Bill Huebsch has become well-known in catechetical circles for being a principal developer of the Whole Community Catechesis of faith formation and education being used by parishes throughout the L.A. Archdiocese and the United States.

But as a longtime DRE in a suburban Minneapolis parish, he has not forgotten his religious education roots, which is why he is involved in a program that promotes not simply broader knowledge, but a deeper faith and spirituality for teachers and catechists --- especially those new to the ministry.

"Into the Fields" is a formation process, designed with busy volunteers or school teachers in mind, in both English and Spanish, and produced by Twenty-Third Publications in partnership with the Loyola University (New Orleans) Pastoral Life Center. Rooted in Scripture, liturgy and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the process offers a review of Catholic teaching, assistance in collaborative teaching methods, and a series of spiritual exercises that, together, offer a single, integrated formation process.

"If you're like a lot of other teachers and catechists --- no matter what age of person with whom you work --- a tiny bit of panic sets in before each religion class or session," Huebsch observes. "Teachers often ask, 'Who am I to be leading others on their faith journey?' They might feel they don't know all the answers, or that they're simply not ready to do this. But people are counting on them."

Huebsch notes that volunteer catechists come from many ranks, including other avenues of parish ministry and professional school teachers. But more often they may be accountants, nurses, grocery store clerks, farmers and stay-at-home parents.

But not even professional teachers, and certainly not other occupations, receive in-depth training to teach religion to others. "They're expected to help their students, whether children or adults, deepen the experience of Christ in their lives," says Huebsch, "to lead them to understand what it means to really live as a Catholic Christian: with forgiveness, generosity, justice and peace."

"Into the Fields" is a three-dimensional approach, emphasizing:
---a deep personal spirituality;
---knowing well the content of the Catholic faith;
---and acquiring the skills and strategies to pass on the faith to others.

The spiritual exercises, prepared by composer Dan Schutte (whose songs include "Come With Me Into the Fields"), can be presented in a three-year approach in conjunction with reflections and acquiring skills. Year One offers basic catechetical skills and attitudes (e.g., "Liturgy as a Teaching Moment," "Using Scripture Effectively"); Year Two, styles of teaching and learning ("Teaching within Whole Community," "Using Technology"); Year Three, teaching specific Catholic topics ("The Church," "Moral Decision Making," "Catholic Social Teaching").

A former administrator in the dioceses of Crookston and New Ulm, Minnesota, Huebsch notes that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles "leads the nation in the quality and depth of the formation programs offered to teachers and catechists. For many years, under the leadership of archdiocesan staff and with the support of the whole archdiocese, teachers and catechists have been attending classes, reflecting on their own practices, and growing in both personal faith and the skills to pass that faith on to others."

"These three dimensions are each part of every session, integrating and connecting spirituality with content with skills," says Huebsch. "It's a powerful way to learn and grow.

"The work we all do as teachers and catechists is vital for the church. This makes it all the more urgent that we carefully and intentionally form ourselves to do it."

For information on "Into the Fields," call (800) 321-0411 or email IntoTheFields@TwentyThirdPublications.com.