Catechetical Institute

The Diocese of Fargo Catechetical Institute provides programs for the formation of catechists, as well as other resources. While intended for the training of catechists, all the following programs are open to any interested adult.

The Catechetical Institute of Franciscan University offers 1 hour courses on-line in a video and interactive format for all those involoved in parish ministry.  There are many different tracks to choose from.  Parishes must sign up with a yearly fee of $300 for their parishioners to take these courses.  See what is available on their web site: Franciscan At Home.

Bishop Folda has decreed that the textbook series Alive in Christ, by Our Sunday Visitor, will be used in grades 1-8 in all parishes and schools throughout the Diocese of Fargo. Parishes and schools may begin using this curriculum in the fall of 2017. Full implementation must be done by the fall of 2018.

In 1935, the Vatican asked that every diocese acknowledge the importance of the Church’s teaching ministry and to honor those who serve as catechists. Throughout the years the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops [USCCB] has produced materials to help parishes celebrate this event at the local level. For more information, visit the USCCB’s About Catechetical Sunday page.

Catechetical Sunday in 2025 will be on September 21, and the theme will be “Always be ready to give an explanation … for a reason for your hope” (1 Pet 3:15). The theme encourages us to share the basis of our faith, the Lord, and the hope He provides. In the same manner St. Peter encouraged the believers of his time, the scripture reminds us, the sharing should be done with gentleness and respect. The theme also reflects the theme of the Jubilee Year, “Pilgrims of Hope”. Resources are available on the USCCB’s Catechetical Sunday 2025 page.

Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of the Sacrament of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. It is also a good opportunity for all to rededicate themselves to this mission as a community of faith.

Echoes

The 11 session Echoes Program is entry level catechist certification. See the Echoes page to learn how to schedule this program for the your parish.

Video Library

Parishes in the Diocese of Fargo can borrow educational videos from the diocesan video library. Contact the Office for Catechesis. 

DVD Presentations

In 2013, the Diocese of Fargo sponsored two presentations of part of the celebration of the “Year of Faith.” We are pleased to make the following resources available from these presentations:

1. “The Documents of the Second Vatican Council” by Msgr. Paul Watson

• A DVD of the presentations is available for purchase.
• A one page summary showing all 16 documents.

2. “The Gift of the Catechism” by Dr. Petroc Wiley

• A set of two DVDs of four talks given in Fargo is available. Each session is about 50 minutes long.
• A Study Guide is also available. It contains questions, activities and discussion points for each of the four sessions.
  • Study Guide (PDF) for participants
  • Study Guide Answer Key (PDF) for the group leader