Catechetical Formation

The Church has always considered catechesis one of her primary tasks, for, before Christ ascended to His Father after His resurrection, He gave the apostles a final command – to make disciples of all nations and to teach them to observe all that He had commanded. —Pope St. John Paul the II, Catechesi Tradendae (On Catechesis in Our Time), 1979

The Office of Catechetical Formation develops guidelines and policies designed to create safe, nurturing, and effective religious education programs at the parish level.

The Office also provides for the ongoing formation of leaders who administer and catechists who teach in these programs. Together, these efforts capacitate the local Church to fulfill the promise made to parents at Baptism when the priest or deacon says on behalf of the community: “[W]e offer you our support in raising your child in the practice of the faith.” At the baptism of their child, parents also accept the primary responsibility and duty to train their child in the practice of the Catholic faith. The Office of Catechetical Formation takes seriously its mission to support the religious education of children that begins at home and is developed in parish programs throughout the diocese.

For more information about how the Office of Catechetical Formation can support you, please contact us.