Catechist Training and Resources

Each year the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service hold a training and resources day, open to all First Holy Communion and Confirmation Catechists, as well as those who look after the Children’s Liturgy and any other groups for young people in the Diocese of Brentwood. It is an opportunity to hear about fresh resources, as well as receiving input to assist you in your First Holy Communion and Confirmation programmes.

We also extend a particular welcome to any young catechists or young people parishes (16+) who may be interested in working as or with catechists, and wish to develop their faith further post-confirmation.

Next Catechists day will be held in the Summer Term.

In the meantime, please find the resources from our 2022 training day below and do feel free to email [email protected] if there is anything more we can do to help you.

Million Minutes

Thank you to the groups that joined us for our workshop on ‘Accompaniment in Practice’. It was a wonderful afternoon of sharing experiences and insights on how we can journey with the young people and their families in our communities. We would like to extend our invitation of accompaniment to all catechists that attended the day. We can offer resources, training and networking to enhance your parish ministry. To get a sense of what we can offer, have a look at our website: www.millionminutes.org or email us on [email protected] to have a conversation about how we can help you.

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Catholic Voices

Catholic Voices is a project which began in the UK to improve the Church’s representation in the media, training speakers and appearing on news programs and debates. Do you want to know more about “How to defend the Faith without Raising your Voice”? You can download Catholic Voice’s presentation here

You can also contact Catholic Voices and find out more about them on their website www.catholicvoices.org.uk

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St Vincent De Paul Society

Young Vincentians takes the SVP ethos into schools, colleges and parishes, inspiring young people to give their time to volunteer and sow the seeds for a lifetime of service. With more than 600 groups in England and Wales, Young Vincentians are the youngest members of the St Vincent de Paul Society who turn their concern into action!

Find out how you and your children can connect to the work of the society in supporting those struggling in our local communities at www.svp.org.uk/involve-young-people

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Art Wangcharoensab

Art has spent years with the Music Department at Brentwood Cathedral, working in schools, with choirs, animating our regular Youth Masses and Lourdes Masses, as well as composing his own Nativity, psalms and songs! He is an enthusiastic and lively leader who, now into his teacher training, inspires people of all ages, bringing joy and worship through his music and will share some ideas to help you do the same. Find out more about the Brentwood Cathedral Music Department.

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Laudato Si’

Mary and Peter Johnson, from St Teresa of Lisieux parish in Lexden, share how their training to be Laudato Si animators has inspired them to support their parish in responding to Pope Francis’ plea for us to listen to the ‘cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor’, including how the encyclical links to Catholic social teaching, what they have achieved so far, and show how children can begin to respond to its message either through children’s liturgy or when preparing to receive the sacraments of reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation.

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CAFOD

CAFOD is an international development charity and the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Together with local experts in over 35 counties, CAFOD supports work in areas of humanitarian relief, climate change, disaster management, governance, livelihoods and peace building. CAFOD works alongside Catholic parishes and schools to support our sisters and brothers in need across the world. As part of a well-established education programme fully trained schools’ volunteers offer workshops and assemblies to schools in the diocese on behalf of CAFOD.

CAFOD’s resources include workshops, prayers and presentations which can be used in a range of groups for children and young people including confirmation, first holy communion / reconciliation and children’s liturgy settings, some of which can be found on their website www.cafod.org.uk/Education/Education-resources#here

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Session for Young Catechists

For those aged 16+, having made Confirmation and looking to develop faith and involvement in Parish life, Walsingham House Manager Joe Beattie lead a workshop dedicated just to you to help you grow your skills and confidence.

Want to learn more about leadership as a young person in the Catholic Church? You can volunteer at Walsingham House during the year or come along to any open retreats. Simply email [email protected] for more information.

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The Bishops Certificate in Catechesis

The Bishop’s Certificate is designed to be an entry level qualification to help in the ongoing formation of adults involved in sacramental preparation or youth ministry in the Diocese of Brentwood. It includes both the development of practical skills & the deepening of theological knowledge. You can find out about the course on our website by clicking here