A new master plan is now in place designed to use more efficiently the talents and improve communication among 17 staff members in the diocese’s department of Catholic Faith Formation.

As of June 1, Catholic Faith Formation realigned its ministries with program coordinators for three areas: faith formation and catechesis in English, an identical program in Spanish, and family ministries.

John Rieschick, director of Catholic Faith Formation, said the department’s realignment is modeled after a plan implemented by Bishop William K. Weigand in 2002 which reorganized diocesan departments and offices into five secretariats, headed by vicars.

Under the new faith formation plan, Rieschick will be able to focus his energies on coordinating the family ministries program, a department he directed prior to its merger with Catholic Faith Formation more than two years ago.

“Heading up family life will allow me to be more involved in single adult, young adult and bereavement ministries,” he said.

Adult faith formation and catechesis in English will be directed by Jeannette Holmes, who also serves as associate superintendent for religion curriculum for Catholic schools.

Holmes brings to her position extensive experience in both education and catechesis ministry. She had worked both as a teacher and administrator in the Sacramento Diocese, directed catechetical ministries in the Diocese of Oakland, and served as superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Stockton.

“I’ve been on both sides of the fence, so I know what the needs and problems are,” she said. “I see a lot of my role as communication, so we have a unified approach for service to the parishes.”

One new component in religious education is the use of STEP, the University of Notre Dame’s Satellite Theological Education Program. STEP uses the Internet to provide faith formation courses for pastoral ministers and lay Catholics nationwide.

“Anyone in the diocese can get ongoing formation if they have a computer,” Holmes said.

Deacon Antonio Ramirez, who directs faith formation and catechesis programs in Spanish, brings his own impressive credentials to this ministry. His work in the diocese began in 1989 in Chico, where he served as coordinator of Hispanic ministry for St. John the Baptist Parish. Deacon Ramirez has been a member of the Catholic Faith Formation staff since 2001.

The Spanish video-assisted program, titled Echoes of Faith (“Echoes de Fe”), which Deacon Ramirez coordinates for catechist formation, garnered an award in April from the National Conference of Catechetical Leadership, ranking Sacramento as third in participation among dioceses nationwide.

It features 13 videos and workbooks along with reflection and discussion to cover requirements for basic catechist certification at parishes and schools.

“We now have 50 parishes training in the program,” said Deacon Ramirez, who sees people responding in part because his team of catechists is presenting the program during convenient evening and weekend hours and in geographically friendly venues.

“We’re putting two parishes together, located in the same neighborhood, so people don’t have to travel so much,” he said.

One of the primary goals of the realignment of is to reach out more effectively to areas in the northern part of the diocese.

“Whatever we have in the south, we now want to have in the north,” Rieschick noted.

A case in point is the North State All Ministries Conference, with the theme, “Food for the Journey,” to be held Nov. 13 at Bishop Quinn Catholic High School in Palo Cedro.

Mercy Sister Eileen Enright, Vicar for Pastoral Ministry, said the reorganization plan promises to improve and expand service more equitably throughout the 20 counties of the diocese.

“Anytime there is a collaborative approach to ministry, we all benefit,” she said. “In this partnership we maximize the gifts of each person to build up the kingdom of God.”

Other changes brought about with the realignment of Catholic Faith Formation programs places catechesis for people with special needs under Holmes’ direction. Natural Family Planning for Spanish-speaking couples will be parish based under the new plan.

Catholic Faith Formation staff are also pursuing grants, with the hope of making video conferencing available in selected areas of the diocese.

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