable for a responsible role in the community. The aim of catechetical formation will be to build on the human qualities already present, to develop them and add the necessary skills for a fruitful ministry.

1. The catechists-students possess in the purely human sphere:

• psychological equilibrium
• good health
• a sense of responsibility
• honesty
• dynamism
• good professional and family conduct
• a spirit of sacrifice
• strength
• perseverance.

Emotional maturity (balanced personality PEPSI / guidance & counseling

Happy, strong, medical/dental treatment/services/facilities

Accomplishes the work given

Does not cheat

Alive, alert, enthusiastic

Criteria for admission policies

Simply lifestyle/decent allowance

Ability with stressful activities

Complete the course/number of graduates/year

Can adjust to any personality

At peace with their culture

Speech lab/skills in the use of modern means of technology

The capacity to take risk

Compassionate

Good sense of humor

Team working/presence of teams

Good decision maker

Objective/prudent

Readiness to accept ideas of others

Realistic / ability to deal with realities of life

Sense of empathy

2. With a view to the functions of a catechist, they have:

• good human relations
• a grasp of their own culture
• ability to communicate
• willingness to work with others
• leadership qualities
• balanced judgment
• openness of mind
• a sense of realism
• a capacity to transmit consolation and hope

3. With a view to particular situations or roles, they develop aptitudes for working in the fields of:

• peacemaking,
• community organizing (building) and development
• socio-cultural (ecological) promotion
• justice.
• Health care, etc.
• Politics
• Economics
• Ecology
• Respect for children and women

Personal Witnessing

Mission

Ad Gentes

A way of life

Pastoral responsibility and leadership

Availability to the missionary activity in the local and foreign areas

continuing education in the faith

Ecclesial communion with other members and cctive collaboration with the parish priest

Dynamism and creativity

Apostolic sensitivity

Willingness to receive canonical mandate or apostolic mission

IV-A. Formation Program / Instruction (Knowing)

Catechists-students should have attained beforehand a certain level of education, at least they have completed secondary education. However, standards for admission should be above average, as candidates should be able to follow a coursed of "higher religious education."

Catechists-students should dedicate themselves to their studies so as to become lamps to light the way of their brothers and sisters.

The biblico-theological formation of the catechist

In spite of the diversity of subjects, the biblico-theological formation of the catechists-students should be global and not compartmentalized, such that they do "not only communicate the Gospel accurate," but also "make those being taught capable of receiving it actively and of discerning what in their spiritual journey agrees with the faith."

"Biblico-theological" should be reworded as "formation and understanding of scriptures

1. The catechists-students have a comprehensive awareness of the Christian message, with its various elements

1.1. structured around the central mystery of faith, Jesus Christ, and

1.2. in harmony with each other by means of an organic vision that respects the "hierarchy of truths".

comprehensive awareness should be reworded as "making sense and relevance to their lives"

Christ-centered, rooted in the Sacred Scriptures

Articulate the basic dimensions of faith - doctrine, morals, and worship, instead of "hierarchy of truths"

Include the use of Scriptures creatively

2. The catechists-students possess an overall vision of faith that brings unity and harmony

2.1. to the knowledge acquired,

2.2. to the their personalities and

2.3. to their apostolic service as catechists.

For simplification of 2.1 include the practical understanding of knowledge of faith (knowing, doing, interiorizing)

Why should personalities  be included under the biblico-theological formation? It seems out of place.

Instead, include to their actual growth and practice of faith

3. The catechists-students develops a synthesis of faith that

3.1. helps them mature in their own faith and

3.2. enables them to 'give a reason for their hope' in view of the world and its grave and complex problems.

Emphasize on "practical" thinking faith

4. The catechists-students undergo a biblico-theological formation that

4.1. is close to human experience and

4.2. in some fashion adopts a catechetical style while remaining theological - (which will support sound theology)

Catechesis and theology should be presented as supporting each other.

IV-B. Formation Program / Instruction (Savoire-Faire)

Pedagogical Formation References

The pedagogical formation must be closely related to praxis: one must start with praxis to be able to arrive at praxis.

1. Through the pedagogical formation that seeks to mature their educational capacity, the catechists-students acquire:

1.1. an ability to be attentive to people,

1.2. an ability to interpret or respond to educational tasks or initiatives in organizing learning activities, and

1.3. the ability of leading a human group toward maturity.

Ability to process one's learning experience

Skills in facilitating / animating

Creativity

Readiness to change

Openness to feedback

2. The catechists-students acquire their own style of imparting catechesis by adapting the general principles of catechetical pedagogy to their own personality.

To be rephrased:

The student-catechists are able to adapt the general principles of catechetical methodology.

3. The catechists-students are the protagonists of their own learning by being creative in formation and not by just applying external rules.

To be rephrased:

The student-catechists are the protagonists of their own formation.

Need for  inculturation

1. Catechists-students are specifically prepared for inculturation,

with courses on the elements of cultural anthropology and on their own culture.

To be rephrased:

Student catechists are specifically prepared for inculturation

Appreciation of the Filipino culture and the respective sub cultures of each one

Activities are penetrated with Gospel values

2. Catechists-students show that their conviction that the gospel is

strong enough to penetrate any culture and enrich and strengthen it from within.

To be rephrased:

Student catechists live by the conviction that the Gospel penetrates culture, enriches it and strengthens it from within.

Human Development and Option for the Poor

1. The catechists-students

1.1. are close to the people,

1.2. help them to understand the realities of social life so as

- to try to improve it, and

- to speak out for the weak and defend their rights, when necessary;

1.3. act in union with the community, in a program drawn up

with the approval of the Bishop, when it is necessary to take practical initiatives in human development.

2. Catechists are prepared to pay attention also to particular groups in need: those

who are oppressed, persecuted or marginalized, the handicapped,

the unemployed, prisoners, refugees, drug addicts, those suffering from AIDS, etc.

Spirit of Ecumenism

1. The catechists-students are prepared to promote an ecumenical spirit in the community, beginning with the catechized.

2. The catechists-students show a deep desire for Christian unity.

Dialogue with Those of Other Religions

1. The catechists-students develop openness to inter-religious dialogue and are trained to take part in it.

2. The catechists-students manifest

2.1. a listening attitude to the Spirit,

2.2. accurate knowledge of the other religions practiced in their area,

2.2. a conviction that

salvation comes from Christ and

dialogue does not lead to religious relativism,

dialogue be continued, even when it seems difficult or misunderstood

2.3. and practical cooperation with non-Christian bodies in facing the great challenges to humanity.

Attention to the Spread of Sects

1. The catechists-students have a working knowledge of the different sects, their teachings, the points on which they particularly attack the Church.

2. The catechists-students can 

2.1. point out the inconsistencies of the sects and

2.2. forestall their encroachment by giving positive instruction and encouraging the Christian community to greater fervor, and

2.3. proclaim clearly the Christian message,

by giving personal attention to people and their problems,

helping them to clarify doubts and

being wary of the specious promises of the sects.

V. Community Involvement

The Catechetical Center works closely with other Christian bodies (the family, the parish and Christian community, youth associations, etc.)