Day for Catechists 20 September 2025
Echoing the Faith: exploring the Creed together
Timetable
Saturday 20 September 2025
10:00am Arrivals, registrations, tea/coffee and bookstalls
11:00am Welcome and practical notices
11:05am Keynote Address: The Creed is our Bones In this 1700th anniversary year of the Council of Nicaea we will explore what the Nicene Creed means to us today and how it remains central to our catechesis. Martin Kochanski is the creator of ‘Universalis’ and author of ‘The Creed in Slow Motion’.
12noon Session 1: The Creed - living it out in our Archdiocese with Archbishop John Wilson and members of the Agency team.
12:45pm Adoration in the Cathedral
1:00pm Lunch, Bookstalls (AEC, CTS, Isaiah Books, Hodder Publishing)
1:45pm Session 2 (choice of workshop)
2:45pm Session 3 (choice of workshop)
4:00pm Commissioning Mass, the highlight of the day, celebrated by Archbishop John Wilson, followed by graduation ceremony for CCRS and Archbishop’s Certificate students.
The Martyrs' Picture (1583) by Durante Alberti
Please see below for details of choice of workshops before you register
Keynote
The Creed is our Bones
with Martin Kochanski, Creator of Universalis
In this 1700th anniversary year of the Council of Nicaea we will explore what the Nicene Creed means to us today and how it remains central to our catechesis.
Session 1 Workshop
Session 1: The Creed - living it out in our Archdiocese with Archbishop John Wilson and members of the Agency team.
An opportunity for us to explore together our need for conversion and what this means for our missionary Archdiocese and the approach of Some Definite Service.
This will be followed by a time of adoration in the Cathedral. An opportunity for each one of us to respond personally to the Lord.
Session 2 Workshops - choose one
A. Developing an understanding of Evangelisation in Catechetical Practice - what does this mean for our collaboration with parents?
Dcn Javier Elderfield, Cathedral Manager and Mrs Susan Elderfield, Education Service. Cathedral Parish Catechists
This session proposes a shift in the traditional approach to catechesis, moving away from a primary focus on children to instead prioritise the evangelisation of the family as the foundational step. It emphasises the family's crucial role as the domestic church, where faith is first encountered, lived, and nurtured. The session will consider practical ways to introduce the core message of the Gospel to families, fostering a personal encounter with Christ.
B. The Power of Sacrifice: enriching our catechesis from the liturgical tradition
Fr Stephen Morrison, o.praem. – Parish Priest of Our Lady of Sorrows, Peckham
The way we worship and what we believe cannot be separated – we pray what we believe and believe what we pray. Liturgy is not an ‘add on’ to our catechesis, it is at the heart of all we believe. The object of catechesis “seeks to promote communion with Jesus Christ” (Directory for Catechesis, 30 ⸹3), who as True God and True Man offers himself to the Father as a sacrifice that takes away the sins of humanity. The sacrificial aspect of the Mass teaches us to offer our very selves to him as a living sacrifice (c.f. Romans 12:1), in union with him; therefore, our catechesis both on Christ and on the Sacraments needs to reflect that truth and that endeavour clearly and convincingly. Could it also teach us how to catechise effectively?
C. Finding Parish Volunteers
Daniel Ferguson, Evangelisation and Outreach Advisor, AEC
Every parish needs volunteers—people ready to respond to God's call and serve His Church. However, volunteers do not simply appear - they must be invited, encouraged, and formed through vision and relationship.
Drawing on the principles of spiritual multiplication, Daniel will offer practical suggestions for identifying, inviting, feeding, and forming volunteers - not just to fill roles, but to become missionary disciples. As we mark 1700 years since the Nicene Creed first clearly expressed the Church’s belief, this session will reflect on the importance of clarity when calling others to serve. Daniel will also explore succession planning and how to draw people into leadership in a way that is intentional, lasting, and Spirit-led.
D. Called to be a Jubilee People – our need for freedom
Isabel Fawcett, Local Leadership Resource Coordinator, AEC
"The same people who longed for freedom didn’t seem to know what to do with it. Thankfully for us, God is tireless in his pursuit of his people. As Psalm 136 reminds us (ad nauseum), “His mercy endures forever!”" (Bergsma, introduction to 'Jesus and the Jubilee').
Taking inspiration from Dr John Bergsma's book we will explore our need for freedom and what it means to be a jubilee people as catechists.
