The Catechetical Institute (CI) is a large-scale international outreach of Franciscan University of Steubenville for ministry formation. CI was formally organized in 2015 and publicly launched in 2017 to serve Christ and his Church by forming those entrusted with the formation of others in any situation and ministry role — priests, deacons, religious, parents, parish and school leaders, teachers, catechists, and teams, whether professional or volunteer, from homes to diocesan hierarchies.
The relationship with Franciscan’s world-renowned Catechetics faculty is key to CI’s stability and charism. The importance and strength of the academic and practical dimensions coming together is fostered through CI being rooted both in the Franciscan Center for Evangelization and Renewal and the Catechetics/Theology academic programs at Franciscan University in various ways.
Through our conferences, online ministry tracks and workshops, webinars, magazine, local events, Guild small group circles and discussion forums, personal mentorship, and wealth of resources, we seek to support all those involved in the care of souls to grow in pastoral gentleness, faithful creativity, and bold confidence as they reach out to evangelize, accompany, and pass on the Catholic faith to others in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Please choose from the items below to download PDFs we have prepared for you...
For dioceses and others desiring to work with the Catechetical Institute (C.I.)
- Catechetical Institute Overview
- Partnership Services and Best Practices
- Our Key Principles
- Our Tracks
For parishes, schools, & other institutions seeking to use our workshops
For those interested in our events
- Upcoming St. John Bosco Conference for Evangelization and Catechesis
- Sample CI Formation Day Schedule
Events in 2021
January 4, 7, 11 -- Diocese of Syracuse, NY – CI Online Mentor Trainings
January 19, 26, February 2 -- Diocese of Memphis, TN – Online CI Formation Events for Parish Leaders
January 21, February 4, 18 -- Diocese of Nashville, TN - Online CI Formation Events for Parish Leaders
January 23 -- Diocese of Fort Worth, TX – CI Online Formation Event for RCIA Leaders
February 13 -- Diocese of Memphis, TN – Online CI Formation Event
February 18 -- Diocese of Brooklyn, NY – Online CI Formation Event
February 20, 27 -- Diocese of Shrewsbury, UK – CI Online Trainings on RCIA
February 22 -- Diocese of Gary, IN – Online CI Formation Event for Diocesan Leaders
February 23 -- Diocese of Brooklyn, NY – Online CI Formation Event
February 24 -- Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, TX – CI Online Formation Event for Religious Coordinators
February 24 -- Diocese of Lansing, MI – RCIA Online Formation Event
February 25 -- Diocese of Columbus, OH – CI Online Formation Event for Principals
March 2 -- Diocese of Nashville, TN - Online CI Clergy Event
March 4 -- Diocese of Nashville, TN - Online CI Clergy Event
March 10 -- Diocese of Allentown, PA – CI Online Diocesan Staff Event
March 16 -- Diocese of Steubenville, OH – CI Formation Event for Principals
March 23 -- Diocese of Duluth, MN – Online CI Clergy Event
March 31 -- Diocese of Spis, Slovakia – Online CI Diocesan Mentor Formation Series, Part One
April 13 -- Diocese of Allentown, PA – CI Online Formation Event for Principals
April 13 -- Diocese of Duluth, MN – CI Online Formation Event for Parish Leaders and Youth Ministers
April 13 -- Diocese of Gary, IN – CI Online Formation Event for Principals
April 15 -- Diocese of Houma-Thibadeux, LA – CI Overview for Pastors
April 15 -- Diocese of Houma-Thibadeux, LA – CI Formation Event I: Strengthening Communion by Implementing the CI Approach
April 20 -- Diocese of Houma-Thibadeux, LA – CI Formation Event II: Gaining Competence in Using FranciscanAtHome.com
April 27 -- Diocese of Houma-Thibadeux, LA – CI Formation Event III: Building Confidence as a Catholic Mentor
