This October will see the launch of the new Catechetical Certificate for the Diocese of East Anglia. This is an online course, run by the School of the Annunciation for the Diocese.
The course was developed by Dr Caroline Farey, who has already visited the diocese and who spoke to great acclaim at the Newman Lectures. Last year, Dr Farey was named as one of the "Catholic Women of the Year' for her work with catechists.
Deacon Andrew Eburne (pictured above), chair of the Catechesis Commission, said: "We are so delighted to be able to announce this collaboration. The School of the Annunciation is one of the best regarded centres for Catholic education in the country. This catechists' course has already been run in other dioceses to great effect, and has always been oversubscribed.
"One of the great advantages of the course is that almost all the work is completed online, with one study day each term which the School has agreed to hold in the diocese ' and that pattern of work is a great help in a rural diocese like our own!"
Bishop Alan said: "This is a first rate course which promises to give our catechists the help and support that they richly deserve. Our hope is that every parish in the Diocese will have a catechist who has completed the course."
Bishop Alan will be writing to all parish catechists inviting them to apply for the new course, which begins in October.