Catechist Classes Fall 2026

• BILINGUAL CLASSES:  The classes held at St. Bartholomew will be bilingual classes.  Our presenters are English speakers, and a translator will be present for Spanish speaking catechists.  All catechists are invited to attend both English and Spanish speaking.

Advent Retreat: Winter Roses: A Day with Our Lady of Guadalupe 

Date:                           Saturday, December 12, 2026

Time:                           9:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.

Location:                     St. James, 1818 Edenside Dr., Lou. 40204, Goetz Center

Presenter:                   Jane Cruthirds, Spirit and Grace Consulting

Cost:                            $30.00 (check payable to ALMI). Lunch is included. 

Please indicate any dietary restrictions when you register.

Registration Deadline is Dec. 1st.

Registration:                Preregistration is required. Contact Lynn McDaniel at lmcdaniel@archlou.org or (502) 636-0296, ext.1267.   

Catechist Credit:         5 hours apply toward Spiritual Formation

All are invited to prepare their hearts to adore the Christ-child during this day of prayer with our blessed mother. Travel to Tepeyac Hill with Juan Diego to receive winter roses and the Advent graces of hope, peace, joy, and love from our Mother’s tilma. Take the day to slow down, warm your heart, and prepare the way for Jesus.

Catechist Mentoring Experience

Date:                           Ongoing; This process may be started at any time, once the mentor has been approved.

Registration:                Contact Lynn McDaniel at lmcdaniel@archlou.org or (502) 636-0296, ext.1267.

Catechist Credit:         At completion, 15 hours apply toward Catechetics in the Mentoring Experience

Religious Education

Standards:                   Domain area is dependent on learning goals set by participant

Upon entering the Advanced Level, the catechist is required to select a mentor who has given witness to his/her faith in the context of effective catechetical ministry.  The mentor may be a principal, PCL, coordinator, or another active catechist, and must have obtained a Master Catechist Certificate from ALMI or other professional equivalencies. Catechists work with a mentor to set new learning goals and then work toward implementing the new goals in their ministry.  Contact Lynn McDaniel, lmcdaniel@archlou.org or (502) 636-0296, ext. 1267 to begin the Mentoring Experience. 

Faith Development

Date:                           Thursday, November 19, 2026

Time:                           3:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

Location:                     St. Stephen Martyr Activity Center, 2931 Pindell Ave., 40217, Weiker Room

Presenter:                   Mary Hynes, Retired Pastoral Associate and Parish Minister in the Archdiocese of Louisville

Cost:                            $10.00 (check payable to ALMI)

Registration:                Preregistration is required. Contact Lynn McDaniel at lmcdaniel@archlou.org or (502) 636-0296, ext.1267.   

Catechist Credit:         2.5 hours apply toward the Associate Level in the area of Faith Development or toward the area of Catechetics

Religious Education

Standards:                   Domain 1, Domain 4

This is a study of the developmental nature of faith and the diverse expressions of faith formed by tradition, culture, and life experience.

Gather Us In

Date:                           Saturday, November 14, 2026

Time:                           9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Location:                     Zoom, online (participants will be sent the Zoom link one week prior to class)

Presenter:                   Adam Zoeller, Theology Teacher and Department Chair, Sacred Heart Academy

Cost:                            $10.00 (check payable to ALMI)

Registration:                Preregistration is required. Contact Lynn McDaniel at lmcdaniel@archlou.org or (502) 636-0296, ext.1267.

Catechist Credit:         3 hours total: 1.5 hours apply toward Theology in the content area of Liturgy and 1.5 hours apply toward Catechetics

Religious Education Standards:                   Domain 2

This Zoom session will explore traditional and contemporary Catholic Hymns and provide an avenue to understand teachings of the Catechism.  Participants will analyze and annotate songs as well as share favorite songs during this session.

Images of God (Bilingual)

Date:                           Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Time:                           6:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.

