A parish is a community of faith of the Christian faithful established within a diocese. The pastoral care of a parish is entrusted to a pastor under the authority of the diocesan bishop. The parish is the preeminent place for the catechesis of adults, youth, and children. Pastors have the duty to provide catechesis for all ages and parishioners have the reciprocal duty to participate in and support the catechetical activities of the parish. Parish catechetical plans should be in harmony with the catechetical goals and objectives of the diocese. (National Directory of Catechesis, 60).
The Department of Lifelong Faith Formation exists to serve the varied needs of parishes and their leaders throughout the Diocese of Buffalo.
The single most critical factor in an effective parish catechetical program is the leadership of a professionally trained parish catechetical leader who works under the direction of the pastor. Parishes must allocate essential resources to obtain a competent and able parish catechetical leader. (NDC, 224).
We can assist pastors & pastoral administrators to recruit and retain competent lay ecclesial ministers to serve your parish as a director of faith formation, religious education, catechesis, etc. Our priority is directed toward parish leadership so that comprehensive and systematic catechesis takes place that is on-going and lifelong for Catholics of all ages. In addition to on-site visits, the following resources are also available:
For more information, please email mcoates@buffalodiocese.org.