The diocese’s Lay Formation Institute is offering several new workshops this fall for parishioners who are interested in deepening their own faith or in preparing for lay ecclesial ministry in their parishes.

The Lay Formation Institute has been expanded over the past year to respond to Pastoral Initiative 5 of the diocesan synod, regarding formation for lay ministry and the lay apostolate.

That initiative called for diocesan staff to design and establish a lay training program that will provide opportunities for adults throughout the diocese to become more knowledgeable about the Catholic faith, to grow spiritually, and to receive training for specific lay ecclesial ministries within the community of faith.

The initiative also urged that lay formation and training courses be financially affordable and offered in various regions of the diocese.

In response, the Lay Formation Institute is offering Saturday workshop courses at parishes in six locations throughout the diocese: Redding, Vallejo, Nevada City, Mount Shasta, Chico and Quincy. Enrichment courses will also be offered periodically at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Sacramento.

In its mission statement, the institute also notes its purpose is to prepare and train the laity to assume their unique vocation to transform society, through their Christian witness and action in the home and the workplace.

John Rieschick, director of the diocese’s department of Catholic Faith Formation, said participants in the institute will have access to a foundational curriculum addressing Scripture, the Creed, liturgy, moral life and prayer. Further certificate coursework develops the theological background and professional skills necessary for Catholics to live their faith and apply it to their daily experience, he said.

“We are utilizing instructors from our own diocese who have the expertise to teach these courses,” Rieschick said. “We have a wealth of knowledge that can be shared. Those who are looking for adult faith enrichment and education can take all of the courses the institute offers or just some of the courses.”

Mercy Sister Maura Power, who is teaching courses on Scripture, moral living, Christian prayer, catechesis, and evangelization in Quincy, Mount Shasta and Redding, said parishioners in the Lay Formation Institute are “just eager to know more about their faith.”

“These lay people know ongoing formation is crucial,” she said. “They want to be well-educated in their faith to minister in their own parishes, to talk to other people about their faith, and to witness to their faith in their daily lives in a practical way. They want to be able to tell others what Catholics believe and what our values are.”

Ken Jensen, a member of St. Patrick Parish in Grass Valley for the past decade, has been taking institute workshops offered in Nevada City. He is active in the Knights of Columbus and the respect life ministry in his parish.

“I’m taking the classes because we are continually in conversion and formation in our faith,” he said. “We never stop being learners. I feel called to keep growing spiritually.”

Mary Boek, a member of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Redding, has taken courses in the institute since January to work toward obtaining her certification as a catechist in her parish. She serves as a eucharistic minister and works with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Children.

The courses “benefit me spiritually,” Boek said. “They provide information and knowledge I can’t get anywhere else. And I enjoy asking questions about the material and discovering the answers. It’s helped me become a better teacher with the children.”

Mercy Sister Susan McCarthy, director of implementation of the diocesan synod, said she is asking pastors and pastoral councils to publicize the institute and to invite interested parishioners to take courses to expand their knowledge or train for ministry.

“While the institute is not totally new for our diocese, it has received a new impetus because synod delegates said they wanted regular enrichment opportunities in lay ministry and formation to be increased and offered in various regions,” she said. “We hope what has been developed will help respond to the needs that were expressed.”

For more information about the Lay Formation Institute or other programs offered by the diocese, visit the Web site at www.synod2004.org or call Catholic Faith Formation at (916) 733-0123.

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