The Diocese of Shreveport provides four levels of certification for the men and women who serve as catechists in our parishes and in our schools.

Level 1 - Pre-Service Certification - All those called to serve in the ministry of teaching the faith are encouraged to work to receive this first certificate. At this level a sixteen hour course in fundamental and necessary skills needed for teaching religion is presented: A History of Catechetics, The Organization and Expectations Necessary for Well-run Classes, Some Basic Skills for Lesson Planning and Using Current Teaching Tools, Guidelines for Using Scripture, An Overview of The Sacraments, of Prayer and of The Liturgy.

The Person who has received Pre-Service Certification may wear a Diocesan Medallion with a white ribbon.

Pre-Service courses are offered in parishes or at the Catholic Center when eight or more people are able to attend. Costs for this course is $30.00 per person to cover all hand-outs and distributed materials.

Level 2 - Basic Certification - This level of certification is granted to those who have successfully completed six sixteen-hour Foundation Courses offered by the Greco Institute. These courses include: Church History, The Creed/What Catholics Believe, Liturgy/The Church at Prayer, The Sacraments, Sacred Scripture and Catholic Morality.

A person completing the required classes for Basic Certification may wear the Diocesan Medallion with a green ribbon.

Foundation Courses are marked each Semester in the Greco Class Schedule.

Level 3 - Advanced Catechist Certification - The third certification is granted to individuals who have completed the six Foundation courses and have successfully completed six or more Greco courses in a specific area – Scripture, Liturgy, Spirituality, etc.

The person who has completed the Advanced Level of Certification may wear a Diocesan Medallion with a blue ribbon.

Level 4 - Master Catechist Certification - The Master Catechist Certificate is granted to those who have received a Masters Degree or - when they have not before received a Bachelors Degree – a Masters Certificate from the University where they have completed the required series of Masters Level courses in Theology, Religious Studies or Pastoral Ministry.

A Master Catechist wears a Diocesan Medallion with a gold ribbon.

Those seeking Catechetical Certification must make application through the Office of Catechetics. For course work outside the diocese, appropriate documentation must be provided.