Elementary Formation    Adult Formation

Religious Education/Faith Formation

The Office of Religious Education/Formation Ministries of the Diocese of Colorado Springs is committed to assisting the faithful in understanding and living out their faith. This office assists Bishop Sheridan and the Parishes to promote life-long Christian formation in the Diocese by:

• Encouraging, supporting and preparing parish leaders and catechists to foster a deep and loving knowledge of the person and message of Jesus Christ.
• Developing, implementing and evaluating programs designed to contribute to the life-long formation of children, youth, young adults and adults.
• Collaborating with other offices and agencies to carry out the Church’s mission to teach the Gospel, to form people for worship, to share and foster community, and to serve others in Christ’s name.

Catechesis, an essential component of the Church’s mission, is a lifelong process for the individual and a constant and concerted pastoral activity of the Christian community. In accordance with Scripture and the Tradition of the Catholic Church, we recognize Jesus Christ as the first and last reference of this catechesis. In accordance with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, we seek to encourage and inform a full and active faith, based on the certainty that God’s revelation teaches the most important truths a person can know.

Catechesis, no matter what its form, involves four main tasks:

• Proclaiming the Christian message
• Building up a sense of community
• Preparing for prayer and worship
• Motivating to Christian living and service

In parishes, catechesis takes place in a variety of ways:

• Religious education programs for children, youth and adults
• Parent meetings
• Family gatherings
• Youth Ministry
• Preparation for Sacraments
• Christian initiation of adults and children

In regard to Christian religious education and formation, we believe:

• That the family in all its forms is the primary and fundamental context for religious education and formation;
• That the continuing education of adults is at the center of the Church’s educational mission;
• That parents have the prime responsibility for the faith formation of their children;
• That education is a process of formation;
• That the process of formation is a lifelong task;
• That the lifelong process of formation involves the total person – body, mind, will, emotions and spirit;
• That the goals of education are lifelong personal conversion, the formation of a faith community, and the enabling of people to become agents of transformation in the world;
• That worship, community and service are all formative means of education;
• That, in carrying out its teaching mission, the Church is called to be a responsible steward for the physical, fiscal and human resources entrusted to its care.