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OUR LADY'S CATECHISTS
Our Lady's Catechists is an association of
men and women who are qualified to give religious instruction at the request of
parents or parish priests.
The picture at
the top of this page is that of our
Logo. Click on the picture to read an explanation of the logo of Our
Lady's Catechists.
A BRIEF HISTORY
Our Lady's Catechists
was founded
in 1923 when Cardinal Bourne asked Margaret Fletcher, foundress of the Catholic
Women's League, to help with the instruction of those children who were not at
Catholic schools and who, at that time, had little hope of instruction in their
Faith.
Two years later there were 52 trained
catechists and an equal number in training. For members at a distance from
the training centre a course by correspondence was prepared and approved by the
Hierarchy. Members passing an examination at the end of the course were
given a certificate of competence to teach.
In 1931 a standing committee of Our Lady's
Catechists was established and in 1956 became a committee of the Catholic
Women's League, with a representative of every Diocesan branch of the CWL.
Our Lady's Catechists was financed by the donation of Associate Members.
By this time there were 111 members teaching 1,000 children. A Postal
Course was prepared to meet the needs of children living at a distance from a
Catholic school. In 1950 the work was extended to parts of the Highlands
and Islands of Scotland.
In 1960 the OLC Certificate was recognised
by the Hierarchy and the Bishops agreed to countersign the certificates.
At the request of Cardinal Heenan men were included in OLC. A new Postal
Course of Home Study with a corresponding tutor was produced and became known as
the Diploma course.
In 1976 Qualified Teachers of (Catholic)
Religion were invited to receive special membership of OLC, subject to a period
of probation.
In 1980 in response to the increasing
demand from priests of parish catechists, and from parents and other who wanted
to update their knowledge of Scripture and Doctrine after Vatican II, the
Foundation Course, a postal course, was started. Certificates were awarded
after successful examination and countersigned by the Bishop. Our Lady's
Catechists was invited and agreed to organise and run the Service through
Religious Education (Roman Catholic) for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
1986-1998 OLC co-operated with the
National Project and Diocesan training courses and became a member of the
National Board of Religious Inspectors and Advisers. The work with
children continues but increasingly OLC works with adults both in parishes and
in providing courses. The need for this work, begun more than 80 years ago
is as great today as it was then.
The work is organised as a Special
Committee of the Catholic Women's League but membership is not restricted to
members of the League. Both men and women may join. The service
offered it complementary to the religious education provision in each diocese.
All the Courses are correspondence courses
and fees are kept to a minimum.
The work falls into two main Categories:
The Training of Catechists
The Education of Children and Adults
TRAINING CATECHISTS
There are 3 Postal Courses for Adults:
Catholicism
Made Simple
Foundation Course
Diploma
Course
EDUCATION OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS
Face-to-face Tuition is given wherever
possible. OLC catechists prepare children both individually and in parish
groups for the Sacraments of Initiation, Confirmation, Holy Communion and
Reconciliation. They also help with children's liturgies in Parishes and
nowadays in setting up Courses in Parishes to enable adults to renew their
understanding of their Faith and to help with RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation
for Adults). They also prepare Sacramental Preparation Programmes for
Adults in Parishes.
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme has a
Service Section, and in this area OLC is responsible for the 'Service through
Religious Education (RC)' at Silver and Gold levels.
Young Parish Helpers are now commonly used
in Parishes, and they are those aged between 16 - 25 who are prepared to worked
with young children in their own Parish either in the Children's Liturgy or as a
trainee catechist in Parish Sacramental Programmes. The course guidelines
are obtained through OLC and the Helper works under the guidance of a local
catechist.
MEMBERSHIP OF OUR LADY'S CATECHISTS
Those who have obtained the Diploma or the
Foundation Course Catechist Certificate, and other qualified Teachers of
Religion.
Also ASSOCIATE MEMBERS, who are
those who help OLC by praying for their work and paying a small annual
subscription.
Also Parish Catechists who hold similar
qualifications
Every member receives a copy of 'NOTES
& NEWS' annually and may attend the Weekend Conference & AGM and the
Autumn Study Day.
ORGANISATION
Administration is carried out by a small
Executive Committee which meets quarterly.
In consultation with the Committee, each
Diocesan Branch of the CWL appoints a Diocesan Representative who keeps in touch
with the Catechists, the Sections of the CWL, the Union of Catholic Mothers and
the Diocesan Centres for Religious Education, and also recruits new members and
interests the clergy in our work. The OLC is represented on other
national catechetical bodies.
FINANCE
The work is voluntary
throughout.
Catechist members pay no subscriptions, though many generously give a donation.
OLC depends on donations and subscriptions to cover expenses -- mostly postage,
printing, fares etc.
If you would like more information about any of the Courses
contact either the Chairman or the Secretary below:
| The Chairman |
The Secretary |
| Mrs. |
Mrs. |
| PO Box 111, |
PO Box 111, Eccles |
| Eccles, |
Eccles, |
| Manchester M30 9WG |
Manchester, M30 9WG |
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