A profile of the catechists of the Diocese of Parañaque: Implications and line of action for designing a formation program

Date of Publication

2008

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Religious Education

College

College of Liberal Arts

Department/Unit

Theology and Religious Education

Abstract/Summary

This study was conducted for the purpose of determining the profile and competency of the catechists in the diocese of Parañaque. The thesis began with the question: What are the expected qualities and competency of the catechists today in relation to the call and challenges of the Church for a renewed evangelization and catechesis? To address this particular concern, research was made along two parallel studies: Who is the ideal catechist as defined by the Church and who is the catechist in the real situation is. To be able to respond to it the researcher gathered materials from the Church documents and writings of experts in the field of catechesis and evangelization, as well as in education. This is the content of chapter 1 which is the review of related literature. The problem statement, significance of the study, scope and limitations, and definition of concepts were also part of this chapter. Chapter II explains the methodology of the study. The descriptive-survey method of research was utilized. A survey was conducted among the full time catechists through a researcher made questionnaire in four sets: the knowledge content test questionnaire, personal and educational profile questionnaire, classroom observation guide instrument, focused group discussion guide questionnaire. The knowledge content test and the classroom observation instrument used in the study were no longer content validated and tested for reliability since it has already been validated by two experts in Catechetics, tested and administered among graduate students in the Institute of Catechetics and Youth Ministry, at Don Bosco Center of Studies whose characteristics are basically the same as the full time catechists in the diocese of Parañaque. These questionnaires served as instrument for collecting the empirical data of the study. iii Chapter III focuses on the significant findings of the study. The data revealed that the gender profile of the catechists are mostly women. The greatest number of catechists are between the age of 40 to 44, majority are married and only one (1) religious catechist. The professional background of the catechists is not satisfactory considering the fact that they are not directly related to Catechesis/Religious Education. For them to be accepted in the ministry, they are required only to undergo six (6) to two (2) years basic catechetical formation. Almost all respondents are presently occupying tenure of five to nine years in the ministry. Regarding knowledge content competency forty nine percent of the catechists were classified not competent. Finally, the data revealed that more than one half of the respondents were not competent in terms of their knowledge of the subject matter, methodology, communication skills, and classroom observation. However, the greatest number of respondents were rated competent in the area of human relations with an average mean of 56.8 % and teaching personality traits with an average mean of 78.4 %. When the six teaching components average mean were computed, the result is 3.1, which mean the catechists were classified competent in their over-all performance in the classroom but on the lowest level. Chapter IV contains the summary of its findings with its conclusion and recommendations. This study showed that the catechetical ministry in the diocese of Parañaque is female dominated, majority are marrie and only one (1) religious catechist. They were doing well in their task and mission as catechists regardless of age, gender, civil status, educational background, and number of years in the ministry; however the survey also revealed the need for some improvement and updating, especially in the area of their knowledge of the content of faith in terms of Doctrine, Morals, and Worship, and iv methodology, communication skills and classroom management as it is still far from the ideal. From the reality presented by the survey and from the norms and criteria provided by the Church documents as to the qualities and competency of the catechists needed today, the study proposes line of actions and implications for updating the formation program of the diocese of Parañaque. The following recommendations are forwarded: 1. There is an urgent need for the catechists in the diocese of Parañaque to study Church doctrine, Church documents and other Church teachings needed in their capacity as evangelizers and echoes of the Church. 2. There is an urgent need to provide and develop formation program that gives a sharper focus on the content of faith as identified in this study. An integrated and holistic understanding of the content of faith and how to bring about their process of interiorizing the Christian truths in their personal life. Study of Sacred Scripture will always be the core of the formation as well as the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) and the Catechism of the Filipino Catholics (CFC). An in-depth awareness of the pastoral issues and problems of the day, the pastoral project of the Church, the conditions and the needs of the people, and the socio-cultural context in which actual catechesis takes place. Must undergo a systematic and comprehensive program for media education and media awareness. v 3. There is a greater need to give more focus on the professional growth of the Catechists. This could be done by: Training catechists how to concretize and actualized the different levels of integration proposed by the new national catechetical directory. Constant assessment of their present needs. Training catechists how to shift from the cognitive level of education to the personal and experiential level. Exposing catechists in the field of social analysis, psychology, principles and methods of teaching. Helping catechist develop the ability to interpret and respond to educational task and to initiate and organize creative learning activities. Helping catechist develop an aptitude and ability to communicate the Word of God in an intelligible manner. Helping catechists to seriously consider the digital and media negotiated experiences that have formed the leaning styles of new learners. 4) Most importantly, it is recommended that catechists in the diocese of Parañaque should not rely only on banking knowledge on the students but must be competent in terms of their ability to journey, to be a companion to the young people, because a catechist is someone whose primary concern is with people, accompanying them in their journey of faith.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Accession Number

CDTG004447

Shelf Location

Archives, The Learning Commons, 12F Henry Sy Sr. Hall

Physical Description

1 computer optical disc ; 4 3/4 in.

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