Formation for the Next Generation
According to our research, many parents and caregivers desire to pass on the Catholic faith to their children, but struggle with the most effective way to do this.
The Christian Parenting and Caregiving Initiative puts Christian parents and caregivers in direct dialogue with catechetical and parish leaders, helping both sides move toward a plan of action in your community. These Catholic Extension Society-funded sessions will be led by a designated Facilitator, experienced leaders in ministry who work closely with parents and helping them succeed as teachers to their children.
By hosting these convenings in your faith community, Catholic Extension Society seeks to help parish leaders engage culturally diverse parents and caregivers in the Christian formation of their children.
Participating parishes will commit to a two-phase program:
- Listening Sessions: Parents will meet with catechetical and parish leaders to engage the parish with their ideas and insights. A facilitator will help provide structure to this conversation. Convenings will be funded by Catholic Extension Society.
- What are your challenges? What are your strengths? What are the unique cultural practices and traditions that speak to our faith?
- Parish Projects: Once these sessions have occurred with strategic input from parish leaders, parents/caregivers, each faith community will create a program or project and submit that to Catholic Extension Society via their diocesan representative.
A designated diocesan official is required to oversee the parish site(s) throughout the process of the listening session, project submission, and project implementation. This should be a Diocesan Religious Education Leader, Family Formation Coordinator, or similar.
Select sites will be eligible for funding up to $15,000 to implement their projects.
Who is Eligible?
- This program will be available to parishes that are home to families with children.
- A diocese may request one or multiple parish sites in one application (3 parishes max).
- Before applying, each diocese must have identified the diocesan-level coordinator (diocesan DRE or similar) who will accompany the parishes through the process and be present at the listening sessions as well as two (2) site leaders for each parish:
- A parent-lead, specific to that parish community. The parent-lead should be an advocate for all parents in the parish, they will help confirm that parents, grandparents, caregivers, and elders elders attend the session, providing their input and ideas.
- Parish or faith leader, specific to that community. The parish leader should help confirm catechists, parish leaders, and other faith and religious ed staff for that site.
- Approved parishes must commit and complete phase 1 + 2 and these overall program guidelines and expectations.
How to Apply
- Complete the online application form by the deadline of Thursday, August 8, 2024. *An interview is required as a part of the application process.
- The following items must be attached to the application:
- Official Letter of Endorsement from Bishop
- Signed Partnership Agreement by three parties: the parish leader, parent-lead, and diocesan-level coordinator (one partnership agreement per parish).
For More Information
Contact Odette Barrientos, Senior Manager of Mission Programs, at (312) 795-6082 or obarrientos@catholicextension.org
