 If you are interested in any of our programs, feel free to contact us by phone or by email. For general information, send us an email: info@orehartford.org
The Religious Education Office is responsible for parish-based religious education/ catechetical programs (CCD). These programs are for all ages - religious education is life-long learning. Catechesis includes sacramental preparation (Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation), religious education programs for pre-school, K-6, junior high, senior high, and adults. The responsibility of the Office is to train, assist and support parish catechetical leaders. Various workshops/in-service days, certificate programs, on-site training, and an annual Congress are offered. Training is also available for Spanish-speaking catechetical leaders. Contact Patricia Keck or Miriam Hidalgo for more information.
The Office of Religious Education provides training for volunteer catechists (both English and Spanish speaking). The Basic Catechist Formation Program is a three-year program with courses on Sacraments, Methodology, Scripture, Christology, Morality, and Prayer and Liturgy. Training is also provided for parish catechetical leaders on how to use Echoes of Faith, a video-assisted program for training catechists. Contact Patricia Keck or Miriam Hidalgo for more information.
The Office of Youth Ministry works with Coordinators of Youth Ministry who run programs for youth (junior and senior high school age) in parishes. Youth Ministry includes evangelization, catechetics, community building, social justice, advocacy, prayer and worship, etc. The Office provides ongoing training for Youth Ministers. Archdiocesan and regional youth gatherings are also provided. Included within the scope of Youth Ministry is Catholic Scouting for boys and girls. Religious training for adult leaders and scouts is made available. The Office of Religious Education is also responsible for CYO Sports (tournaments). Contact Shawnee Baldwin for more information.
Young adults are those in their 20's and 30's; they are single, married, divorced, they are with children and without children. The Office of Religious Education is responsible for ministry to Catholics in this age group. Contact Shawnee Baldwin for more information.
The Catholic Biblical School is a four-year training/formation program for Catholic adults interested in learning more about the Bible. Every book of the Bible is studied. Training is also provided for graduates so that they are able to offer parish-based Bible study programs. Contact BJ Daly Horell for more information and visit this page.
Training and support for parish Evangelization programs (Inactive Catholics, etc.) are provided. Contact Msgr. Michael J. Motta for more information.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process for initiation into the Catholic Church for those people (adults and children) who have not been baptized, have been baptized in a different Christian tradition, or who have been baptized Catholic and have not received the sacraments of First Eucharist and Confirmation. The Office of Religious Education provides training for parish RCIA Coordinators and also coordinates Archdiocesan ceremonies (Rite of Election). The Office of Religious Education provides a preparation program for those adults who have not been confirmed both in English and Spanish. Contact Mary Marsan or Miriam Hidalgo for more information. Visit this page for more information.
The Office of Religious Education provides a 2-year training program for lay men and women interested in volunteer ministry within their parishes. Areas of ministry include Liturgy, Bereavement, RCIA, Social Justice and many others. Continuing education workshops are also provided for commissioned lay ministers. Contact Mary Marsan for more information.
Several videos and dvd's are available to DREs, catechists, Youth Ministers, Adult Education Coordinators, Lay Ministers and other parish leaders. These resources are used for catechetical sessions or for self-learning. In addition, a library of catechetical and other text material is maintained for catechetical leaders' use. All of these resources are available for use in parishes. Contact Patricia Keck for multimedia resources or textbooks and other printed material. A list of the major publishers and their local representatives is available here. To see a list of publications online, visit this section.
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