"The formation of catechists is nothing other than an assistance for them in identifying with the living and actual awareness that the Church has of the Gospel, in order to make them capable of transmitting it in her name." General Directory for Catechesis, 236

About the Program

The Archdiocese of Toronto and Saint Monica Institute, in partnership with the Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF) at the University of Dayton, provides formation programs for those involved in catechetical ministry in the Archdiocese of Toronto. This includes those who are involved in Sacramental Preparation (both for children/teens and adults) but also in a variety of other ministries that are also catechetical. This includes, but is not limited to, liturgical ministers, ministers with maturing adults, ministers to the sick and homebound, family life ministers, stewardship committee members, and many more.

There are two program options:

1. The 5 Course Program has a focus on Sacramental Preparation for children/teens or RCIA.
2. The 4 Course Program has the option to allow the participant to take one course in an area more specific to their ministry. This includes Scripture, Liturgy, and Maturing Adults.

Each program has the same fundamental features, including:

• Facilitated by archdiocesan staff
• Paced, weekly online learning
• Opportunities to share, learn, reflect, and pray with other catechists from other parishes in the Archdiocese of Toronto
• Ongoing faith formation
• Certificate of Completion

Prerequisites for both programs:

• Approval of pastor (hard copy or by email)
• $250 deposit that is refundable after the entire program is completed
• Plus the cost of books

Fall Registration coming soon

The 5 Course Program Option (Sacramental Preparation or RCIA)

• Online Orientation Session
  Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 7-8 p.m.

A. 5 Online Courses (5 weeks each)

1. Starting Anew From Christ: On Being a Catechist
   October 16-November 19, 2023
   
   
2. Survey of Catholic Doctrine
   January 15-February 18, 2024
   
   
3. Introduction to the Sacraments of Initiation (three-week seminar) 
   March 4-March 24, 2024
   
   
4. Survey of Catholic Doctrine Part 2
   April 8-May 12, 2024
   
   
5. Specialized Course
   May 20-June 23, 2024
   
   Participants will choose one of the following elective courses:

1. 1. RCIA - includes one online seminar with Michelle Brylowski Wednesday, June 5, or Sunday, June 9, 2024;
   2. Bible Basics;
   3. Disabilities in Parish Life;
   4. Foundations for Liturgy;
   5. Praying with Children;
   6. Prayer and Worship with Adolescents;
   7. Depending upon numbers Praying with Children and Prayer and Worship with Adolescents could be offered in alternate years.

B. 6 Seminars
*subject to change (last updated April 2nd, 2024)

1. Walking with Mary through the Liturgical Year
   Presenters: Dr. Connie Price & Michelle Brylowski 
   Sunday, January 14, 2024, 2-4 p.m.
   Location: Online
   
   
2. Spirituality of the Catechist
   Presenter: Dr. Connie Price & Leslie Miller
   Wednesday, January 24, 2024, 7-9 p.m.
   Location: Online 
   
   
3. Visio Divina (Preparation for Lent using Sacred Art)
   Presenter: Leslie Miller 
   Sunday, February 4, 2024, 7-8:30 p.m.
   Location: Online 
   
   
4. Tools and Resources for Catechesis, Part One - Primary Resources
   Presenter: Dr. Connie Price 
   Sunday, March 3, 2024, 2-4 p.m.
   Location: Online
   
   
5. Tools and Resources for Catechesis, Part Two - Secondary Resources and Practical Strategies for Catechesis
   Presenter: Dr. Connie Price & Leslie Miller
   Sunday, April 7, 2024, 2-5 p.m.
   Location: Online
   
   
6. Catechesis in the Language of the Church
   Presenter: Anna Boyagoda 
   Sunday, May 26, 2024, 2-4 p.m.
   Location: *Catholic Pastoral Centre 1155 Yonge Street Toronto, ON M4T 1W2

C. Closing Retreat

• Virtuous Leadership
  Presenter: Dr. Josephine Lombardi
  
  
• Mass and Blessing of Catechists
  Archbishop Francis Leo
  
  
• Lunch for Participants
  
  Saturday, June 22, 2024, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
  Location: St. Augustine's Seminary 2661 Kingston Rd., Scarborough, ON M1M 1M3
  
  

The 4 Course Program Option (Scripture, Liturgy, and Maturing Adults)

• Online Orientation Session
  Wednesday, January 10, 2024, 7-8 p.m.

A. 4 Online Courses (3 or 5 weeks each depending on the course)

1. Starting Anew From Christ: On Being a Catechist
   January 15-February 18, 2024
   
   
2. Introduction to the Sacraments of Initiation (three-week seminar)
   March 4-March 24, 2024
   
   
3. Survey of Catholic Doctrine 
   April 8-May 12, 2024
   
   
4. Survey of Catholic Doctrine Part 2 or Specialized Course
   May 20-June 23, 2024
   
   Participants will choose one of the following elective courses:

1. 1. RCIA - includes one online seminar with Michelle Brylowski Wednesday, June 5, or Sunday, June 9, 2024;
   2. Bible Basics;
   3. Disabilities in Parish Life;
   4. Foundations for Liturgy;
   5. Praying with Children;
   6. Prayer and Worship with Adolescents;
   7. Depending upon numbers Praying with Children and Prayer and Worship with Adolescents could be offered in alternate years.

B. 6 Seminars
*subject to change (last updated April 2nd, 2024)

1. Walking with Mary through the Liturgical Year
   Presenters: Dr. Connie Price & Michelle Brylowski 
   Sunday, January 14, 2024, 2-4 p.m.
   Location: Online
   
   
2. Spirituality of the Catechist
   Presenter: Dr. Connie Price & Leslie Miller
   Wednesday, January 24, 2024, 7-9 p.m.
   Location: Online 
   
   
3. Visio Divina (Preparation for Lent using Sacred Art)
   Presenter: Leslie Miller 
   Sunday, February 4, 2024, 7-8:30 p.m.
   Location: Online 
   
   
4. Tools and Resources for Catechesis, Part One - Primary Resources
   Presenter: Dr. Connie Price 
   Sunday, March 3, 2024, 2-4 p.m.
   Location: Online
   
   
5. Tools and Resources for Catechesis, Part Two - Secondary Resources and Practical Strategies for Catechesis
   Presenter: Dr. Connie Price & Leslie Miller 
   Sunday, April 7, 2024, 2-5 p.m.
   Location: Online 
   
   
6. Catechesis in the Language of the Church
   Presenter: Anna Boyagoda 
   Sunday, May 26, 2024, 2-4 p.m.
   Location: *Catholic Pastoral Centre 1155 Yonge Street Toronto, ON M4T 1W2

C. Closing Retreat

• Virtuous Leadership
  Presenter: Dr. Josephine Lombardi
  
  
• Mass and Blessing of Catechists
  Archbishop Francis Leo
  
  
• Lunch for Participants
  
  Saturday, June 22, 2024, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
  Location: St. Augustine's Seminary 2661 Kingston Rd., Scarborough, ON M1M 1M3
  
  

Contact Details

If you have questions about the Archdiocesan Catechist Formation Program, please contact Constance Price, M.Div., Ph.D., Associate Director, Catechesis, at 416-934-3400, ext. 513 or cprice@archtoronto.org, or the Office of Formation for Discipleship at 416-934-3400, ext. 523 or formation@archtoronto.org.