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Let the children come to me,
and do not hinder them; for to such belongs
the kingdom of heaven. (Mt 19:14)
"The definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ: only He can lead us to the love of the Father in the Spirit and make us share in the life of the Holy Trinity."-St. Pope John Paul II, Catechesis Tradendae
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Family Faith in the Home"The family exists at the heart of all societies. It is the first and most basic community to which every person belongs. There is nothing more fundamental to our vitality as a society and as a Church. For, in the words of Pope John Paul II, "The future of humanity passes by way of the family" (On the Family, no. 86)" (Follow the Way, USCCB)."The crucial location where youth’s religious outcomes are largely decided is not the congregation or the parish, but the home" (Bartkus & Smith, 7).The Diocese of Baker understands that the importance of parents in the future religious and spiritual life of their children and youth is undeniable. We are partnering with parish leaders across the diocese to enhance our attention and resources to help encourage faith in the home, especially families praying together.
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DRE and Catechist ResourcesThe Office of Evangelization & Catechesis partners with parish leaders of formation/religious education, (discipleship leaders) to provide support and resources to help them recruit, train, and accompany the catechists and other volunteers in their ministry to families with children.For more information about the Discipleship Leaders' virtual gatherings (Sep - Jun), please click HERE.To view recordings of past meetings (2021-present), please click HERE.If you are new to your role, and do not receive emails from the Office of Evangelization & Catechesis, please call Marie or Bryce at the Pastoral Center.Catechist Training & CertificationThe Diocese of Boise encourages catechists to seek opportunities to grow in their relationship with Jesus, experiences of prayer, understanding of Sacred Scripture and the teachings of the Catholic Church, and improve their ability to share the faith with others. The Diocese of Boise provides such opportunities every year:Other reputable sources for advanced learning:
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Guidelines, Norms, and Catechetical Requirements Fall 2024
Alive in Christ or Vivos en Cristo (bilingual) by OSV (Our Sunday Visitor) is the recommended curriculum for K-8th grade faith formation in all parishes and schools in the Diocese of Baker. This curriculum has a spiral design so that all grade levels are formed in the same faith topics at the same time, enhancing faith conversations in the home. OSV offers many tools and resources to help share faith learning between the parish and the home, helping to build a more solid foundation of faith in the youngest members of our Church.
An alternative curriculum resource being piloted by some parishes is Sophia Institute's A Family of Faith or Una Familia de Fe (bilingual). This curriculum shares the formation of the young Church between the parish and the home, supporting and empowering parents, and still providing opportunities for children to gather by age groups with catechists. If your parish would like to pilot this curriculum, please contact the Office of Evangelization & Catechesis.
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Additional Resources
Catholic Blogs & Online Resources:
Teaching Catholic Kids, a ministry of Our Sunday Visitor to support Catholic parents raising Catholic families.
Resources for Families, Catechist & Leaders from Sadlier Religion
Ver en Español
Look to Him and be Radiant, a blog by Katie Bogner, a Catholic Teacher & DRE
Many Resources in English
Número creciente de recursos en español
Shower of Roses, a blog by Jessica, a Catholic wife and the mother of nine children who school at home. -
Protecting God's Children
The Diocese of Baker is committed to promoting a safe environment for the children and young people in our care. All employees and volunteers who work with children or youth must be in full compliance with the diocesan Protecting God’s Children policies and requirements.
Protecting God’s Children Requirements and Forms
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Preparing a Child to receive a Sacrament
The Diocese of Baker requires children preparing to receive a sacrament (First Eucharist, including First Reconciliation, and/or Confirmation) to participate in age-appropriate parish faith formation (religious education) for two consecutive years, with preparation for the sacrament occurring in the second year.
Two approved resources for preparing children to receive a sacrament are:(First Year)The Family Rosary Curriculum
(Second Year) The Family Rosary Way of Grace
Please visit the Sacramental Life page for additional sacramental preparation resources.
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Families in small parishes with limited faith formation or who live a great distance from the parish, should consult with the pastor to determine the path for helping form their children in the faith as well as preparing them to receive a sacrament.
Children and youth with significant gaps in their faith formation may be asked to enroll in a special first year course before preparing for a sacrament in the second year. This special course will help the child or youth "catch up" in their faith formation and building a solid relationship with Jesus.
Approved resource for
Best Practices for Forming Faith and Preparing for Sacraments, Diocese of Baker (in development)
Mejores Prácticas para Formar la Fe y Prepararse para los Sacramentos, Diócesis de Baker (en desarrollo)About Other Resources:Many parishes have bookcases containing the Faith and Life series, by Ignatius Press. While this is a solid, educational curriculum, and should be kept as a reference and research resource, its thematic design - each grade level focuses on a different aspect of the faith, does not promote building faith in the home or faith learning in the home as well as the parish. Its use as the primary resource for parish formation of children should be discontinued.Pastors seeking approval to use other texts or series in their parish, please contact the Office of Evangelization & Catechesis. Please take care to find resources that promote building faith in the home as well as in the parish.
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