--- title: Who's Teaching the Faith? description: Deanna Bartalini asks for your input about catechist training as she faces a bit of a problem area in her parish. --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/05/21/whos-teaching-the-faith#) # Who's Teaching the Faith? May 21, 2014 9:30:32 AM  |  by [Deanna Bartalini](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/deanna-bartalini) For most of my life I have been involved in catechesis. I have served as both a volunteer and in paid positions in the Church. I won’t bore you with my résumé; let’s just say I’ve done just about everything a lay person can do without needing special permission. I do though, have some special education, that is, I’ve studied Catholicism quite a bit both formally and informally. ![DSCF1530](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/DSCF1530-533x400.jpg?width=533&height=400&name=DSCF1530-533x400.jpg) I have a concern or worry and a problem. In the last few weeks I’ve heard youth leaders (all volunteer) say things that are just not quite right about the faith. When I think about it I am disturbed. I teach all the time: children, parents, adults, RCIA groups, scripture, and whatever else is needed. When I am asked a question and don’t know the answer, I admit it. I don’t make up an answer. I also leave my opinion at the door. When I speak, I am doing so from a position of authority and so what I say must be 100% in line with the Church. Upon further thinking about this and asking people why they answered in such a way, I find that these folks think they are correct with their response. Even to go so far as to say, “Well, maybe you’re right, but that’s what I think” when corrected. **So here is my question to you: does your diocese require some level of training in order to be a catechist to children, youth, and/or adults?** Does your parish? I am not talking here about “how to teach” training but rather training in Catholicism. How does your parish screen potential catechists? I know what I think is a good plan, but sometimes when you talk to yourself you only seem brilliant. I would like to know what goes on in other places and take other views into consideration. *Copyright 2014, Deanna Bartalini* ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F05%2F21%2Fwhos-teaching-the-faith%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F05%2F21%2Fwhos-teaching-the-faith%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F05%2F21%2Fwhos-teaching-the-faith%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Who%27s%20Teaching%20the%20Faith%3F) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F05%2F21%2Fwhos-teaching-the-faith%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F05%2F21%2Fwhos-teaching-the-faith%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Deanna Bartalini](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Deanna%20Bartalini%202025-1.png) ### [Deanna Bartalini](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/deanna-bartalini) Deanna G. Bartalini, M.Ed., M.P.A. is a certified spiritual director, retreat leader, speaker, and writer with decades of experience serving the Church. She is the founder of [LiveNotLukewarm.com](https://LiveNotLukewarm.com), works on the retreat team at Our Lady of Florida Passionist Spiritual Center, and is an Unbound prayer minister. Deanna writes from her experiences of over 40 years of marriage, children and grandchildren. ## Related Blog Articles [ Learn to Have Hope—No Matter What Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/learn-to-have-hope-no-matter-what) [ What time is it? 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