r its content.
Handbook for Adult Faith Formation and Ministry Endorsement
Diocese of Tyler
Office of Religious Education
1015 ESE Loop 323
Tyler, Texas 75701
903-534-1077
Revised - August, 2006
also available on website at
www.dioceseoftyler.org
Handbook for
Adult Faith Formation
and
Ministry Endorsement 2
Table of Contents
Preface----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifelong Individual Faith Enrichment (LIFE) Program - Levels----------------------------
Catechist Endorsement Levels------------------------------------------------------------------
Options for Study--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Audio-Visual Format---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guidelines for using Videos for Credits for LIFE or Catechetics
Form A for Video Assessments
Form A for Video Assessments
Credit for Previous Work----------------------------------------------------------------------

Candidates with Academic Theology Degrees
Certificates from Other Dioceses
Candidates with Previous Workshop/Courses
Appendices--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix 1 - Application for Endorsement / Application for LIFE
Appendix 2 - Checklist for Credits
Appendix 3 - List of LIFE Courses
Appendix 4 - TCCED Requirements
Appendix 5 - Guidelines for Vacation Bible School Personnel 3
Preface
The Church was founded to spread the kingdom of Christ over all the earth for the glory
of God the Father, to make all people partakers in redemption and salvation. The laity
participate in the churchs mission by living faith and being educated in the faith.
Vatican II, Apostolicam Actuositatem.
Adult catechesis must systematically propose the Christian faith in its entirety and in its
authenticity, in accordance with the Churchs understanding. Adults must assume
responsibility for the Churchs mission and to be able to give Christian witness in
society.
GDC, 175, 1997.
By systematic we mean a catechesis that nurtures a profound,
lifelong conversion of the whole person and sets forth a comprehensive, contemporary
synthesis of the faith as presented in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Our Hearts
Were Burning Within Us, 1999
In an effort to respond to the call of the Spirit in Sacred Scripture and the Church through
these documents the Office of Religious Education is committed to providing educational
opportunities for growing in the Catholic faith for all adults in the Diocese of Tyler. This
handbook will provide an explanation of programming currently available and
recommended resources to further individual faith development.
The Lifelong Individual Faith Enrichment (LIFE) Program is a systematic study of
courses offered in theology and scripture presented in four levels. The goal of the LIFE
program is to give adults a solid foundation upon which they can independently continue
the growth in their faith for the rest of their lives. All formation efforts should be focused
on the curriculum path of the LIFE program. (See pages 4-5)
The Catechist Endorsement process for ministry explained in this handbook also
provides an opportunity to share with others the growth in theology and scripture. The
Catechist is given tools to faithfully echo, on behalf of their parish community, the faith
which they have received. (See pages 6-11)
The Professional Ministry Program (PMP) is a series of college level theology, scripture,
and catechetic courses taught in a semester format for those interested in a more
challenging study of faith and doctrine.
Finally, audio - visual resources are available at the Office of Religious Education in the
resource library for independent study as well as information regarding distance learning
both on the internet and through college partnerships.
Additional information is available on the diocesan website.
www.dioceseoftyler.org 4
Lifelong Individual Faith Enrichment (LIFE)
The Lifelong Individual Faith Enrichment (LIFE) Program is a systematic
study of courses offered in theology and scripture presented in four
levels. A certificate is awarded upon the completion of each level. In
addition to particular courses offered by the diocese, parish classes may
be offered that meet similar syllabus requirements. See Areas of Study -
Theology and Scripture for other possible topics. (See page 5)
1.Foundation LIFE Level: 12 credit hours (general overview of basic Catholic doctrine)
Courses such as: "Basic Elements of the Christian Message Course." This course
includes 2-hour sessions on the following topics: Revelation, Trinity, Church,
Sacraments, Mary/Saints, and Grace/Moral Life. This series is designed for adults
just beginning to learn about their faith. This course is also fruitful for adults
beginning the mystagogia period following Christian Initiation.

