“We are convinced that the energy and resources we devote to adult faith formation will strengthen and invigorate all the charisms that adults receive and the activities they undertake, in the Church and in society, to serve the Gospel of Christ and the people of today. Every Church ministry will be energized through a dynamic ministry of adult catechesis.”
Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us,
The Priority of Adult Faith formation -Section 3
A Pastoral Plan For Adult Faith Formation in the United States
By the U.S. Catholic Bishops
“…in everything we do commending ourselves as ministers of God…”
2 Corinthians 6:4
Adult Enrichment and Lay Ecclesial Ministry Office
St. Patrick School Building
625 Park Avenue
Johnstown, PA 15902
Phone: (814) 361-2000
Deacon Michael Russo
Director
E-Mail: mrusso@dioceseaj.org
Mrs. Marybeth Heinze
Administrative Assistant
E-mail: mheinze@dioceseaj.org
How We Teach
In his last words to the apostles, Jesus gave them a mission:
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Mt 28:19-20)
Thus, the teaching mission of the Church comes from Christ himself. The responsibility for fulfilling that mandate passes on unchanged to the bishops and to all Catholics.
Within each Catholic diocese, the diocesan bishop is its principal teacher. He is assisted by clergy, religious, and lay men and women who serve as educators and catechists in Catholic institutions, including elementary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, seminaries and parishes.
Catechesis is the act of handing on the Word of God intended to inform the faith community and candidates for initiation into the Church about the teachings of Christ transmitted by the Apostles. It also involves the lifelong effort of forming people into witnesses to Christ and opening their hearts to the spiritual transformation given by the Holy Spirit.
The teaching authority of the Catholic Church, called the Magisterium, lies with all of the bishops who are led by the pope and guided by the Holy Spirit. The pope and bishops are the authoritative teachers in the Church. In this section of our Web site, you can find information about many forms of Catholic teaching.
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
- Heart of Faith
- Old Testament
- Living Your Strengths
- Christian Prayer and Spirituality
- New Testament
- Sacraments
- Church History
- “Discovering God’s Vision for Your Life” Retreat
Registrations are interactive and can be completed online. Please print the completed form and mail it, along with payment made out to “Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown” to:
Lay Ecclesial Ministry
625 Park Avenue
Johnstown, PA 15902
2020 UPCOMING 3RD YEAR CLASSES
SAINT PAUL
Dr. James Merrick will be offering a 6 week course beginning Tuesday, January 7th from 6:00-8:30 PM at the Seton Suite, Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona on St. Paul, a New Covenant Jew. A study on Pauline theology, this course will look at Paul not as a construct of Reformation and post-Reformation exegesis, but on Paul’s own terms – “as a New Covenant Jew”. Rooted in Scripture, the course explores Paul the man, Paul the Apostle and Paul the Saint. Dr. Merrick is a lecturer at Franciscan University of Steubenville, theology and Latin teacher at St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy in Boalsburg and on the faculty for Lay Ecclesial Ministry and Diaconal Formation. .
Registration Form Saint Paul
PATROLOGY
Examine the lives and writings of the Fathers of the Church. Study the major events of the internal and external history of the Church and the expansion of the Church. This course covers the topics of martyrdom, virginity, and monasticism, and early Christological and Trinitarian controversies. In order to take this class, Sacred Scripture and Synoptic Gospels is a prerequisite.
Patrology Registration Form
TRINITY & CHRISTOLOGY
Examine The Mystery of Christ in Sacred Scripture, Old Testament foundations and the Christ event in the New Testament and the early Christian community, the Mystery of Christ in the history of the Church. The Church’s confession in One God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Attention is given to the Trinitarian character of the Church’s worship and theology as grounded in Sacred Scripture as well as the apostolic tradition of the ecumenical councils of Nicaea I and Constantinople I.
Registration Form Trinity And Christology
2019-2020 Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Catechumenate Team Ministry
Location: the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Seton Suite, One Cathedral Square, Altoona
Day and Time: Thursday, 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Course Description: The course is an overview and exploration of the application of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, the official rite of the Catholic Church for the preparation of Adults seeking the initiation sacraments and full membership in the Catholic Church.
The course content is presented in an adult environment with a combination of experiential and traditional learning styles within the four phase format of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Each phase (Part I, II, III and IV) consists of four 2 ½ hours sessions. There are no sessions in Advent, Christmas or Lent.
Fore more information on the program “Click Here”
Registration Form
For more information on the above classes, please contact:
The Office of Adult Enrichment and Lay Ecclesial Ministry
Mrs. Marybeth Heinze
Administrative Assitant
Telephone: (814) 361-2000
Email: mheinze@dioceseaj.org
