By Ruby Thomas, Record Staff Writer
The Archdiocese of Louisville is offering a new program to provide professional training for people interested in youth ministry and faith formation.
The Certificate in Ministry Studies program is offered through the Office of Youth and Young Adults in collaboration with the Office of Faith Formation. The two-year program will lead to a nationally recognized certificate in either lifelong faith formation or a certificate in youth ministry studies.
Classes, which will include in-person and online course work, commence in September.
The coursework will be provided by the Center for Ministry Development, a Catholic non-profit based in Washington state. Dolson said instruction will be provided by youth ministry and faith formation specialists from around the country.
Local youth ministry training used to be offered by Dr. Carole Goodwin, the former director of the Office of Youth and Young Adults, Dolson noted. Goodwin retired in 2017.
The Certificate in Ministry Studies is designed to accommodate the schedule and lifestyle of working adults. It will consist of eight in-person courses, four online courses and online meetings. All in-person courses will take place on weekends at the Flaget Center, 1935 Lewiston Drive, said Dolson.
Individuals who complete the entire program — plus a retreat and mentoring component — will also receive a master catechist certificate from the Archdiocese of Louisville Ministry Institute.
Dolson said there’s also an option to take the courses individually for credit toward catechist certification.
“We are encouraging youth ministers to bring their adult volunteer leaders,” said Dolson, adding that religion teachers, catechists and directors of religious education can also benefit from the option to take individual courses.
The program will begin the weekend of Sept. 21 and 22 with two in-person classes at the Flaget Center. Online classes will begin in October.
The total cost of the program is around $2,000, but payments are made per class over the course of two years. The cost is $160 per in-person class and $150 per online class. There’s also a $30 lodging fee for students who choose to stay overnight at the Flaget Center during weekend courses.
Employees of parishes in the Archdiocese of Louisville may qualify for scholarships.
Students must register two weeks before the beginning of a course. The registration deadline for the Sept. classes is Sept. 6.
Registration forms are available at https://www.archlou.org/youth/. For more information, contact Dolson at 636-0296.