E. Principles of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for Liturgy of the Word with Children
Christine Byrne, CGS Formation Leader for Level 1, CGS catechist for Levels 1, 2, 3 and Toddler
This workshop will offer a description and experience of how Scripture can be shared, and prayer fostered, with young children, according to the approach used in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
A. Spiritual Conversations and Intentional Accompaniment in Children's Catechesis
Ann Pittaway, Research Fellow for NICER at Canterbury Christ Church University
In this workshop, we consider the transformative power of engaging children in heartfelt spiritual conversations. We will explore the significance of listening with the heart to children's expressions of faith, ensuring their voices are heard and valued. Being invited to participate in spiritual conversations with children, sharing moments of grace with them in that space, is both a humbling and powerful experience, and better enables us to intentionally accompany them on their faith journey. Through a combination of reflective tasks and practical ideas, this workshop will offer catechists meaningful ways to foster these sacred encounters within their ministry.
Session 3 Workshops - choose one
B. ‘Lifting up’ the Creed in our Catechesis
Margaret Wickware and Angela Wood (both have an MA in Catholic Applied Theology - Catechesis and have many years of experience as Parish Catechists)
In this workshop participants will explore how the Creed is an integral part of every Sacrament, with a special focus upon the Sacrament of Baptism.
Adults about to be baptised or parents and godparents, speaking on behalf of a young child at their baptism, affirm their belief in the central tenets of our Catholic faith by answering a series of short questions. They are responding to God’s loving invitation to live in Christ and as brothers and sisters of each other. They are responding to a call to surrender themselves, body and soul to Christ, our Saviour and his mission.
Join us as we explore four varied and practical ways to help those we catechise to surrender themselves so that they can: live each day in the Trinitarian relationship established at their Baptism; be strengthened by the Holy Spirit through Confirmation, and be nourished and sustained at every celebration of the Eucharist.
C. Spirit-led Catechesis
Niklas Carlson, Team Member (Discipleship), AEC, and member of Cor et Lumen Christi
In Catechesi Trandendae, Pope St John Paul II called the Holy Spirit “the principle inspiring all catechetical work and all who do this work”. He called the Holy Spirit the “teacher within” and said that every catechist “must be very much aware of acting as a living, pliant instrument of the Holy Spirit” (CT 72).
Yet the Holy Spirit is hidden; He “who unveils Christ to us will not speak on his own” (CCC 687), and for many Catholics the Holy Spirit is the least known of the Divine Persons – how can we be living and pliant instruments of someone we do not know, or do not know very well?
Niklas will explore how we can enter into a conscious, life-giving relationship with the Holy Spirit to bear rich catechetical fruit, not least by leading those we teach to a living relationship with the Holy Spirit, “the Lord and Giver of Life” (The Nicene Creed).
D. Youth Ministry 101. Engaging youth at the parish level
Fr Dermott O’Gorman, Director of Youth, Southwark Catholic Youth Service
This workshop will explore simple and practical ways to accompany young people and develop youth ministry in a parish setting, helping them grow in knowledge and love of Christ and build community. It will also highlight opportunities to connect with both Diocesan and other training, events, and resources that support youth discipleship.
E. The Catechism: Synthesis of our Faith. How to use it to support your catechesis
Ingrid La Trobe, Family, Child and Youth Catechesis Advisor, AEC
'Every catechist should be able to apply to himself the mysterious words of Jesus: 'My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.' (CCC 427). How is it that we best equip ourselves as catechists so that we can 'lead others to the 'yes' of faith in Jesus Christ' (CCC 429). If you would like to use the Catechism of the Catholic Church to support your catechesis, but don't know how, this session will explore how the Catechism is designed to support our work, we will look at its history and structure, and how it is an encounter with 'the love that never ends' (CCC 25).
Questions
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Yes, please book in advance. This means we can plan where each workshop is best situated. If you arrive on the day and the event is full, you will not be able to attend.
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There is a small charge of £10 per person. If you volunteer in your parish we suggest your parish pay to support your training and development (you will be given this option when you register). When you register your parish will be notified that you plan to attend. If you would prefer to pay yourself, you can do so on registration.
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One of the areas is not accessible. Please email the Agency as soon as possible - aec@rcaos.org.uk - and we will do everything we can to accomodate you.