ACRONYMS USED IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
AFF ................... Adult Faith Formation
ARE .................. Associate of Religious Education
CCC .................. Catechism of the Catholic Church
CRE .................. Coordinator of Religious Education
CREA ............... Cincinnati Religious Education Association
DOLP ............... Developing Our Leadership Potential
DRE. ................. Director of Religious Education
DREA ............... Dayton Religious Education Association
GDC.................. General Directory for Catechesis
LEM ................. Lay Ecclesial Minister
LPMP ............... Lay Pastoral Ministry Program
NACARE ......... National Advisory Committee on Adult Religious Education
NALM .............. National Association for Lay Ministry
NCCL ............... National Conference for Catechetical Leadership
NCEA ............... National Catholic Educational Association
NCEA ACRE ... Assessment of Children/Youth Religious Educationfrom the NCEA for grades
5, 8, 9, 11, &12.
NDC .................. National Directory for Catechesis
NFCYM ............ National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry
OCEA ............... Ohio Catholic Education Association
OCSAA............. Ohio Catholic Schools Accrediting Association
OEC .................. Office of Evangelization and Catechesis
OHWB.............. Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us: A Pastoral Plan for AFF from the USCC
RCIA ................ Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
SCC................... Small Christian Communities
USCCB ............. United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, formerly USCC and NCCB
VLCFF ............. Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation; Online courses from the
University of Dayton
CATECHETICAL TERMS
CANDIDATE…….. one who is preparing for full reception into the Catholic Church
CATECHETICAL LEADER…….. one who coordinates catechesis and other evangelizing activity
CATECHESIS…….. comprehensive formation into a Christian life of faith
CATECHIST…….. one who facilitates communication between a person and the mystery of God
CATECHUMEN…….. one who is preparing for baptism
CATECHUMENATE…….. period in the RCIA calling for the nurturing and growth in faith and
conversion to God
CERTIFICATION…….. Requirement for all Religion Teachers in the Archdiocese
ECHOES OF FAITH…….. a series of video based religion courses from RCL
EVANGELIZATION…….. carrying forth the good news to every sector of the human race so that by its
strength it may enter into the hearts of humanity and renew the human race
EVANGELIZING CATECHESIS…….. fostering a real process of conversion, helping Christians to
discern Gospel values and live them out in everyday life.
GRADED COURSE OF STUDY…….. a systematic effort at formal, organized catechesis schools and
parish religious education programs
INFUSION…….. group prayer involving listening and responding
LITURGICAL CATECHESIS…….. prepares for the celebration of the Christian liturgy and reflects
back upon that experience so that the symbols, the rites, and the environment of the liturgy lead the
community to full, conscious, and active participation
MAKE STRAIGHT the Way of the Lord…….. Cincinnati area summer program of adult religious
education
MYSTAGOGY…….. the time following initiation during the Easter Season in which the newly initiated
experience being fully a part of the Christian community by means of pertinent catechesis and particularly
by participation with all the faithful in the Sunday Eucharistic celebration
PURIFICATION AND ENLIGHTENMENT…….. period in the RCIA process usually occurring
during Lent calling for deeper conversion, spiritual recollection and repentance
RITE OF ACCEPTANCE…….. the liturgical rite marking the beginning of the catechumenate proper
as the candidates express and the Church accepts their intention to respond to God’s call to follow the
way of Christ
RITE OF ELECTION…….. Liturgical rite usually celebrated the first Sunday of Lent in which the
Church formally ratifies the catechumens; readiness for the sacraments of initiation and the catechumens,
now the elect, express the will to receive these sacraments.
SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION…….. three sacraments of full entry into the Church, Baptism,
Confirmation, Eucharist SOW AND REAP An award process to recognize outstanding religious
education
INTERPARISH GROUPS PROVIDING PROGRAMS FOR ADULT AND CATECHIST FORMATION
LEAVEN ........................ Northeast Cincinnati parishes
NOURISHING................ West Cincinnati parishes
REAP REWARDS.......... Northern Cincinnati parishes
SHARING....................... Northwest Cincinnati parishes
SOWERS ....................... Hamilton area parishes