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Faith Formation


 

Faith formation opportunities abound in the Diocese of Grand Rapids. Our diocese and parishes offer a rich variety of classes and programs designed for children, adults, and those with special needs. We also provide resources for catechists to help them share the faith with others.

Catechists and Catechetical Leaders

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Catechetical Certification

Echoing the Gospel, the Catechetical Certification program in the Diocese of Grand Rapids was developed to assist catechists who have heard God’s call to share the Gospel with others. In order to be effective in this ministry, the catechist must understand, love, live and proclaim the Christian message with enthusiasm and a sense of conviction. This proclamation of the Gospel in the parish community strives to lead students to a deepening knowledge about the faith, a greater participation in the liturgy, a prayerful connection to their God and a dedication of service to others.

The purpose of a catechist formation is to:

  • Provide opportunities for the spiritual growth of the catechist
  • Provide an increase in the theological knowledge of the catechist
  • Provide opportunities for the catechist to expand their skills in teaching.

Catechetical Policy: Echoing the Gospel

Parish CatechistsParish Staff


Catholic School Principals and Teachers

Parish Catechists

Application

Catholic School Principals & Teachers

ApplicationRenewal Form

Resources

The apostolic work of the catechist springs from the sacrament of Baptism. It is strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation. The call to the ministry of catechist is a vocation, an interior call, the voice of the Holy Spirit. Catechists need to be practicing Catholics who participate fully in the communal worship and life of the Church and who have been prepared for their apostolate by appropriate catechetical training. Their commissioning by the Church is a participation in the divine calling to teach as Jesus did. (National Directory of Catechesis, 228-9)

 

Catechesis

Catechesis is a much richer process than intellectual formation. It seeks to help one grow in relationship with Jesus Christ and his Church through the implementation of the six tasks outlined in the General Directory for Catechesis:

  • Promotion of knowledge of the Faith
  • Promotion of liturgical worship and participation in the sacramental life of the Church
  • Integration of moral formation into a Christian way of life
  • Teaching to pray in Christ, with Christ, and in communion with the Church
  • Initiation into the life of the local church community and active participation in the life of the Church
  • Promotion of a missionary spirit to witness to Christ in society

Catechesis for Children and Youth

Parishes in our diocese offer catechetical programs for families, children, and youth not attending a Catholic school or they collaborate with neighboring parishes to offer such programs.

Parish catechetical curriculum is designed to:
  • - Invite ongoing conversation and an encounter with Jesus Christ in holiness of life (formation)
  • - Educate on the basics of the Catholic faith (doctrine)
  • - Call each person, in their own unique way, to act as a disciple (discipleship)

We provide formation training, resources, and support for parish catechetical programs, sacramental preparation and safe environment awareness.

Catechesis for Persons with Disabilities

Strengthened in Faith is an initiative of the Diocese of Grand Rapids to include all children and youth in catechetical and youth ministry programs. We assist parishes in opening their doors to welcome persons with disabilities, and their families, into the full life of the Church.Strategies, best practices and resources exist that support the inclusion of diverse learners.

Learn more:
Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities
Pastoral Statement by U.S. Catholic Bishops on People with Disabilities
Welcome and Justice for Persons with Disabilities
National Catholic Partnership on Disability

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Sensory-Friendly Mass

Every first Sunday of the month at 2:00 PM, join us for a sensory-friendly Mass at St John Paul II Parish in Cedar Springs!

By providing a less stimulating environment, the sensory-friendly Mass benefits people with sensory processing issues, autism, cognitive and developmental disabilities as well as adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
 
Families and individuals are encouraged to get up and move if needed, to bring alternative seating, fidgets or noise cancelling headphones, and to participate in the liturgy just as they are.

Catechesis for Adults

Adult Catholics are calling on the Church to quench their thirst for a deepening of their lived faith. Parishes throughout the Diocese of Grand Rapids are responding to the need by offering a variety of adult faith formation opportunities. Contact a parish near you or visit our Events Calendar for opportunities throughout the diocese.

Resources from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:


Our Hearts were Burning Within Us: A Pastoral Plan for Adult Faith Formation in the United States

Disciples Called to Witness: The New Evangelization

Faith Formation Partners

  • The Catholic Information Center

  • The Lakeshore Academy for the New Evangelization

  • The Catholic Information Center serves Catholics and spiritual seekers in Western Michigan by offering classes and programs to help people learn, celebrate, live and pray the Catholic faith. The Center’s programs are offered in the welcoming spirit of the Paulist Fathers whose mission is to give the good news of Jesus a voice in today’s world. The Center also offer institutes to equip Catholics with knowledge and skills to become leaders in their parishes.

    Register for upcoming programs at 616.459.7267 or email [email protected]. Choose to attend on site or online (Zoom). For a full list of upcoming programs, visit catholicinformationcenter.org.

  • The Lakeshore Academy for the New Evangelization (LANE) offers classes and retreats for adults, faith formation for children and educational resources for families.

    Adult Classes: Access to our digital library of new and archived classes is now free! This winter we are offering a class on the Catholic devotional life that will focus on the teachings of St. Francis de Sales and other spiritual masters. Participate in person at Our Lady of the Lake in Holland or online.

    Family Resources: Strengthen your domestic church with a free library of resources to help parents and children to grow in their faith together all year long. “Growing Families Through the Mass” and “What Not to Miss at Mass” are perfect for the National Eucharistic Revival!

    Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation: LANE Kids courses are interactive, engaging, and fun! Each online course adheres to the standards put in place by the Diocese of Grand Rapids for children’s catechesis and sacramental preparation. They’re perfect for online homeschooling.

    Parish Partnerships: Make LANE your parish’s faith formation solution! LANE offers parish programs for adults, families, and kids.

    Learn more and enroll today at lanecatholic.org.

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