Location:                     St. Bartholomew, 2040 Buechel Bank Rd, 40218, Barth Hall

Presenter:                   Bernie Schum, Theology Teacher, Trinity High School

Cost:                            $10.00 (check payable to ALMI)

Registration:                Preregistration is required. Contact Lynn McDaniel at lmcdaniel@archlou.org or (502) 636-0296, ext.1267.

Catechist Credit:         2.5 hours apply toward the Associate Level in the area of Images of God or toward Theology in the content area of Spirituality

Religious Education Standards:                   Domain 1, Domain 5, Domain 6

This class is an exploration into both the personal and communal images of God and how they impact our sense of community and ministry. Please bring your Bible to class

Introduction to Liturgy: The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy

Date:                           Thursday, October 15, 2026

Time:                           3:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.

Location:                     St. Stephen Martyr Activity Center, 2931 Pindell Ave., 40217, Weiker Room

Presenter:                   Barry Mudd, Associate Director for the Office of Worship, Archdiocese of Louisville

Cost:                            $10.00 (check payable to ALMI)

Registration:                Preregistration is required. Contact Lynn McDaniel at lmcdaniel@archlou.org or (502) 636-0296, ext.1267.

Catechist Credit:         3 hours apply toward Theology in the content area of Liturgy

Religious Education Standards:                   Domain 2

The first major document issued from the Second Vatican Council was the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy.  This foundational document called for the renewal and revision of all the rites and rituals of the church.  The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy guides the church in how we celebrate the public prayer of the church.  This session will discuss the constitution and explore how we celebrate the liturgy by looking at the key themes of the Multiple Presence’s of Christ; Full, Conscious, and Active Participation; Liturgy as Source and Summit; Ars Celebrandi; Importance of Scripture and many others.  By looking at the history and development of the liturgy we will see how the changes at Vatican II assist the laity and clergy alike to assume their proper roles in giving honor and glory to God through the liturgical celebration.

Before class, please read the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy and bring a copy with you.  This document can be found on the Vatican website.

Introduction to Spirituality (Bilingual)

Date:                           Tuesday, November 17, 2026

Time:                           6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Location:                    St. Bartholomew, 2040 Buechel Bank Rd, 40218, Barth Hall

Presenter:                  Jane Cruthirds, Spirit and Grace Consulting

Cost:                            $10.00 (check payable to ALMI)

Registration:                Preregistration is required. Contact Lynn McDaniel at lmcdaniel@archlou.org or (502) 636-0296, ext.1267.   

Catechist Credit:         2.5 hours apply toward Theology in the content area of Spirituality

Religious Education Standards:                   Domain 4, Domain 5, Domain 6

This is an appreciation of diverse expressions of both personal and communal spirituality and an exploration of the activities of the Spirit of the Church and in the world.

Major Themes of Scripture (Bilingual)

Date:                          Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Time:                          6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Location:                    St. Bartholomew, 2040 Buechel Bank Rd, 40218, Barth Hall

Presenter:                  Art Turner, Office of Faith Formation Director, Archdiocese of Louisville

Cost:                          $10 (check payable to ALMI)          

Registration:               Preregistration is required. Contact Lynn McDaniel at lmcdaniel@archlou.org or (502) 636-0296, ext.1267.

Catechist Credit:         3 hours applies toward Theology in the content Scripture

Religious Education Standards:                   Domain 1

This class is a survey of the primary themes of Scripture and how they are relevant to our lives today. Please bring your Bible to class.

Overview of Catechetical Ministry Part I

Date:                           Ongoing: This online class may be started at any time.

Location:                     Google Classroom

Cost:                            $10.00 (check payable to ALMI)

Registration:                Go to https://classroom.google.com/c/MzMyNDA2NzkyNDZa?cjc=tjvcoaj to begin the class.  Contact Lynn McDaniel at lmcdaniel@archlou.org if you have any questions about this class.

Catechist Credit:         2 hours apply toward the Associate Level in the area of Overview of Catechetical Ministry

Religious Education Standards:                   Domain 6  

This class is an introductory overview of catechesis which will provide participants with a general understanding of the purpose, goals, and methodology of the ministry of catechesis.  It will introduce documents on catechesis and provide catechists with ideas and resources to use in catechetical session planning.

