GUIDELINES FOR HOME-BASED CATECHESIS

Please note: These Guidelines refer to catechesis that is exclusively home-based and not to “Family Catechesis,” which involves catechesis that is facilitated by the parish with parent-led components.  

While we recognize that parents are the primary educators of their children and that some parents may “choose to provide catechesis for their children in their home, their catechesis must be both complete and authentic” (National Directory for Catechesis, #3, Home-Based Catechesis). “Complete” catechesis includes ongoing catechesis of children from Grade K through Grade 12 in accord with the Catechetical Curriculum Guide for Catholic Schools and Parish Schools of Religion and the Archdiocese of New Orleans Catholic High School Catechetical Curriculum Guide.

The National Directory for Catechesis states that “the bishop of the diocese, the pastor of the parish, the parents, and the children all have God-given responsibilities that must be respected in considering home-based catechesis” (NDC, 3). 

“Parents who would like to provide catechesis at home should make themselves known to the local pastor and consult with him or his delegate to ensure that the catechesis provided in the home is the catechesis of the Church. Dialogue between the pastor and the parents is essential to the complete and authentic catechesis of children in their home” (NDC, 3).

With this guidance from the United States bishops in the National Directory for Catechesis, the Department of Catholic Education and Faith Formation (DCEFF) for the Archdiocese of New Orleans provides the following guidelines for those parents wishing to catechize their children in the home.

1. “Parents who choose to be not only the primary educators of their children, but also their catechists must adhere to all guidelines for catechists outlined by the diocesan bishop” (NDC, 3). Because the Archdiocese of New Orleans requires all catechists to be engaged in the Archdiocesan Catechist Formation Program (completing Initial Formation within three years, and then continuing annually with Ongoing Formation), all parents who wish to catechize their children in a home-based program must also be taking courses/workshops in fulfillment of these expectations.  (See the DCEFF website, Catechist Formation Policy for Parishes, for more information.)

2. Catechesis may be permitted in the home for a serious reason, such as a prolonged/chronic illness or in the case of a student unable to take instruction in a regular classroom setting, such as severe developmental or cognitive delay or disability, or physical disability. This allowance does NOT cover scheduling conflicts, such as sports or other extracurricular activities.

3. Families who wish to catechize their children in the home according to the above description must follow Archdiocesan Catechetical Curriculum Guide for Catholic Schools and Parish Schools of Religion and the Archdiocese of New Orleans Catholic High School Catechetical Curriculum Guide.

4. “Parents who would like to provide catechesis at home should make themselves known to the local pastor and consult with him or his delegate to ensure that the catechesis provided in the home is the catechesis of the Church. Dialogue between the pastor and the parents is essential to the complete and authentic catechesis of children in their home” (NDC, 3). In the Archdiocese of New Orleans, this means that the parents must first contact the pastor of their parish to discuss their situation and how to best meet the needs of the child(ren). The parish catechetical leader (PCL) and other members of the catechetical staff should provide assistance to parents/guardians doing catechesis in the home. The pastor will make the final decision regarding the appropriateness of home-based catechesis.

5. The textbooks to be used in home-based catechesis must be the same as those used in the local parish. These may be purchased through the parish faith formation program. Other supplemental materials may also be used for home-based catechesis; however, these additional materials should be approved by the pastor and/or the DCEFF and must be in conformity with the teachings of the Catholic Church.

6. Students who are catechized in a home-based program should meet annually with the PCL (or other members of the catechetical staff as directed by the PCL) to ensure that progress is being made in accordance with the Archdiocesan curriculum for that grade level. This accountability is necessary to ensure that the child(ren) are receiving religious instruction in accordance with the standards of the Parish School of Religion and Catholic schools in the Archdiocese.