Adult Learning Opportunities

The diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis exists to help people know, love and serve God - who reveals himself in the person of Jesus Christ - ever more deeply.

The term 'evangelize' means "to bring good news." Quite simply, Jesus Christ is this "good news," and to evangelize is to proclaim Christ and his teaching, especially to people and cultures who have not yet effectively met him. The term 'catechesis' derives from a word meaning "to echo." The Church does not advance her own creations and ideas, but echoes the teaching of Christ.

Our work aims to help form people with an integrated faith, not simply an academic one. Catechesis is a life-long process of initial conversion, formation, education, and ongoing conversion. It takes many forms and includes the initiation of adults, youth and children as well as the intentional and systematic effort to enable all to grow in faith and discipleship. The General Directory for Catechesis expresses this succinctly: "Catechesis is nothing other than the process of transmitting the Gospel…"

On these pages, adults in the Diocese of Madison can find information about opportunities to grow in their faith. Some of the more systematic of these opportunities include:

The Diocesan Lay Institute
The Diocesan Lay Institute aims to build up the body of Christ by providing adults continuing formation in the Catholic faith and the leadership skills training necessary to serve the parish community. Level I of the Institute consists of day-long courses held one Saturday each month from September through June.  Find out more via the DLI web pages.

Catholic Distance Learning Programs
Many adults throughout the diocese have expressed an interest in learning more about their Catholic faith. One of the primary vehicles for this is our Diocesan Lay Institute. Often however, our circumstances prohibit us from participating in such formal scheduled programs. In response to this, many Catholic colleges, universities, seminaries and schools of theology offer classes through distance learning. In some cases, programs are offered at alternate sites beyond the academic institution's campus. In other cases, programs are offered via the internet, sometimes utilizing video, real-time sessions, and email discussions. All of these distance learning options enable students living far from the campus to access the educational resources. The USCCB's Committee on the Laity has developed a list of many such opportunities which is available here.

Ave Maria University's Institute for Pastoral Theology
Of special interest to those in the Diocese of Madison will be Ave Maria University's Institute for Pastoral Theology, which is currently being held at St. John Vianney Parish in Janesville. This is a solid program meeting one weekend a month for three years and leading to a master's degree in theology. Another class will begin in the summer of 2007. More information is available here.