Echoes of Faith - Emmaus
Echoes of Faith-Emmaus Edition is an online program of basic formation for catechists. Employing video, reflection/discussion questions, and online assessments, the program is designed to help a catechist become more confident, competent and creative.
Echoes of Faith fulfills the requirements for attaining Basic Religious Education Certification in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
Echoes of Faith offers three series of modules, corresponding to the dimensions of formation outlined in the General Directory for Catechesis -- being, knowing and savoir-faire:
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The Catechist series – three modules on the vocation and roles of the catechist, and first steps for getting started in the ministry.
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The Theology series on Sacred Scripture and on the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church – the creed, liturgy and sacraments, catholic morality, and prayer and spirituality.
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The Methodology series includes a module on faith development, and several age-specific modules on methods (for grades 1-2, 3-4, 5-6. 7-8, and for adult formation).
Echoes of Faith-Emmaus Edition was redesigned and developed through an ongoing partnership between In Word and Witness and RCL Benziger.
Models of Implementation
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Online Parish Group - A group of catechists in a parish, cluster or deanery participate in training, facilitated by a parish catechetical leader.
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Parish Group with Meetings – Catechists view the videos and read material online, and gather periodically for face-to-face prayer and discussion.
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Archdiocesan Online Cohort - Catechists anywhere in the archdiocese register to participate in the module, which is led by an archdiocesan faciliator.
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Independent Study - A catechist uses the program individually, under supervision of a mentor.
Articles on Using Echoes of Faith
The following articles appeared in Catechetical Leader magazine. They are available to leaders in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee with the permission of the publisher NCCL. The articles refer to Echoes of Faith Plus, but may still be useful with Echoes of Faith-Emmaus.
Echoes of Faith: Video Enrichment or Catechist Formation?
Being, Knowing and Savoir-faire
Echoes and Distance Learning
How do I use the Bonus Interviews?
Interactive Echoes
Teaching Children to Pray
Do Your Catechists have a Growth Plan?
Echoes of Faith Plus and Echoes 3.0
The previous versions or editions of Echoes of Faith may still be used in catechist formation.
Echoes of Faith 3.0, launched in 2014, is an online program that uses videos, discussion questions, articles, and assessments, all of which are available online.
Echoes of Faith Plus is the predecessor of Echoes 3.0. It provides many of the same videos, articles and discussion questions, but uses DVDs and print Workbooks. It was first made available in 2007-2008. Echoes Plus may still be used for catechist formation.
Echoes of Faith, the original series produced in the 1990s, pioneered the modular, video-based approach to catechist formation, using VHS tapes.
Echoes of Faith was developed through a collaboration between the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership (NCCL) and RCL Benziger.