Formed In Faith

Tomorrow (9/3/26) is the deadline to register for Cycle 6 classes with VLCFF. This online courses are a convenient way to earn your professional development and formation catechist credits while working to deepen your own knowledge and faith.

Below is the list of VCLFF classes in Cycle 6.

Cycle 6: September 7 – October 11, 2026(Registration: Opens July 22, 2026; Closes September 3, 2026)

• Advanced Catholic Social Teaching (SJ)
• Angels in the Bible
• Basics of Catechist Formation 1.2: Vocation of the Catechist (Sem)
• Bible Basics
• Catholic Beliefs
• Catholic Identity and Culture (Sem)
• Church History 1
• Communication and Community
• Designing and Implementing Adult Learning and Faith Formation
• Directory for Catechesis: A General Overview and Reflection
• Ecclesiology: A Theological, Historical and Pastoral Summary (Sem)
• Ecclesiology: Pilgrim Church
• Faith Formation for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
• Images of Jesus
• Introduction to Pastoral Care
• Introduction to Prayer
• Introduction to Scripture
• Let This Be the Time: Spiritual Essentials for Life’s Second Act (Sem)
• Mary and Spirituality: A Journey of Holiness (MS)
• Music in Liturgy
• New Testament
• Old Testament
• Pastoral Approach to Culture
• Prophets
• Roman Catholic Catechesis for Faith Formation
• Sacraments
• Spirituality of the Missionary Disciple (Sem)
• Survey of Catholic Doctrine
• The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA): A Process, N

Become a Student at VLCFF

It has arrived!  The Fall Catalogue for catechist classes is now available.  We have a new format for the catalogue.  The link to view our class listing is still the same, https://archlouff.org/catechist-certification/catalogue/, but when you arrive on the landing page you will no longer click on the image of the catalogue and then view it as a PDF.  The landing page for the catalogue now has four link options for you to choose from.  For the most part this division of categories is the same as it has always been in the PDF format.  These options are:

• Archdiocese of Louisville Ministry Institute (ALMI)  
• Archdiocese of Louisville Ministry Institute (ALMI) Media Options
• Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation, University of Dayton
• Other programs’ offerings preapproved by ALMI in the Archdiocese of Louisville

We hope that this new format will make finding a class easier.  We will continue to work on the catalogue, and our blog, so it is always beneficial for all our religion teachers and catechists.

Just two quick highlights about our fall listing…

1. This fall we will be offering 3 classes with a Spanish speaking translator.  The translator has worked at many other formation events with the archdiocese including diaconate training and OCIA training.  The bilingual classes are open to all persons who speak either English or Spanish.  We look forward to learning together with catechists who speak either language.
2. On Sept. 19^th we have a special offering via ZOOM.  We will have a professor from Loyola University, New Orleans presenting on a catechetical method called Shared Christian Praxis.  This is a class that all persons in ministry (especially those in catechetical ministry) will benefit from attending.  We hope to have a sizable turnout for this session. 

Please share the catalogue with all religion teachers and catechists (children’s religious education teachers, bible study leaders, OCIA team, youth ministers, retreat leaders, etc.) who are interested in formation and professional development.

We hope everyone had a wonderful first few days of school!! The beginning of the school year can be whirlwind of laughs, tears, stresses, and blessings. We in the Office of Faith Formation are praying for you and your students. We are here to support you in your ministry as teachers and catechists.

One way we support you is by offering formation and professional develop opportunities throughout the year. We are putting the final touches on our Fall class catalogue. Until it arrives here is a sneak peak at September’s formation opportunities from our office.

The last week of July the Office of Faith Formation’s Archdiocese of Louisville Ministry Institute hosted 187 teachers and catechists for 14 different professional development and formation opportunities. Thank you to our many presenters who offer their time and talent to share their knowledge, expertise, and faith during our programs.

During that one week, 9 teachers completed their Associate level catechist certificate requirements, and 2 completed their Master level!!

Our Fall catalogue for classes will be available soon. We hope that if you are a religion teacher or catechist (parish catechist, bible study leader, youth minister, OCIA/RICA leader or team member, parish RE volunteer, etc.) that you will join us at one or more of our upcoming offerings.

LTP’s virtual training offerings combine thoughtful design, expert presenters, and dynamic technology to create an experience that feels engaging and personal. Rooted in proven adult learning practices, each session invites pastoral ministers, catechists, and parish leaders into meaningful formation that is practical, interactive, and immediately useful. Whether you are joining from your home, office, or parish, you become part of a vibrant learning community.

In this Digital Institute, participants will explore the four stages of initiation and the rituals that accompany them. Additionally, participants will break open six principles of initiation ministry, share practical ways they are realized in a parish, and reframe our obstacles and struggles as opportunities for growth, learning, and success. This institute will lay the foundation for Christian initiation ministry and is essential learning for anyone serving as a coordinator in a pastoral leadership role. Click here for more information.

Dates: 8/17/2026, 8/24/2026, 8/31/2026, Sessions run from 8:00-9:30pm ET (5:00-6:30pm PT) on Monday evenings.

The deadline to register for this event is August 10, 2026.

In addition to planning catechumenal formation and preparing ritual celebrations, there are many other responsibilities associated with the role of Christian initiation ministry coordinator. Rooted in a collaborative vision of ministry, this training will offer practical tools for attending to the many facets of this role and provide practical advice for turning obstacles into opportunities. The presenters will tackle team creation and formation, discernment, marriage and annulment issues, paperwork, collaboration with clergy, and more. Whether you recently volunteered for this important role, inherited it, or were convinced to assume it, the presenters will provide you with support and answer your questions. A basic understanding of the OCIA ritual text is a prerequisite to attend this series. Click here for more information.

Dates: 9/14/2026, 9/21/2026, 9/28/2026, Sessions run from 8:00-9:30pm ET (5:00-6:30pm PT) on Monday evenings.

The deadline to register for this event is September 7, 2026.

To view a complete list of upcoming Virtual Training Opportunities from LTP click here.

Did you know that catechists and teachers in the archdiocese are eligible to receive a stipend when they complete 15 catechist credits? Simply fill out the required form and send it with the supporting documents to the Office of Faith Formation. Click here to find the form.

Did you know that in the Overview of Catechetical Ministry Part II class participants work together as a group to develop a lesson plan using a method they learn in class? Some of those sample lesson plans have been shared on our blog and can be found here.

Did you know that EMHC training with the Office of Worship is eligible for catechist credit? Here is the link for the upcoming training schedule. Contact Lynn in the Faith Formation Office after you attend training to ask about getting catechist credit.