Overview of Catechetical Ministry Part II

Date:                           Thursday, December 3, 2026

Time:                           3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Location:                     St. Stephen Martyr Activity Center, 2931 Pindell Ave., 40217, Weiker Room

Cost:                            $10 (check payable to ALMI)

Presenters:                  Debbie Minton, Director of Religious Formation, St. Athanasius and Angie Poole, Middle School Religion Teacher, St. Athanasius      

Registration:               Preregistration is required. Contact Lynn McDaniel at lmcdaniel@archlou.org or (502) 636-0296, ext.1267.

Catechist Credit:         3 hours apply toward Associate Level in the area of Overview of Catechetical Ministry

Religious Education Standards:                   Domain 6 

This course will focus on the catechetical process in passing on the faith, introduce some of the distinguishing characteristics of the Catholic Church, review the process of Catechist Formation, and introduce practical resources from the Office of Faith Formation.

Praying Through Mary in Advent

Date:                           Saturday, November 21, 2026

Time:                           9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Location:                     Zoom, online (participants will be sent the Zoom link one week prior to class)

Presenter:                   Adam Zoeller, Theology Teacher and Department Chair, Sacred Heart Academy

Cost:                            $10.00 (check payable to ALMI)

Registration:                Preregistration is required. Contact Lynn McDaniel at lmcdaniel@archlou.org or (502) 636-0296, ext.1267.

Catechist Credit:         3 hours total: 1.5 apply toward Theology in the content area of Scripture and 1.5 hours apply toward Spiritual Formation

Religious Education Standards:                   Domain 1, Domain 3

This Zoom session will look at stories of the Blessed Mother through scripture and tradition in preparation of the season of Advent.  Participants will pray and reflect upon the role of Mary in light of Church history. .  

Shared Christian Praxis

Date:                          Saturday, September 19, 2026

Time:                          9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Location:                    ZOOM, online (participants will be sent the Zoom link one week prior to class)

Presenter:                  Dr. Emily Jendzejec, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Studies, Loyola

University New Orleans

Cost:                          $10 (check payable to ALMI)          

Registration:               Preregistration is required. Contact Lynn McDaniel at lmcdaniel@archlou.org or (502) 636-0296, ext.1267.

Catechist Credit:         3 hours applies toward Catechetics

Religious Education Standards:                   Domain 4, Domain 5, Domain 6

This session will introduce participants to Thomas Groome’s method of Shared Christian Praxis. Groome is a world-renowned theologian regarded as a leading authority on Catholic religious education.  His method of religious education begins with reflecting on daily life through the lens of faith, and living out that faith in everyday actions.  Emily Jendzejec will engage participants in the “Life to Faith to Life” process, and will provide them an opportunity to reflect on ways they can incorporate Shared Christian Praxis into their ministry settings. 

The Writings of Tolkien and Lewis in the Classroom

Date:                           Saturday, November 7, 2026

Time:                           9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Location:                     Zoom, online (participants will be sent the Zoom link one week prior to class)

Presenter:                   Adam Zoeller, Theology Teacher and Department Chair, Sacred Heart Academy

Cost:                            $10.00 (check payable to ALMI)

Registration:                Preregistration is required. Contact Lynn McDaniel at lmcdaniel@archlou.org or (502) 636-0296, ext.1267.

Catechist Credit:         3 hours apply toward Catechetics/Method

Religious Education Standards:                   Domain 1, Domain 2, Domain 3

This Zoom session will explore the theology behind the writings of JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis.  Participants will learn how to incorporate Christian authors into their religion and/or English curriculum.  

DOMAIN KEY:

Domain 1: Scripture

Domain 2: Sacraments/Liturgy

Domain 3: Prayer

Domain 4: Morality

Domain 5: Community (Parish/Church/World)

Domain 6: Missionary (What to Do/Action)

Released 8/18/26