Office of Lifelong Faith Formation

Who are we?

Jesus commissioned his disciples to:

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the world, baptizing them and teaching them all (EVERYONE) what I have taught, and I will be with you for all ages.”

     In response to recommendations from the Journey in Faith and Grace, Bishop Edward Kmiec renamed the Diocesan Office of Religious Education and broadened our mission, in order to better serve the faith formation needs of Catholics of every age.  On September 1, 2007, the Office of Lifelong Faith Formation was established. We not only have a tradition of excellent child-centered religious education, we will also strive to foster and strengthen parish-based catechesis for Catholics of every age (adults, teens, and children).

Mission Statement

Embracing the conviction that religious formation is a lifelong, holistic, developmental process that happens in families and parish communities, the Department of Lifelong Faith Formation is dedicated to supporting the faith formation of all people of the Diocese of Buffalo. This lifelong process aims to develop disciples of Jesus who are committed to authentic Catholic Tradition and Gospel values. This office carries out this mission by resourcing, training, and networking those who are leaders and ministers in faith formation throughout the rural, urban and suburban parish and school communities of the Diocese of Buffalo.

     As appointed by the Bishop to establish and maintain authentic Catholic teaching within parishes as centers of lifelong formation, we are responsible for:

• assisting parishes to create a comprehensive catechetical plan responsive to the needs of adults, youth, and children;
• forming catechetical leaders to effectively implement the religion curriculum for children and adolescents and sacramental policies;
• helping catechists & Catholic school teachers to acquire the proper competencies to teach religion and form faith;
• ensuring parish and school compliance with Safe Environment mandates for adults working with children and the sexual abuse awareness curriculum for children;
• serving as a resource for pastors and pastoral administrators to attract and retain high quality, competent parish catechetical leaders;
• creating altermate delivery methods for the formation for adults and children (eg. on-line);
• accommodating parishioners with special needs into parish catechetical programming;
• training for intergenerational methodology;
• resourcing and methodologies for adult catechesis.