Diocesan Resources
Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework for the Development of Catechetical Materials for High School Students (2012)
The document Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework for the Development of Catechetical Materials for Young People of High School Age was developed by the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). It was approved by the full body of the USCCB at its November 2007 General Meeting and has been authorized for publication by the undersigned. Msgr. David J. Malloy, STD General Secretary, USCCB
The definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ” (CT, no. 5). These ends are evident in this framework—designed to guide catechetical instruction for young people of high-school age wherever and however it takes place: in Catholic high schools, in parish religious education programs, with young people schooled at home, or within the context of the catechetical instruction which should be part of every youth ministry program. The Christological centrality of this framework is designed to form the content of instruction as well as to be a vehicle for growth in one’s relationship with the Lord so that each may come to know him and live according to the truth he has given to us. In this way, disciples not only participate more deeply in the life of the Church but are also better able to reach eternal life with God in Heaven.
As a framework, this document offers guidance to catechetical publishers in the creation of instructional material. The order in which the doctrinal elements within each theme are identified should not be understood to be an outline of a text or course. rather, they are offered as building blocks that can be combined in any number of ways within that particular thematic structure and can be augmented with additional doctrinal teaching, depending on the creativity of authors and editors.