PATHWAYS for Catechist Formation 2009 FAQs

What’s New?
What is PATHWAYS 2009? The revised Pathways for Catechist Formation is called Pathways 2009 and is a one-day, instructor-led, interactive program of prayer, learning and reflection for all parish catechists of adults, youth and children AND Catholic school religion teachers.
What is the content of Pathways 2009? The diocesan curriculum developed for Pathways 2009 includes the following:  Session One: The Vocation of the Catechist, Creed, and Scripture
Session Two: Methodology for catechists of adults, youth or children
What’s Required? What is expected of participants at these training days? No writing is required. All curriculum materials are provided for continued study and reflection at home.
Who is expected to participate? All parish catechists of adults, youth or children are required to participate in a Pathways 2009 training day scheduled between August 2009 – Fall 2010.
What are the requirements for parish catechists participating in PATHWAYS? Parish catechists must be registered members of a parish, fully-initiated Catholics in good standing, with VIRTUS training and background checks completed.
What if I went through the Pathways 2004 and was certified? Do I still need to participate in Pathways 2009? Certified Pathways 2004 catechists need only complete Session One of the Pathways 2009 training day, which includes Vocation, Creed, and Scripture. Participation in Session Two (Methodology) is optional.
Is Pathways 2004 still available? Pathways 2004 is still available and will continue as a training option through June 30, 2010.
What if I have already started Pathways 2004 and am not quite finished…should I continue? Parish catechists may choose to continue their study of Pathways 2004, as long as it remains available. All Pathways 2004 program elements remain the same, including the written Response Form and Reader assignment and evaluation. Catechists completing Pathways 2004 will still be asked to complete the Session One of Pathways 2009.
After I complete a Pathways 2009 training day, am I certified? At the conclusion of the entire day parish catechists are certified in accordance with Called to Be Disciples. Catechetical Leaders will receive a diocesan certificate for each catechist completing a Pathways 2009 training day. Ongoing learning each year maintains certification.
After I complete Pathways 2009, is anything more required? Annually, each catechist must complete at least one learning module of 3 hours to maintain certification. Multiple, flexible options will be provided.
What’s the Schedule of Pathways 2009? Where and when are the Pathways 2009 training days scheduled? Sessions are scheduled several times a year throughout the diocese.   The complete schedule of dates and sites is posted on the Christian Formation website - www.richmonddiocese.org/ocf.  Local  sessions this spring are May 1st and June 12th at the Diocesan Pastoral Center.  The same session content is presented in each location.
What time is the training day?
8:30am – 9:00am Hospitality, check in
9:00am – 12:30pm Session One
12:30pm – 1:00pm Lunch
1:00pm – 4:30pm Session Two & evaluation 
How do I register? Registration is online at http://tinyurl.com/cdrpathways . If you do not have access to the internet or email, you may ask your catechetical leader to register you online.
Will I get a registration confirmation? If you register online, you will receive an immediate reply email confirming your registration. If your catechetical leader registers you, she/he will receive your confirmation email. Please contact her/him to receive this important information.
What about deadlines for registration? Registrations must be entered by Wednesday of the same week Pathways is scheduled.
What about cancellations? Cancellations must be entered by noon on Wednesday of the same week Pathways is scheduled. Contact Sandra Survello, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 804-622-5114. Please include your first and last name, date of the Pathways event and your home address. Your cancellation will be confirmed via email within 24 hours. If you do not receive a cancellation confirmation email, please contact Sandra again. Please be mindful of your parish as registrations that are not cancelled by Wednesday will be billed to the parish.
What about substitutions? Substitutions must be entered by noon on Wednesday of the same week Pathways is scheduled by contacting Sandra Survello, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 804-622-5114. Your substitution will be confirmed by Sandra via email. Your substitute will need to register using the online registration system. Walk-in substitutions will NOT be accepted on the day of the event. Substitutes must register online.
What’s the cost?
Parish Catechists - $20/catechist (Session One & Two)
Parish Catechists certified through Pathways 2004 - $15/catechist (Session One and lunch) 
Parishes are asked to help support their catechist’s participation in the training day program with funding.  Parishes will be sent a monthly invoice for the number of catechists registered for Pathways 2009.  All fees are due to the diocese no later than April 30, 2010.
For more information:
Parishes – contact Katie McMaster, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it