Office of Religious Education
The aim of Catholic Religious Education is to assist people in the life work of discerning and responding to God’s presence in their lives by introducing them to, and faithfully echoing for them, the Church’s lived experience, through the ages, of the Risen Lord.
This is accomplished, particularly in parish communities, through the experiential and systematic cherishing and sharing of God’s Revelation to us in Sacred Scripture (pre-eminently in the Gospels) and in the Church’s Sacred Tradition, lived out in service and celebrated in the Sacraments.
The Office of Religious Education (O. R. E.) operates under the counsel and direction of the Bishop of Victoria, and is responsible for the support, guidance, and nurturing of catechetical programming throughout the Diocese.
Currently the O. R. E. serves and provides resources to pastors and their parish catechetical coordinators and catechists. In addition, support is provided to the Catholic Independent Schools, Diocese of Victoria, through the Basics of the Faith Programme offered to teachers.
Office of Religious Education, Coordinator: Mr. James E. O’Reilly,
#1 - 4044 Nelthorpe Street, Victoria, B. C., V8X 2A1;
Telephone: 250-479-1331; Fax: 250-479-5423 E-mail:
Areas of focus for the Office of Religious Education include:
Children’s Catechesis:
Currently workshops on content and methodology are offered to catechists, by request. The approved religion programme for the Diocese is the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishop’s, Born of the Spirit series. Approval for the piloting of Harcourt Religion Publisher’s Call to Faith series is also in place.
Children’s Sacramental Preparation:
The restored order of sacramental reception, based on the Documents of Vatican II, was initiated under Bishop Remi De Roo in the Diocese of Victoria in 1973, was clarified and reiterated in 2001 by Bishop Raymond Roussin, S.M. and remains the norm under Bishop Richard Gagnon. Approved programming resources include the following from Novalis: Come Spirit of God, Alive in the Spirit, and Come Join Us at the Table.
Under Bishop Richard Gagnon, a sub-committee of the Children’s Advisory Committee to the Bishop on Children’s Catechesis is currently developing a Diocesan Directive on Sacraments of Initiation for the Preparation of Children, based on the principles of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, to further assist pastors and parish catechists, and to address the concerns regarding sufficient time for adequate catechesis.
Youth Formation:
In 2007, Bishop Gagnon established the Diocesan Youth Ministry Team to provide support for parish Youth programmes and to introduce the Comprehensive Youth Ministry Model. The seven member Team acts as a liaison and support to parishes providing education and resources.
The Diocesan Youth Ministry Webpage may be found at http://www.islandyouth.ca
Adult Faith Formation:
Currently the O. R. E. acts as a resource to parishes with regard to consulting on, and support for local initiatives in the areas of Adult Faith Formation programmes and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.
Periodically ad hoc courses have been offered on behalf of the Diocese. “A Cloud of Witnesses: The Early Christians” was offered this Fall at St. Patrick’s Church Hall in Victoria.
The O. R. E. also acts as a liaison with St. Mark’s Theological College, which offers certificate and post-graduate Theological studies. During the Fall of 2008 “Foundations in Theology” has been offered in Victoria at St. Andrew’s Regional High School for St. Mark’s.
Beginning in January of 2009, “Introduction to Spirituality”, will be offered. A survey of the origins of Christian Spirituality in both the East and the West including different approaches to prayer in the early Church, this course, which may be audited or taken for credit, will be offered in Victoria at St. Andrew’s Regional High School for St. Mark’s.
Marriage Preparation:
Currently the O. R. E. acts as a resource to parishes with regard to consulting on, and support for local parish programming in the area of Marriage Preparation. Fr. Dean Henderson is currently establishing regional teams to assist parishes.
Liturgy:
The O. R. E. currently acts as a resource to parishes with regard to liturgy. In 2008 Bishop Gagnon called together a Diocesan Liturgical Commission to support parishes in the Diocese with implementation of the anticipated revisions to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal through consultation and education. Currently the Commission is undertaking a survey of parish needs throughout the Diocese.
The O. R. E. in conjunction with the Office of Religious Education, Archdiocese of Vancouver, will be hosting the Western Conference of Catholic Religious Educators Regional Conference, November 12 – 15, 2009.
September 2008