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Diana Dudoit Raiche, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Catechetics and Pastoral Ministry

Diana Dudoit Raiche, Ph.D., shares her expertise in catechesis with ministry students, propelling them to pass on the faith through teaching youth, young adults and adult communities across the nation. 

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Education

Ph.D., The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.
M.A., University of San Diego, San Diego, CA
B.S., McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA

Academic Appointments

University of Dallas

Assistant Professor of Theology, 2011-present

Loyola University

Adjunct Faculty, 1999

Administrative Positions

National Catholic Educational Association 
Executive Director, NCEA Department of Religious Education, 2003-2011
Assistant Executive Director, NCEA Department of Religious Education, 2000-2003
Manager, RE Assessments, NCEA Department of Religious Education, 1997-2000

St. James Catholic Community
Director of Catechetical Ministry, 1987-1995
Director of the Catechumenate, 1990-1995

Select Publications

Diana Dudoit Raiche, Ph.D., has written articles and reviews in a variety of publications including Catechumenate: Journal of Christian Initiation, Seminary Journal, Momentum: Official Journal of the NCEA, Religion Teachers Journal and Catechetical Leader. She served as acquisitions editor for fifteen NCEA publications, with two books having received  second place from Catholic Book Publishers. She was also general editor for Into the Fields: Catechist and Teacher Formation of the Whole Community – Spiritual Exercises by Dan Shutte, Twenty-third Publications, 2006. Some of her publications include the following; download her CV for a more complete listing.

  • “What is at Stake in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Adapted for Children?,” Catechumenate: A Journal of Christian Initiation (July 2013).
  • “Priest as Catechetical Leader,” Seminary Journal (Fall 2011).
  • “Reflecting on Mystagogy Again,” Catechumenate: A Journal of Christian Initiation (May 2005).
  • “Continuing Education for Priests: Catechesis in the Third Millennium,” Seminary Journal (Spring 2005).
  • “Focus on Children” in Catechumenate: An Inspiration for All Catechesis, ed. J. Sinwell, (NCEA 2001).
  • “Toward an Understanding of the Rite of Scrutiny and the Penitential Rite in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults,” Catechumenate: Journal of Christian Initiation (March 2001). 

Research Insights

Dr. Raiche reflects on her most recent work "Liturgical Catechesis and Catholic Identity" in Prisms of Faith: Perspectives on Religious Education and the Cultivation of Catholic Identity, edited by Robert E. Alvis and Ryan LaMothe, 90-112. 

"Liturgical Catechesis and Catholic Identity"

In the Author's Words 

Liturgy is formative, contributing to Catholic Identity. To make the formative nature of liturgy more explicit, the General Directory for Catechesis and the National Directory for Catechesis highlight the integration of liturgy and catechesis through liturgical catechesis. Such integration draws upon the inductive as well as deductive operations of both liturgy and catechesis. Liturgy as formation depends on an experience of liturgy that includes and goes beyond learning about liturgy. Those who participate in liturgy also need to reflect on the liturgical experience and the languages of liturgy in relation to life experience. Such liturgical language goes beyond official prayers and assembly responses.  It includes biblical and liturgical signs, symbols and images; ritual movements and gestures in the context of worship and prayer as a gathered assembly; and, appropriate liturgical music, which can reinforce scriptural texts and images that touch a person affectively.  Liturgy as formative intends to contribute to and support conversion to Jesus Christ, compel participants to desire intimate communion with Christ, and transform human thoughts, beliefs, behaviors and practices in conformity to the mission Christ left to the Church. Conversion, communion and transformation, constitutive of Catholic Identity, demand an explicit liturgical catechesis to effect liturgy as formative. 

-Diana Dudoit-Raiche, Ph.D.

 

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Diana Dudoit Raiche, Ph.D., served as General Editor for this compilation of papers presented at The Catholic University of America and at Fordham University.

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Chapter five, "Liturgical Catechesis and Catholic Identity" was contributed by Dr. Raiche to this work on the theme of religious education and Catholic identity.

into the fields

Diana Dudoit Raiche, Ph.D., served as General Editor for "Into the Fields: Catechist and Teacher Formation of the Whole Community Spiritual Exercises" by Dan Shutte. 

 Professional Memberships

  • North American Academy of Liturgy, 2016-present
  • Association of Graduate Programs in Pastoral Ministry (AGPIM), 1997-present
  • National Conference of Catechetical Leadership (NCCL), 2003-present

Service Committees

  • Consultant, Bishops' Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis, USCCB, 2003-2011
raiche“ I want to help the next generation understand what it takes to be in pastoral ministry. Pastoral ministers need heart, knowledge, skills and a profound commitment to the spiritual life.  ”- Diana Dudoit Raiche, Ph.D.

Curriculum Vitae

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