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Photo by Michael Alexander, The Georgia Bulletin |
Resources
- Divine Revelation (Scripture, Tradition, & Magisterium)
- The 16 Documents of the Vatican II Council
- Code of Canon Law (1983)
- Roman Missal (2nd Ed. 1985) with GIRM (3rd Ed. 2003 – English)
- Catechism of the Catholic Church (LEV/USCCB 2nd Ed. 2000)
- United States Catholic Catechism for Adults (USCCB 2006)
- General Directory for Catechesis (USCCB 1997)
- National Directory for Catechesis (USCCB 2005)
- Compendium of Catechism of the Catholic Church (LEV/USCCB 2006)
- Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (USCCB 1988)
- Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Ecclesia in America (John Paul II 1999)
- Apostolic Constitutions, Exhortations, Encyclicals & Letters
- Publications of Roman Curia Congregations & Pontifical Commissions/Councils
The ORE also takes guidance from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ documents, particularly the following:
- Go and Make Disciples (Evangelization)
- Our Hearts were Burning (Adults)
- Sons and Daughters of the Light (Young Adults)
- Renewing the Vision (Youth)
- Putting Children and Families First & Charter for Protection of Children and Youth (Children)
- Welcome the Stranger among Us:
- Unity in Diversity (Multicultural)
ORE provides direct and indirect assistance and is organized along the functional lines of catechist formation, sacramental formation, religious education, programs & events. ORE has met what the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has called “the challenge to get beyond ethnic communities living side-by-side within our parishes without any connection with each other.” Welcoming the Stranger among Us: Unity in Diversity (2000).
Catechist formation is accomplished pursuant to the Archdiocesan guidelines approved by the Archbishop and published in English and Spanish in the document, Communicating the Catholic Message (September 2001). Basic Catechist Certification (BCC), under CCM, can be taught by any of the following when commissioned to do so by the pastor: any ordained cleric, religious or consecrated person, as well as by ORE staff and lay persons who have been certified by the ORE as Master Catechists or prepared through the “train-the-trainer” process. BCC is taught in English, in Spanish, and to mixed English and Spanish audiences. In 2006, new BCC handouts and teacher guides were prepared in English and Spanish but never finalized. Either set of topics--those published in CCM or those of the 2006 handouts--will be accepted toward the requirements for basic certification. CCM was amended in January 2003 to create the ORE-taught program Advanced Catechist Training (ACT). ACT permits completion of intermediate and advanced catechist certification in one year through 18 classes, held on Saturdays from January through December (with a summer break). The ORE is currently undertaking a thorough review of CCM and its amendments. Until new guidelines are announced, CCM and its amendments are still in force.
Sacramental formation is accomplished pursuant to the Archdiocesan guidelines approved by the Archbishop and published in English and Spanish in the document Archdiocesan Guidelines for the Sacraments of Initiation and the Sacrament of Penance (Revised February 2002). While Catholic schools, parishes and home school parents may prepare 2nd grade children for the reception of First Penance and First Communion, only the parish may prepare 10th grade youth for the reception of Confirmation. Parish Confirmation preparation occurs in a free-standing, short duration, intensely focused program, independent of on-going religious education provided by Catholic schools, parishes and home school parents. Absent approval of the Archbishop for good cause shown, First Communion and Confirmation reception occurs in the parish in which the parents of the child or youth are registered (not in a parish adjacent to the Catholic school in which a child or youth may be enrolled).
ORE religious education, programs and events are organized along age-appropriate lines: children (grades K-5) middle school (grades 6-8), youth (grades 9-12), college-age young adults (ages 18 – 21) & post-graduate young adults (ages 22 – 40), and adults (age 40+), with graduation from high school as the functional demarcation point. ORE sponsors regular programs for youth and for young adults and periodic programs for adults. ORE also plays a leadership role in the annual Archdiocesan Eucharistic Congress, World Youth Day, Catholic Youth Day at Six Flags, the National Catholic Youth Conference, and other Special Projects for the Archbishop.