Office of Faith Formation

Mission Statement

The Office of Faith Formation operates in the context of the ongoing evangelization and conversion process that is the goal of the Church for every Christian. We provide accompaniment, support, consultation, coordination, and skills training so that those serving in faith formation may effectively grow in and find success in ministry of catechesis. We strive to provide the encouragement, challenge and leadership for mission, purpose and commitment to life-long faith formation in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.

Pastoral Goals

      Leadership Development

• Offer pastoral care, support, and training in pastoral care for those in faith formation ministry
• Implement standards and competencies for catechetical leaders
• Conduct quarterly in-service meetings for Parish Formation Leaders
• Provide ministry formation and certification for catechists and other leaders that covers the three dimensions of:
  • becoming a witness of faith and accompanying others in on-going formation in a way that is serene and fraternal
  • developing familiarity with Sacred Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church and magisterial documents
  • growing as an effective educator and communicator so as to enable maturation of the faith.

 Communication and Collaboration

• Consultation (on-site or remotely) with clergy and Parish Formation Leaders, catechists, and parents
• Communication and resources that help Parish Formation Leaders implement archdiocesan sacramental preparation policies and guidelines
• Communication and collaboration with all pastoral ministries
• Communication, representation, and collaboration with the Province of Santa Fe Diocesan Directors (5 dioceses: Gallup, Las Cruces, Phoenix, Santa Fe and Tucson) and Episcopal Region XIII (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming)
• Communication and collaboration with national organizations such as In Word and Witness (formerly NCCL), NFCYM, CCMA, NPCD, NCEA, and NALM
• Communication and collaboration with Archdiocesan Faith Formation Advisory Council
• Communication of recommendations and best practices for all who move in faith formation ministry

Introductory Statement

The more the Church, whether on the local or the universal level, gives catechesis priority over other works and undertakings, the results of which would be more spectacular, the more she finds in catechesis a strengthening of her internal life as a community of believers and of her external activity as a missionary Church. The Church is bidden by God and by events – each of them a call from Him – to renew her trust in catechetical activity as a prime aspect of her mission. She is bidden to offer catechesis her best resources, in people and energy, without sparing effort, toil or material means, in order to organize it better and to train qualified personnel.

Apostolic Exhortation of His Holiness Pope John Paul II
Catechesi Tradendae (CT) – #15
On Catechesis in Our Time
(St. Paul Editions, 1979)

Formation is an ongoing process that, under the guidance of the Spirit and in the living womb of the Christian community, helps the baptized person to take shape, which is that of being a son [or daughter] of God in profound communion with his [her] brothers [and sisters].  The work of formation acts as a transformation of the person, who internalizes the evangelical message existentially and in such a way that it may be light and guidance for his ecclesial life and mission.

Directory For Catechesis (DC) – #131                                                                Pontifical Council for the Promotions of the New Evangelization                                (US Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2020)

Important Catechetical Documents

• The Documents of the Second Vatican Council, 1962-65 (http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/index.htm)
• Evangelii Nuntiandi, Pope Paul VI, 1975 (http://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_p-vi_exh_19751208_evangelii-nuntiandi.html)
• Catechesi Tradendae, Pope John Paul II, 1979 (http://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_16101979_catechesi-tradendae.html)
• Catechism of the Catholic Church, (Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica), USCCB 1994 (https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM & https://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism_sp/index_sp.html)
• Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis, 2013 (http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html)
• Laudato Si: Pope Francis, 2015 (https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html)
• Gaudete et Exsultate, Pope Francis, 2018 (http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20180319_gaudete-et-exsultate.html)
• Christus Vivit, Pope Francis, 2019 (http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20190325_christus-vivit.html)
• Fratelli Tutti,: Pope Francis, 2020 (http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20201003_enciclica-fratelli-tutti.html)

• The Directory for Catechesis, Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, 2020 (Directorio para la Catequesis – disponible en Español)
• Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework for the Development of Catechetical Materials for Young People of High School Age, USCCB, 2007 (https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/catechesis/upload/high-school-curriculum-framework.pdf)
• National Directory for Catechesis, (Directorio Nacional para la Catequesis – disponible en Espanol) USCCB, 2005
• Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry (Renovemos la Visión –  disponible en Español), USCCB, 1997 (https://www.usccb.org/topics/youth-and-young-adult-ministries/renewing-vision)
• Sons and Daughters of the Light: A Pastoral Plan for Ministry with Young Adults, USCCB, 1996  (https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/who-we-teach/young-adults/sons-and-daughters-of-light)

Other Links

• Current List of Approved Catechetical Texts and Series from the Office for the Catechism, U.S. Catholic Bishops Change to Conformity List of Approved Catechetical Tests from the Office for the Catechism, USCCB (https://www.usccb.org/resources/Current%20Conformity%20List.pdf)
• US Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis (https://www.usccb.org/committees/evangelization-catechesis)
• National Catholic Educational Association
• National Conference of Catechetical Leadership.
• In Word and Witness (https://inwordandwitness.org/)
• National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM)  (https://nfcym.org)
• Catholic Campus Ministry Association (https://www.ccmanetwork.org/)