From Greco Institute to Franciscan at Home

Delia Barr, Director of Faith Formation

ON MY FIRST DAY AT THE CATHOLIC CENTER AS I WALKED THROUGH THE DOORS OF THE OFFICE SUITE, I SAW THE SIGN THAT READ GRECO INSTITUTE. I learned that the Greco Institute was established by Bishop Friend to offer quality adult religious education. He saw that without a Catholic college or retreat house nearby our diocese needed adult formation in our Catholic faith.

The core curriculum was 12 courses, which were offered in any given semester in 25-30 locations! Each course was equal to one credit hour of college work. Tuition was covered by the diocese and students paid for books and materials. I read that since the faithful are scattered across Northern Louisiana it was vital that the program was carried to them in their locations. They could not be expected to travel 100 miles for this formation.

The classes offered a basic introduction to theology and often produced a hunger for more formation. This gave many people in leadership, across the diocese, a solid catechetical foundation. It was a win/win for diocesan formation.

Fast forward to 2020 and through COVID-19 to a new world of online learning, Zoom calls, FaceTime, and all the new ways of sharing and learning globally about our faith. While the Greco Institute was groundbreaking and an incredible experience for its students, we now have new opportunities for adult catechetical formation. Programs designed to meet people where they are on their faith journey using new technology and online platforms.

Last year the diocese introduced the Franciscan at Home online platform for catechetical formation for our catechists, parishioners, and families. The diocese pays the fee for the service for everyone!

The catechetical formation for the leaders in our parishes is very important to Bishop Malone and this platform truly serves the needs of so many of the faithful in our diocese. The workshops offered are for the teachers in our Catholic schools, those teaching in Parish School of Religion, leaders in RCIA/OCIA, for families, and those who thirst for knowledge about our faith. There is even a Eucharistic Renewal track that was developed at the onset of the National Eucharistic Revival.

The workshops are divided into several sections that begin with a short presentation from a professor from Franciscan University or someone who works in ministry in the area of the workshop. They offer a brief 5-10 minutes of teaching and then you are called to do a “Task” by reflecting on what you heard and how it might resonate in your own faith journey. The workshops may be viewed at home, or you may gather as a group and work through it together with sharing and discussion. Most workshops consist of 6-8 presentations and tasks following.

Franciscan at Home literature states, “All of the Catechetical Institute’s online formation is designed to support and complement the formation being undertaken locally and personally, in parishes, families, schools, and communities. Never forgetting that formation in the faith is always first and foremost God’s attentive presence to us as individuals, our workshops address various aspects of what best fosters local competency. This includes encouraging personal accountability to excellence and creating tasks that demonstrate the effectiveness of soul-to-soul persuasion, dialogue, and genuine openness to others.”

While working in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, I was fortunate to be close to Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio and received formation through their Franciscan at Home Catechetical Institute. I found the level of formation to be outstanding. The professors and catechists who teach the workshops are well formed and often have hands-on experience on the parish level in ministries. I was most moved by how it was not only informative about the faith but more importantly it gave me the chance to discern the spiritual formation side of the learning. As a catechist myself, I understand how easy it is to get lost in the doctrine or presentation of the subject matter and to miss out on personal spiritual formation. Without that personal relationship with Jesus Christ, it is impossible to truly invite others into relationship with Christ. This program from Franciscan University will be sure to form the participants into catechists and disciples of Jesus Christ.