Catechists and Catholic school teachers may also attend classes for credit in the diocesan catechist formation process, Sullivan said. “All catechists and teachers are required to engage in ongoing learning in order to be more effective communicators of the Gospel to those to whom they are called to minister,” he said.

In addition to adult faith classes many parishioners will also be participating in the third year of Renew International’s Why Catholic? program. This year’s book covers the Christian moral tradition and Catholic social teaching. Last year 90 parishes and nearly 5,000 participants participated in Why Catholic?

The diocese also partners with the University of Dayton’s Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF) to offer online enrichment opportunities.  Participants from the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois can take VLCFF courses at half-price ($40 per course).  Additional information, including a schedule of courses, can be found at vlc.udayton.edu.

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki noted that “the faithful, by virtue of their baptism, are responsible for spreading the Gospel to the world. “

“In order to do so we must be informed about — and formed by — the faith we profess,” Bishop Paprocki said. “I pray that, through the study of the teaching of the church, the faithful of our diocese will both deepen their understanding of our Catholic faith and be emboldened to share that faith with others.”

Fliers of courses offered in each deanery will be mailed to all pastors, DREs/CREs and principals. To register, call the contact names in the schedule or ask for a flier from your pastor, DRE/CRE or principal.  More information about adult formation opportunities is available at www.dio.org/catechesis.