Summary

Christopher Weber is currently the Director of Catholic Education Ministries for Central Maryland with the Archdiocese of Baltimore. His 20 years of experience in the field of catechesis have included 5 years as a parish catechetical leader, and 15 years as part of a diocesan office supporting catechetical and youth ministry leaders in the field. Chris’ special interests include communications, and using technology to further our catechetical mission. He is a regular columnist for Catechist Magazine, and publishes a bi-monthly column at his web site, www.centralmdcatholic.org.

Curriculum Vitae

Education

Master of Arts in Systematic Theology, 1987
St. Paul University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Baccalaureate in Theology,  1986
St. Paul University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Bachelor of Arts, Religious Studies,  1983
St. Michael's College, Colchester, VT

• Magna Cum Laude, minors in philosophy and French
• Father Prevel Award - Outstanding Male Graduate

Experience

Director - 1998 to present
Catholic Education Ministries Center of Central Maryland, Archdiocese of Baltimore

• Direct activities of regional catechetical center.
• Provide consultation and resources for catechetical personnel in twenty-two parishes and five Catholic schools throughout Carroll, Frederick, and Washington Counties.
• Design and conduct workshops and retreats for parish and school leadership and volunteers.
• Design and manage Center's web site, www.centralmdcatholic.org.

Associate Director - Catechist Formation  - 1993-1998
Office of Religious Education, Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, NY

• As collaborative member of six person staff, provided consultation and leadership formation in catechesis to diocesan parishes and Catholic schools.
• Oversaw formation and certification processes for catechists and Catholic school teachers in fourteen counties.
• Directed annual diocesan Spring Enrichment conference for 1000 participants. Responsible for planning and implementation of program, including over 100 workshops, faculty recruitment, budget, liturgies, registration, exhibits and onsite coordination.
• Designed and offered training workshops, theological instruction and retreats for parish leadership and volunteers.

Director of Faith Formation - 1989 to 1993
Our Lady of Grace Parish, Ballston Lake, NY

• Directed catechetical program for over 600 children, youth, adults and families. Recruited and expanded formation opportunities for 75 volunteer catechists.
• Initiated comprehensive youth ministry program in parish, recruited and supervised coordinator of youth ministry.
• Facilitated Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, planned and administered adult faith formation programs.
• Prepared and led family sessions for sacramental preparation.
• Developed diverse liturgies, workshops, and retreats for volunteers, children, adults, and the parish-at-large.

Pastoral Associate/RCIA Coordinator - 1987-1989
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Rutland, VT

• Originated and administered catechetical component of RCIA.
• Planned liturgies as member of parish liturgy committee.
• Provided sacramental formation for adults/parents.
• Established and managed social outreach programs, including ministry to hospitalized and homebound.
• Created and led catechetical program for adolescents.

Workshops and Presentations

Market Your Ministry: "Selling" Your Programs so People will Come - Hands-on, all day seminar for learning how to promote your programs. Audience: Leaders

The Beatitudes of Catechist Recruitment - Consider these 8 "beatitudes for recruiting and forming catechists.  Audience: leaders

Bringing The Gospel Stories to Life - 2 hours -- a walk through a 3 step method for doing biblical storytelling.  Audience: catechists of all ages

Lesson Planning with 'ER' and 'Survivor' - 2 hours   Audience: Catechists

Beyond the Baby Jesus: Discovering Easter Hope in Advent and Christmastide - 2 hours 
Audience: All

Churches Along the Information Superhighway - Strategies for using email in your program and developing a catechetical web site. - 2-3 hours.
Audience: parish leaders

The Church Emerging from Vatican II - How Models and images of the Church, plus the Documents of Vatican II, especial Lumen Gentium, affect our life in the Church today.

• presented as undergraduate course at Mount Saint Mary's University, Emmitsburg
• presented as 8 Session course for Archdiocesan Church Leadership Institute

Evangelization in the General Directory for Catechesis - What does it mean? - 1 hour
Audience: leaders, teachers, volunteers

We Believe, Lord! An overview of the Nicene Creed and its significance for our teaching ministry. - 4 hours
Audience: teachers, volunteers, general

Make the Internet Work for You! - Invaluable resources to help you prepare for your sessions, plus fun and safe activities to lead learners to "all things Catholic" online. - 2 hours
Audience: leaders, volunteers

Who Do YOU Say That I Am? Sharing the Story and Images of Jesus - Scriptural images and teaching about Jesus in our Profession of Faith, plus ways to effectively share the stories of Jesus with our learners. - 2 hours
Audience: teachers, volunteers, general

Theology for Ministry - 8 session course offered as part of the Archdiocesan Church Leadership Institute

Connecting with the Learner of Today and Tomorrow - Multiple Intelligences - 1-2 hours
Audience: leaders, volunteers

Creative Discipline - A look at how to effectively prepare the environment for your sessions, plus what to do when things go wrong!  - 2 hours
Audience: volunteers

Recruiting, Supporting, and Retaining Volunteer Catechists - All day workshop offered to catechetical leaders, part of the DRE Skills Development workshops offered by the National Conference of Catechetical Leadership (NCCL)  Audience: leaders

Articles 
Challenges of Hope from Spe Salvi: How will living in hope transform my life of faith?
Originally published in Catechetical Leader Magazine, May/June 2008  -- [click here for my revised PDF version]

- [Click here for archive of articles published monthly online in the Director's Desk ]

Ten Tips for the Effective Recruitment of Catechists
Does the thought of recruiting catechists for next year push a little panic button inside you? Begin now with these field-tested ideas in order to get a jump-start on next year's program. - Religion Teacher's Journal, April/May 2004

Advice from Master Catechists
Columnist in Monthly Forum, Catechist Magazine, 2003-Present

Patron Companions
Journeying through the year with a saint can help your learners discover the meaning of holiness for their lives. - Catechist Magazine, October 2002

Living - and Forgiving - for the Lord - A Catechetical Sunday Commissioning - Catechist Magazine, September 2002

Countdown to Pentecost (Part of The Effective DRE Series) Pentecost is meant to be a highpoint in the liturgical year, but how often we miss the opportunity to celebrate all that it means. Here are some concrete, creative ideas for your to implement with your parish family.- Religion Teacher's Journal, April/May, 2002

Journey to Jerusalem for Catechists: Wandering through the Gospels of Lent to Pentecost - Catechist Magazine, February 2002

Beyond the Baby Jesus: Discovering Easter Hope in Advent and Christmastide - Catechist Magazine, November/December 2001

Love Beyond All Telling: A Catechetical Sunday Commissioning Celebration - Catechist Magazine, September 2001
I have contributed a Catechetical Sunday commissioning to Catechist for the past five years.

USCCB Catechetical Sunday Kit, 2001, 2002 - Contributing author

USCCB Catechetical Sunday Kit - 2003-2005 - Assistant Editor

The Beatitudes of Catechist Recruitment - Catechist Magazine, April/May 2001

Memberships

• National Association of Lay Ministers
• National Conference of Catechetical Leadership
• National Catholic Education Association
• Association of Professional Youth Ministers (APYM), Archdiocese of Baltimore
• Baltimore Association of Catechetical Ministers (BACM)
• Frederick County Catholic Schools Coordinating Committee