2. Basic LIFE Level: 30 credit hours (15 Theology/15 Scripture)
Courses in Scripture, Church, and Sacraments are designed to provide a deeper
understanding of doctrine. At this level, the class syllabus includes introduction to
reading and comprehending church documents (e.g. Vatican II, Catechism of
Catholic Church, and Scripture), scripture exegesis, and systematic presentation of
the faith. The sessions at this level typically require some outside reading.
3. Intermediate LIFE Level: 30 credit hours (15 Theology/15 Scripture)
Diocesan Courses such as: Christology, Mary in the New Testament, Morality
and the Formation of Conscience, Prayer, the Spiritual Life and the
Relationship to Eucharist. The syllabus includes exposure to papal writings or
church documents. Courses at this level require some independent reading and
either oral presentations or short written reflection papers.
4. Advanced LIFE Level: 40 hours of adult study of Catholic doctrine. Classes should
enable the participant to continue progression of growth in ones personal adult
faith enrichment at this level through exposure to secondary sources or in depth
reading of papal documents
.
Some advanced theology classes have been
videotaped with handouts, and homework. 5
Areas of Study - Theology and Scripture
These are areas for suggestions. The list is not meant to be exhaustive.
Theology:
Sacraments - Sign/Symbol
Ministry
Prayer
Sacraments of Initiation
Traditions
Current Pastoral Letters
Evangelization
Basic Doctrine
Christian Initiation
Sacraments of Healing
Liturgy
Sexuality
Sacraments of Vocation
Documents of Vatican II
Church/Ecclesiology
Church
Social Teachings
History of Church
Faith
Christology
Revelation and Faith
Grace/Sin
World Religions
Justice and Peace
Mariology
The Creed
Morality/Conscience
Catechism of the
Catholic Church
Scripture:
Literary Forms/Authorship
Gospel of John
Prophets
Christian Scripture

Wisdom Literature
Acts
Hebrew Scripture

Psalms
Parables
The Letters of St. Paul
The Synoptic Gospels
Pastoral
Letters

Book of Revelation

Parables
Scriptural Themes 6
Catechist Endorsement Levels
Every person engaged in handing on the faith in any parish program
(e.g. CCD, Christian Initiation, religious formation, sacramental
preparation, small group studies, etc). should be endorsed. The
Beginning Endorsement is intended to provide the minimum training
for anyone to catechize in a parish program without supervision.
*** Catechist Endorsement Awards are issued upon completion of a particular level and
requested through the Office of Faith Formation.***
Beginning Catechist Endorsement:
l. Completion of 12 hours of the Foundation LIFE Level

( i.e. LIFE course - Basic Elements of the Christian Message Course, attendance for
one year in catechetical sessions for Christian Initiation, DeSales Study -6 hours on
Scripture, 6 hours Theology. These are a few examples. Others may be submitted.)
2. Catechetics: 12 hours (effective January, 2004)
a. E1 - Echoes of Faith: Getting Started as a Catechist (2 hours)
b. E2 - Echoes of Faith: Role of the Catechist (2 hours)
c. E3 - Echoes of Faith: Person of the Catechist (2 hours)
d. E4 - Echoes of Faith Module - Introduction to the Learner - (4 hours)
e. E5 - Echoes of Faith Methods: (2 hours depending on the grade level or another
catechetic workshop.)
* Professional Teaching Certificate will replace the credits for the 12 hours of
Catechetics for this level. Echoes may be viewed for the Basic Catechetic Level. A
copy of the teaching certificate is to be sent to the Office of Faith Formation.
3.
Training on the Guidelines for the Ethics and Integrity for Church Personnel,
signed Code of Ethics, and submitted Criminal Background Check Release
to Business Office.
( ACS - applicant is approved on website)
4. Curriculum Guide Training for Ages 4-18 or Christian Initiation Curriculum. (CG - 3
hours)
5. Personal faith experience: retreat, cursillo, prayer group marriage encounter, renew
experience, day of recollection.
6. One year of religious education teaching experience (This may coincide with study
time.)
7. Endorsement requirement at this level should be completed within one year period. The
endorsement is valid for a period of 3 years at which time the next level should be done. 7
Basic Catechist Endorsement:
1. Completion of the Beginning Catechist Endorsement.
2.Completion of the Basic LIFE Level
6 hours Sacraments
6