Diocese of Springfield in Illinois

Catechists Formation

"[T]he formation of catechists requires particular attention because the quality of the pastoral initiatives is necessarily connected to the person who bring them into being"
- (Directory for Catechesis 130).

The Catechist Formation Process of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois is a religious studies and Christian experience process that is required for all catechists and Catholic school teachers in the diocese. The process is offered and administered by the Evermode Institute in collaboration with the Office for Catechesis. Its general purpose is to provide opportunities for catechists to enrich their love and knowledge of the Catholic faith to be more effective communicators of the Gospel to those whom they are called to minister.

Evermode Institute Registration

Catechist Days

Catechist Days are workshops and seminars that supplement the Catechist Formation Process by providing formation on topics not addressed in the core curriculum from the Evermode Institute. Topics can be specific areas that help catechists and Catholic school faculty improve their skills and can be unique to a parish based on the local need. For example, some parishes have a need for more formation on cultural diversity, or there may be a community dealing with a pastoral situation that people need more skills to address. Input is needed to identify topics that will meet your local needs. Please send any suggestions to [email protected].

Notes from the Fall 2022 Workshop

Catechist Retreat

Catechist formation includes an annual retreat at the Corpus Christi Priory. Typically held on Saturdays at different times of the year, the retreat is an opportunity for catechists to step away from the normal routine at home and in the parish and spend time renewing our spirits. Retreats start at 9:30 and conclude around 2:30 unless otherwise noted. Lunch is provided.

The Norbertines at the Corpus Christi Priory welcome guests to come early or stay later to join them in prayer. For current information about the daily schedule for the Priory, please visit https://corpuschristipriory.webflow.io/.

To register for a retreat, please complete the form below and send to [email protected]. Please note that each retreat day has a separate tab in the spreadsheet. Retreat dates are noted in the tab. Please also note any dietary restrictions when submitting a reservation.

• Catechist Retreat - November 15, 2025
• Catechist Retreat - March 21, 2026

University of Dayton's Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation

The Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation is an initiative to offer adult religious education and faith formation anytime and anywhere via the internet. The goal is to support the church's professional ministry of religious education and faith formation in cyberspace. Parish Catechetical Leaders are encouraged to pursue a Certificate in Catechesis from this program as part of your professional development in your leadership role. Catechists can benefit from participating in this program as well. While certification from VLCFF does not replace the Catechist Formation Process with the Evermode Institute, Parish Catechetical Leaders will learn valuable skills that will assist in the administration of parish programs. Grant money from the Religious Education and Catechist Formation Endowment can be used to cover expenses for participating in this certificate program.

Other certificate programs are available through VLCFF. As a partner diocese, students get a discount on course tuition.

• Certificate in Adult Formation Leadership
• Certificate in Catechesis
• Certificate in Faith-based Peer Support
• Certificate in Foundations for Leadership in Ministry
• Certificate in Liturgy
• Certificate in Marian Studies
• Certificate in Ministry with Persons with Disabilities
• Certificate in Social Justice
• Certificate in Youth Ministry

Quinceañera

The celebration of Quinceañera can be a wonderful opportunity for evangelization and catechesis. Several resources are available to help families and parishes participate more fully in this celebration.

• Order for the Blessing on the Fifteenth Birthday (Quinceañera) - USCCB
• Created for God: An 8-10 Week Bilingual Parish Formation Program for Young Women - Endow Groups
• Catholic Quince Prep - Agapè Catholic Ministries
• My 15th Birthday - Mis 15 Años - Bilingual Formation Program and Memory Book Revised - Diocese of San Bernardino
• Celebration Guidelines and Resources - Diocese of Fort Worth

If you have resources that work well in your ministry, please share them with the Office for Catechesis at [email protected].

Family Catechesis

More information to come! Until then, please visit https://www.ncclcatholicfamilies.org/. Our diocese is one of a handful of dioceses that are part of a pilot program to develop family catechesis resources.