Catechesis

Visit the events calendar for upcoming parish events in your area.

Are you new to coordinating parish Religious Education? This is for you: Religious Education requirments and practical information for DREs, Parish RE coordinators and YM.

Catechist retreats will be held again in 2023. Stay tuned for more information this spring. Visit the Catechist Retreat page for more information and to register.

Sacrament Preparation Texts

Bishop John Folda mandated that all parishes and schools in the Diocese of Fargo use the “Encounter” series by Our Sunday Visitor for preparation for First Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Holy Communion.  Other books may be used, but only as supplemental to the "Encounter" series.  Order the “Encounter” books directly from Our Sunday Visitor.

Parishes are required to see that parents receive the sacramental preparation “Parent Handbooks”. They may be downloaded from the Sacramental Preparation page or parishes may order printed copies using the on-line order form.

The Sacramental Preparation page contains resources for children preparing for the reception of sacraments.

Religious Education Curriculum

Bishop Folda has mandated the use of Alive in Christ by Our Sunday Visitor as the main textbook series for grades 1-8th in parish and school religious education programs. For more information, visit the Curriculum page. Our books directly from Our Sunday Visitor.

Special Needs

Visit the Special Needs page for catechetical resources for persons with special needs.

Catechesis of adults is the principal (first) form of catechesis because it is “addressed to the persons who have the greatest responsibility and the capacity to live the Christian message in its fully developed form” (Pope John Paul II, Catechesi Tradendae 43). Visit the Adult Catechesis page for a list of programs, small faith-sharing groups and other opportunities for adults.

The Diocese of Fargo Catechetical Institute provides certification programs for the formation of catechists, as well as other resources .