Hello catechists and aides!
We have an exciting year planned for 2025-2026! Below you will find general information, our schedule, calendar, and other upcoming dates for fellowship and formation. Our Patroness once said, “Act and God will act, work and He will work” – your generous act of aiding our families in the faith formation of their children and your loving work for our parish ministry are essential to bringing Christ to others, and we are so very grateful!
**Our main page can be found here. This is where we post general information and updates. We also communicate via Flocknotes, our email/text platform.
Teaching Schedules and Text Resources can be found here.
Calendar for 2025-2026: Please click here.
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures for Students 2025-2026: Please click here
Family Handbook for 2025-2026: Please click here
Handbook Highlights, i.e., Policies and Procedures: Please click here
Supplies Order Form: Please click here **This is for anything you need outside of the standard supplies that we have in the office, i.e. crayons, scissors, etc.
CATChats (short webinars for catechists): Click here for additional info!
Catechist Certification Classes:
Catechist certification consists of a methodology course called ‘The Art of Catechesis,’ and a theology course, either through Notre Dame or Franciscan University. Our Diocese asks that all catechists pursue certification; aides are invited and welcomed to do so too! The courses that lead to certification benefit catechists by helping them to grow in their knowledge of the faith and in their own spiritual life, both of which enhance their ministry as catechists. You can read more about catechist certification opportunities this year at this link.
New opportunity for Theology Component! Please click here to read about an opportunity to take the theology component of catechist certification in an online, small groups format, beginning November 6.
Art of Catechesis at St. Joan of Arc: This course will be offered as a full-day intensive workshop in early 2026; scheduling details will be sent to catechists and aides before the end of 2025.
Safe Environment:
The Diocese of Trenton requires that all staff and volunteers (18 and over) working with children attend a Virtus workshop on the subject of child protection and are fingerprinted; both must be done every four years. All individuals 18 and older who work with youth in our Diocese are required to attend Virtus training and go through background check. Please click here for information and registration links.
*Virtus may be complet ed online or in person. Information regarding the online option can be found at the link above. For the in-person Virtus schedule for 2025-2026, please click here.
Diocesan Formation Day for Catechists and Aides – March 7, 2026: Please click here for information!
Appreciation Dinner for All in Catechetical Ministry: This dinner is our end-of-the-year thank you to our wonderful catechists, aides, and hall monitors! Our date for this year is May 16th – be sure to mark your calendar!
Helpful Resources:
Here are some links to good catechist resources:
Parish Catechist Page on the Diocesan Website – Information on catechist formation, resources and events can be found here.
Our Sunday Visitor, ‘Alive in Christ’ Site – This site offers catechist resources related to the text, as well as online catechist formation/education. *To create your own login on the site, you will just need your catechist manual. If you would like the universal login, please email Jessica.
Decision Point – This is the site for our text for 7th and 8th grades; it includes the web site and PDF versions of the books
Catholic Icing – A LOT of craft and project ideas, plus printables
Catholic Toolbox – Printables for almost every Catholic topic
Look to Him and Be Radiant – Another great site, a lot of really great free content