FAQ

OFC conducts courses, through out the year, to help equip catechists with sufficient basic knowledge and methodology (pedagogy) on how to catechise, as well as, to use OFC's curriculum effectively.

Our recommendation is to complete the Foundational Course in Catechesis (FCC) and Basic Course in Catechesis (BCC). The timeframe to complete the Foundational / Basic Course in Catechesis (FCC / BCC) is 3 years, from the start of the first course module.

In the meantime, we suggest contacting your Parish Catechetical Coordinator for a chat to find out more about being a Catechist. You may consider downloading this application form for submission, however, please check if your parish has its own version of the application form. A copy of the application form can be found in DOWNLOADS

All those involved in the work of catechesis are role models of Catholic teachings and values. They are expected:

• to be a practicing Catholic in communion with the Catholic Church who participates fully in the communal worship and life of the Church;

• to present a prayerful, positive, Catholic role model for young people, families, and others;

• to teach Catholic Church teachings; the Catechetical Session is not a forum for personal beliefs not in conformity with these teachings;

• to complete diocesan requirements for those in catechetical ministry;

• to comply with the policies for general conduct with children and youth defined in the document Keeping Communion(available upon request from Catechetical coordinators);

• to comply with the Code of Conduct for Teachers of the Faith (Archdiocese of Singapore);

• to continue his/her own faith formation through participation at workshops, courses, retreats, bible studies or other avenues;

• to follow the curriculum set by the parish and to prepare sessions, organise activities, and seek assistance as needed toward that aim;

• to work as a team with the Catechetical Coordinator, co-catechists, other members of the catechetical team, the pastoral staff, clergy and parents and to recognise that parents are the primary catechists of their children;

• to be able to relate well with others, especially children, youth, and their parents;

• to make a good faith commitment to know and follow the OFC Guidelines for Catechetical Ministries;

• to make a good faith commitment to have excellent attendance with an earnest effort at securing a substitute and timely notification of co-catechist and Catechetical Coordinator when an absence is necessary;

• to understand his/her obligation and responsibility to protect children and youth and agree to report known or suspected abuse of children or youth to appropriate Church leaders and state authorities in accordance with the Procedures outlined in the Keeping Communion and Policy and Procedure for Handling Sexual Abuse of Minors by the Clergy documents;

• to never underestimate the power of prayer!

The ​FCC is considered as an essential course that every catechist should attend. It provides sufficient fundamental knowledge, as well as, methodology on how to catechise and use OFC's curriculum effectively.

The FCC consist of the following modules -

1. FCC - Introduction to Catechetical Pedagogy & Catechetical Methods

2. FCC - Learning to Listen and Facilitate

3. FCC - Five Strategies For Living Out Virtues™

Completing the FCC will give access to OFC's curriculum, which can be found on the Catechetical Exchange. A certificate of completion will be presented to you at when you complete the FCC within a stipulated timeframe of 3 years with 100% attendance.

​The ​BCC equips catechists with basic knowledge of the Bible, Liturgy and the Catechism to be able to engage candidates during catechetical sessions.

The BCC consist of the following modules -

1. Liturgy: The Mass

2. Scripture

3. Evangelisation and Mission Workshop

4. Introduction to Morality (a prequisite for **)

5. Human Sexuality **

6. Catholic Social Teachings **

7. In addition, catechists are required to attend the Archdiocesan Catechist Retreat organized by OFC or at least one of the following retreats

• Conversion Experience Retreat OR Youth Conversion Experience Retreat by Catholic Spirituality Centre

• The First Spiritual Exercises Retreat by Kingsmead Centre.

• Watchmen Retreat OR Labourers in the Vineyard Retreat by Office for the New Evangelisation

• Life in the Spirit Seminar - Please refer to SACCRE for more details

​

To complete the retreat fulfillment requirement for the completion of the Basic Course in Catechesis (BCC), please submit details of your retreat fill up this form.

A certificate of completion will be presented to you when you complete the BCC within a stipulated timeframe of 3 years with at least 100% attendance.

You can take any of the *modules of the Foundational Course in Catechesis (FCC) and/or Basic Course in Catechesis (BCC) at any time - sequentially or concurrently.

This means you may decide to take EITHER course on its own OR both courses at the same time.

However, please note to gain access to OFC's curriculum on the Catechetical Exchange, the FCC modules are a requirement.

The timeframe to complete the Foundational / Basic Course in Catechesis (FCC / BCC) is 3 years, from the start of the first course module.

Example (1)

If you registered for FCC01 Introduction to Catechetical Pedagogy & Catechetical Methods in November 2019, you will have until November 2022 to complete the remaining FCC modules (FCC Learning to Listen and Facilitate and FCC Five Strategies for Living out Virtues™)

Example (2)

If you register for BCC Scripture in March 2020, you will have until Feb 2023 to complete the remaining BCC modules (BCC- Liturgy: The Mass, BCC - Evangelisation and Mission Workshop, BCC - Introduction to Morality, BCC - Sacraments, BCC - Christian Anthropology) as well as attend an approved retreat**

A certificate of completion will be presented when the following are met

• FCC - within a stipulated timeframe of 3 years and with 100% attendance.

• BCC - within a stipulated timeframe of 3 years and with 100% attendance.

It is recommended for participants to be at least at least 18 years of age and we welcome all interested to attend our courses.

To complete the retreat fulfilment requirement for the completion of the Basic Course in Catechesis (BCC), please submit details of your retreat under Courses & Events

To apply for any exemption for FCC/BCC modules, please submit details of your retreat fill up this form.

Click here for access.

• For terms and conditions for access, click here.