This model supports the development of the domestic church, through coaching parents as the primary catechists of their children.

Benefits of the “At Home” Model:

• Parents and children have an opportunity to experience significant moments of faith sharing; studies show the correlation of a child’s continued commitment to religion is largely based on what is modeled by his or her parent.
• Families with multiple children and busy schedules can engage in faith formation on their schedule.
• Adult formation and reinforcement happen at the same time the children are being formed.
• Each family can take the formation at their own pace and level, allowing for greater discipleship building in the long term.

Features of a successful “At-Home Model”

• Faith formation leaders become curators of content. Best practice:  The weekly newsletter The Family Zone will be formatted as a liturgy-based weekly “playlist” of learning options that can be utilized by faith formation leaders in parishes.
• Parents are coached by faith formation leaders as catechists of their children
  Best Practices:  Monthly zoom or in-person (as allowed) meeting for parents about content for  the month through a catechetical leader-led webinar for a publisher-led  coaching webinar parents can watch on their schedules.
• All material is available for download ONLINE as well as in print for those parents who prefer to pick it up.  Best Practice:  A parish should create a designated space for parent catechists to retrieve information such as a Weebly site, Google Drive or weekly email and consider a “subscription box” format for materials that are picked up.
• Activities should allow for engaging family time that encourage fun, creativity and connection NOT book work.  In their new overwhelming role as at home teachers, families are already stretched beyond limits; a catechetical leader must provide activities that are an inviting use of family time.
• Activities and lessons should be simple, easy to follow and low on supplies. They should represent a realistic understanding of a family’s available time and knowledge about the Catholic faith.
• Activities should be evangelizing and help a family to deepen their relationships with one another and with Jesus Christ.
• The Catechetical leader should maintain an ongoing relationship with the families in an “At-Home” program and adjust programming according to the needs and request of the families.

Benefits of the mini-course model:

• Mini courses happen over a brief time period (3-6 weeks) where a faith theme from the four pillars of the Catechism may be looked at more extensively.
• A brief time period may allow for small group “cohort” gatherings that are in person or can easily adapt to Zoom gatherings.
• Mini courses provide some autonomy for the learner who can choose from a menu of offerings; this is proven to be an excellent option for today’s learner.
• Volunteer catechists have a short-term commitment.
• A mini-course model may allow for both “in-person” and online sessions as the regulations allow

Features of a successful “mini-course” model:

• Creates greater ownership on the part of both youth and their parents, with the option of choice
• There is a scope and sequence of objectives and outcomes with a clear introduction, development of the topic and concluding activity.
• Information is provided in small bites to keep participants engaged with plenty of opportunities for integration and discussion of the material.
• Adult facilitators/catechists can teach courses for which they already have the necessary education, training, skill or interest
• Shorter courses allow for more planning time and creative programming
• Expert guest presenters can be enlisted from outside the parish to conduct particular mini-courses.
• Mini courses can follow the liturgical year/seasons or focus on a faith theme such as social justice, morality, or the Bible.
• Flipped learning would allow for the learning to be done on an individual basis and the integration of the material to happen in small group cohorts either online or in-person.
• An entire parish can participate in a mini course menu with courses for different age levels offered on the same topic so that all members of a family are learning about things they might discuss further.

Benefits of a hybrid model: 

• Beginning the year with this model prepared and explained to all families will allow for less disruption in the programming year, if gathering opportunities are halted by COVID-19
• Learning can be “on-demand” to meet the needs of a family’s schedule
• Multiple intelligences and learning styles can be met more successfully with at-home options
• Less supplies, spatial needs and volunteers may be required of the parish, than in a traditional gathered setting
• This model allows for greater differentiation to meet the developmental needs of learner.

Features of a successful hybrid model:

• “Lecture” is provided in a flipped learning method with a video sent in advance of an online or in-person gathered session.
• A learning “playlist” is provided to allow learners and families to pursue the topic in the way most engaging for them.
• Zoom (or an alternative online platform) can easily be used in place of “in-person” gatherings and incorporates small group breakout rooms for discussion.
• The faith formation leader keeps a personal connection with the families through frequent communication via email or pick up of “at-home” learning packets
• Families should be encouraged to “take the learning home” and create their own experience of integrating what is learned.
• Activities suggested for the “at home” learning will also connect the family to the weekly Mass and additional prayer or worship within family time as well as service to others.