April 28 -- Diocese of Spis, Slovakia – Online CI Diocesan Mentor Formation Series, Part Two
April 29 -- Diocese of Duluth, MN – CI Online Formation Event for Adult Formation and RCIA Leaders
April 30 -- Diocese of Allentown, PA – CI Online Formation Event for School Teachers
May 4 -- Diocese of Allentown, PA – CI Online Formation Event for Parish Leaders
May 11 -- Diocese of Grand Rapids, MI – CI Online Formation Event on TOB
May 11 -- CI Open Invitation Webinar -- Successful Onboarding and Engagement
May 12 -- Diocese of Gary, IN -- CI Online Formation Event
May 18 -- Diocese of Grand Rapids, MI – CI Online Formation Event on TOB
May 19 -- Diocese of Lansing, MI – RCIA Online Formation Event
May 26 -- Diocese of Spis, Slovakia – Online CI Diocesan Mentor Formation Series, Part Three
June 2-3 -- Diocese of Lafayette, LA – On-site Catechetical Formation Conference on Family Ministry
June 8 -- CI Open Invitation Webinar -- Mentoring, Accompanying, Gentle Accountability and Overcoming Issues in Learners
June 14 -- Diocese of Gary, IN – CI Formation Event for School Personnel
June 16 -- Diocese of Palm Beach, FL – RCIA Online Formation Event
June 17 -- Archdiocese of Portland, OR -- Online CI Formation Event for Parish Leaders
June 21 -- Archdiocese of Dubuque, IA – Online CI Formation Event for Faith Formation Leaders
June 23 -- Diocese of La Crosse, WI – Formation Day for Parish Catechetical Leaders
June 24-25 -- Diocese of La Crosse, WI – CI Clergy Days
June 30 -- Diocese of Spis, Slovakia – Online CI Diocesan Mentor Formation Series, Part Four
July 6 -- CI Open Invitation Webinar -- Helping People Grow Their Spiritual Lives with CI's Workshops
July 8 -- Diocese of La Crosse, WI – Online CI Formation Event for Faith Formation Leaders
July 12-15 -- St. John Bosco Conference for Evangelization and Catechesis, Steubenville, OH
July 28 -- Diocese of Spis, Slovakia – Online CI Diocesan Mentor Formation Series, Part Five
July 28 -- Diocese of Arlington, VA - Online CI Formation Event for Parish Catechetical Leaders
August 3 -- Diocese of Pittsburgh, PA -- On-site CI Event for Catechetical Leaders
August 5 -- Diocese of Madison, WI -- On-site CI Event for Principals
August 6 -- Diocese of Madison, WI -- On-site CI Event for Catechetical Leaders
August 10 -- Diocese of La Crosse, WI -- CI Online Event for Principals
August 10 -- CI Open Invitation Webinar -- Developing an Excellent RCIA Process
August 14 -- Diocese of Venice, FL -- CI Online Event for RCIA Leaders
August 18 -- Archdiocese of New Orleans, LA - Online CI Formation Event for Pastors
August 23 -- Diocese of Green Bay, WI – CI On-site Formation Events
August 26 -- Archdiocese of New Orleans, LA - Online CI Formation Event for School and Catechetical Leaders
August 27 -- Dioceses of Albania - CI Formation Event - Co-sponsored with the Bishops' Conference of Albania and LCI
September 1 -- Diocese of Honolulu, HI - Online CI Formation Event for Pastors
September 1 -- Diocese of Honolulu, HI - Online CI Formation Event for Catechetical Leaders
September 4 -- Diocese of Honolulu, HI - Online CI Formation Event for Pastors
September 4 -- Diocese of Honolulu, HI - Online CI Formation Event for Catechetical Leaders
September 7 -- CI Open Invitation Webinar -- How to Effectively Reach Parents to Truly Enable Them, Not Just Exhort Them
September 14 -- Diocese of Rockville Centre, NY -- CI Online Formation Event for Principals
September 14 -- Diocese of Saginaw, MI -- Theology of the Body and Accompaniment for Parish Leaders
September 15 -- Diocese of London, ON -- Online CI Formation for New Mentors
September 16 -- Sacred Heart Parish, Manassas, VA -- Online CI Formation for Staff, Catechists, and Parents
September 23 -- Archdiocese of New Orleans, LA - Online CI Formation Event for Catechetical and School Leaders.
