Religious Education (Diocese of Lexington) at 1310 West Main Street, Lexington, KY 40508-2048 US - WHAT IS A DRE?

Within the Church community that endeavors to carry out the Ministry of the Word, there arise providentially roles and ministries which correspond to the needs of each age.  In our day in missionary countries, for example, the role of the catechist has assumed a great importance.  Catechists have often become the chief teachers of the faith for small and sometimes isolated communities and have even had to preside over Liturgies of the Word in the absence of a priest or deacon.

In our own country in a similar fashion, the position of Director of Religious Education has emerged as a providential ministry to strengthen the Church's catechetical efforts.  This ministry has provided parishes with qualified persons who are called to serve the catechetical programs of their communities in either a full‑time or part‑time capacity.

The specific responsibilities of Directors may differ from parish to parish. As Ministers of the Word, however, all Directors are called to and entrusted with a share in proclaiming and teaching the faith.  They do this by planning and implementing an organized catechetical program for the parish community.

In their ministry Directors call forth and enable the gifts of others in the community, e.g., parents, catechists, youth peer ministers.  It is, there­fore, not only a ministry of the message but a ministry to and with persons.

The following principles are suggested as a framework for a proper understanding of the role:

1.      In Chapter 12 of his First Letter to the Corin­thians, Paul lists many gifts that the Holy Spirit bestows on members of the community for the good of all.  He lists prophets and teachers right after apostles and speaks of the great value of these gifts for the up building of the community, even evaluating it more favorably than the gift of tongues: "... I would rather say five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue." (l Cor. 14:19)

Directors, then, should see God's call and the Spirit's gifts as the ultimate source of their ministry.  These are given to them for service to the community.  Following the teaching of Paul, one carefully chosen to fulfill the role of catechetical leader in a parish community should be seen to be gifted by the Spirit for this role.

2.      The Church's Ministry of the Word takes many forms‑‑evangelization, catechesis, theology, etc.  The catechetical form is the one primarily exercised by the Director.  It is oriented towards leading communities and individual members of the faithful to maturity of faith.  Through catechetical programs communities acquire a deeper knowledge of God and of his plan of salvation centered in Christ.  Faith becomes more mature and enlightened ‑‑ truly "living, conscious and active."

3.      The chief focus of the Director's service is this Ministry of the Word, the teaching of the faith, the forming of disciples.  This task is therefore primarily catechetical, educational, formational -‑ ­understood in the widest and most contemporary interpre­tation of these words.  In this light, the Director's service in the Ministry of the Word in the Church is very direct and explicit.  He/She occasionally may be called upon to engage in allied activities (e.g., liturgical celebration, social ministry,) but the focus of his/her service is catechetical ‑‑ oriented towards the strengthening of the community of faith through a systematic presentation of the content of the faith in a mature manner adapted to the needs and stages of the development of individuals and the local community.

            There are other legitimate pastoral roles in the local community to which men and women are called.  The service of a parish total catechetical program, however, is so vital and so demanding that it is important that roles and functions not be confused and that those who seek a position as Director of Religious Education do so with full commitment to their important and specifically catechetical task.

4.      The parish Director of Religious Education should be seen and welcomed as a full partner in the parish's ministerial team.  The Ministry of the Word in which Directors are involved is so intimately related to the parish's existence as a community of faith that the gifts of the Spirit which they employ in the service of the community require that they be fully involved in the parish leadership and pastoral decision-­making process.  The Director himself or herself, like other members of the parish staff, will also want to feel a sense of accountability and responsibility to the community for the effective implementation of his/her role.