Program Overview

The first year is a year of common study, taught on a college level, introducing candidates to various areas of Church teaching:

1. Orientation to Ministry

2. Overview of the Catholic Faith

3. Liturgy and Prayer

4. Liturgy and Sacraments

5. Catholic Moral Theology

6. Catholic Social Teaching

7. Theology of Church

8. History of the Church

9. Christian Human Growth and Development

10. Scripture

Sessions generally meet one Saturday each month (August through May) from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. at the Catholic Pastoral Center in Springfield, Illinois.

The second year invites candidates to specialize in an area of pastoral ministry. Currently the Lay Ministry Formation Program offers six specializations:

• Adult Faith in Life Issues

• Catechetical Leadership Ministry

• Clinical Pastoral Care Ministry

• Liturgical Ministry: Liturgical Leadership

• Liturgical Ministry: Christian Initiation of Adults Leadership

• Youth Ministry