The education /faith formation of children and youth is the responsibility of parents, pastors and local parish community. (Code of Canon Law #773, 774, 775, 776, 777, 780). One way that parents may choose to live out their role as primary educators of their children in the ways of faith is to provide catechesis for their children in the home. The rights and responsibilities of parents and parishes, alike, in this endeavor, call for a true partnership between the two. This is particularly important in regard to the preparation of children for the reception of the sacraments. Adherence to the following policies safeguards that partnership.
1. After making the decision to catechize their children at home, parents are to meet with their pastor/parish life administrator and/or his/her delegate for enrollment and assistance in developing a catechetical plan and assistance in choosing suitable catechetical materials. (Canon #776)
2. Anyone assuming the role of catechist for children or youth is expected to use catechetical materials that are recommended by the Faith Formation Office of the Diocese. The Diocese recommends texts that have been found by the Bishops’ Committee on the Catechism to be in doctrinal compliance with the Catechism of the Catholic Church and by the Diocese to meet doctrinal and pedagogical standards of catechetical documents such as the General Catechetical Directory and the National Catechetical Directory. (Canon #775) SEE RECOMMENDATIONS
3. Parents are encouraged and invited to use the Diocesan Resource Center, located at the Pastoral Center in Reno, by calling ahead of time to secure assistance, and their own parish resource libraries to supplement their catechetical efforts. (Canon #779)
4. Parents and their children are urged and welcome to participate in parish liturgies and/or other events prepared specifically for children and their families.
5. The pastor/parish life administrator and/or his/her delegate encourages the parents to prepare for their role as catechist by participating in courses and workshops offered by the parish or by the Office of Faith Formation of the Diocese of Reno. (Canon #780)
6. Parents are expected to communicate periodically with the pastor/parish life administrator and/or his/her delegate to review the progress of their catechetical efforts.
7. Parents and children are to participate in the special requirements of the sacramental preparation process offered by the parish, including parent and child sessions, appropriate initiation rites, retreats and sacramental celebrations and provision of sacramental documents. (Canon #777)
8. The Sacramental Policies of the Diocese of Reno will be used to guide the pastor/parish life administrator in deciding with parents the readiness of the child for receiving a sacrament.