Adult Formation Programs

Diocesan Opportunities for Adult Formation

Four formation classes — including two that are new offerings — are set to begin in the late summer 2021 to ensure the spiritual and pastoral needs of Catholics throughout the Diocese of Burlington are being addressed: new classes for the Diocesan Lay Formation and Deacon Formation programs and new offerings of a Diocesan Leader of Prayer and a Pastoral Associate for Parish Life training programs.

Lay Formation Leadership Program

This program seeks to form laity to assist in leadership roles in their parishes in areas such as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, catechesis, Pre-Cana, evangelization, adult formation and building vibrant parishes. Key to this formation is inspiring and equipping the laity to serve and evangelize their parishes and communities as missionary disciples. This is a 2-year program that meets one Saturday a month in person with additional formation taking place via online courses.

To learn more or apply to the program:
/ministries-programs/evangelization-catechesis/lay-formation/

Leader of Prayer Program

The Lay Leader of Prayer Formation Program seeks to raise up laity who can prepare and lead appropriate forms of public prayer at the request of the pastor when clergy are otherwise unavailable. The curriculum for the Lay Leader of Prayer Formation Program consists of four sessions that will serve to cover basic liturgical principals of leading communal prayer as well as an introduction to the various Rites of the Church that may be led by lay leaders: Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest, Pastoral Care of the Sick and Dying and Funeral Rites.

Additional information and application coming soon.

Deacon Formation Program

Deacons are ordained to be permanent ministers in the Church. They are ministers of the word, of sacrament and of charity. They have significant theological education and a deep spiritual life, and are formed in pastoral ministry. They must have good human relations ability. The total time in formation is five years, two of which are in the Lay Leadership Formation Program, followed by three years of Diaconate Formation.

To learn more or apply to the program:
/ministries-programs/vocations/permanent-diaconate/

Pastoral Associate for Parish Life

This is a 1-year formation program designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to serve their parishes as a pastoral associate when it is not possible for the bishop to appoint a full-time parish priest. This service will take the form of parish administration, pastoral care, pastoral counseling, finances, sacramental preparation, liturgical planning and assistance, human resources and faith formation. This ensures that Christian life and the evangelizing mission of the community is continued.