The Department of Catholic Schools serves as a liaison to all parish and diocesan schools ensuring the opportunity for a 21st century education rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We assist the bishop in proclaiming the Gospel through the Religious Education activities of the diocese. Our mission is to support life-long growth in faith for all adults, youth, and children, to bring people to Jesus Christ and help them grow as disciples.
We educate and support professional parish religion education leaders who are able to respond competently and compassionately and provide vision for individuals and families to bring them to Christ. Opportunities for continuing education and networking are provided for all those who lead parish programs.
The Holy Innocents Society is a Diocesan Society consisting of a federation of the four county chapters of the Diocese. The Society is dedicated to the spiritual welfare of Special Children of all ages who have developmental disabilities.
Small Christian Community (SCC) as a gathering of 8-12 people who pray, share, support one another, learn, and go forth in mission, evangelizing one another for others and for our culture. Ministries, staffs, and committees may also include such elements into their meetings, thus becoming ministerial Small Christian Communities. The Scriptures as they appear in the Catholic Bible or in a lectionary are foundational to all sharing, but Church teachings and even secular documents may also be used.
The Diocese Ministry Certificate Program will provide CORE theology (online and in person) and will then partner with the various diocesan offices to give SPECIALIZATION training in nine ministries: Catechetical Leadership, Catholic Social Services, Diocesan Tribunal Advocacy, Liturgy and Music, Marriage and Family Life, New Evangelization and Adult Faith Formation, Pastoral Care, RCIA Ministry and Youth Ministry.
Whether you are seeking Baptism into the Catholic Church, or are from another Christian tradition, we have a pathway to help you respond more deeply to the movement of God in your life and prepare you to take your place in the Catholic community. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is designed to form disciples of Jesus into the fullness of Christian life.
The Institute for Lay Ecclesial Ministry (ILEM) provides formation for professional ministry to those who have leadership positions in the Church. "Lay persons who devote themselves permanently or temporarily to some special service of the Church are obliged to acquire the appropriate formation which is required to fulfill their function properly and to carry it out conscientiously, zealously, and diligently." -Code of Canon Law, Canon 231