September 23 -- Diocese of Venice, FL -- CI On-site Event for RCIA Leaders
September 25 -- Diocese of Venice, FL -- Formation Workshop for Leaders on Mentoring Parents as Primary Educators
September 27 -- Youth 2000 Ireland -- Formation Evening for Leaders
September 28 -- Diocese of Madison, WI – Online CI Event for Principals
September 29 -- Diocese of Spis, Slovakia – Online CI Diocesan Mentor Formation Series, Part Six
October 5 -- CI Open Invitation Webinar – Helping Children and Teens Desire God and Love His Church, Not Just Go Through Programs
October 19 -- Diocese of Shreveport, LA – On-site CI Formation Event for Catechetical and School Leaders
October 20 -- Riga Higher Institute of Religious Sciences - Mentor Formation Meeting: Youth Ministry & Parish Development
October 21 -- Diocese of Lansing, MI – Online RCIA Formation Event
October 27 -- PNCC Diocese of Buffalo-Pittsburgh, PA – CI On-site Clergy Day
October 27 -- Diocese of Spis, Slovakia – Online CI Diocesan Mentor Formation Series, Part Seven
November 4 -- Laurel, MD – On-site TASTE Talk for Multi-Diocese Women's Group
November 6 -- Diocese of Kalamazoo, MI – On-site CI Event for Catechetical and School Leaders
November 9 -- CI Open Invitation Webinar
November 9 -- Diocese of Lake Charles, LA -- Online CI Formation Event for School DREs
November 10 -- Diocese of Phoenix, AZ -- Online CI Formation Event for Clergy
November 10 -- Diocese of Phoenix, AZ -- Online CI Formation Event for Principals
November 12 -- Diocese of Shreveport, LA -- On-site CI Formation Event for Catechetical Leaders
November 13 -- Diocese of Shreveport, LA -- On-site CI Formation Event for Catechetical Leaders
November 15 -- Diocese of Pittsburgh, PA -- On-site CI Event for Catechetical Leaders
November 17 -- Diocese of Madison, WI – Online CI Event for Principals
November 18 -- Diocese of Lansing, MI – Online RCIA Formation Event
November 19 -- Diocese of Pittsburgh, PA -- On-site CI Event for Catechetical Leaders
November 22 -- Nigerian Catechetical Institute - Mentor Formation Meeting: Year 1 – Track 1
November 23 -- Diocese of Phoenix, AZ -- Online CI Formation Event for Principals
November 23 -- Riga Higher Institute of Religious Sciences - Mentor Formation Meeting: Youth Ministry & Parish Development
November 30 -- Diocese of Spis, Slovakia – Online CI Diocesan Mentor Formation Series, Part Eight
November 30 -- University of St. Mary of the Lake at Mundelein, IL – RCIA Formation Day Filming
December 1 -- Diocese of Phoenix, AZ -- Online CI Formation Event for Catechetical Leaders
December 3 -- Diocese of Shreveport, LA -- On-site CI Formation Event for Catechetical Leaders
December 4 -- Diocese of Shreveport, LA -- On-site CI Formation Event for Catechetical Leaders
December 7 -- Diocese of Venice, FL – Online CI Event for RCIA Leaders
December 7 -- Diocese of Charleston, SC - Online CI Explanation Overview for Catechetical Leaders
December 8 -- Diocese of Phoenix, AZ -- Online CI Formation Event for Catechetical Leaders
December 10 -- PAREF Schools in the Philippines -- Panelist for Jesus Centered Life Conference
December 12-14 -- St. John's Parish, Summersville, WV -- Parish Mission on the Eucharist
December 15 -- Diocese of Phoenix, AZ -- Online CI Formation Event for Catechetical Leaders
December 16 -- Riga Higher Institute of Religious Sciences - Mentor Formation Meeting: Youth Ministry & Parish Development
December 21 -- Nigerian Catechetical Institute - Mentor Formation Meeting: Year 1 – Track 1
Events in 2022
January 13 -- Diocese of Lake Charles, LA -- Online CI Formation Event for Catechetical Leaders
January 18 -- Diocese of Charlotte, NC -- Online CI Overview
January 18 -- Diocese of Shrewsbury, UK -- CI Mentor Training
January 19 -- Diocese of Phoenix, AZ -- Online CI Formation Event 1 of 3 for Catechetical Leaders
January 20 -- Diocese of Lansing, MI -- Online RCIA Training for Leaders
January 21 -- Nigerian Catechetical Institute - Mentor Formation Meeting: Year 1 – Track 1
January 24 -- Diocese of Spis, Slovakia – Online CI Diocesan Mentor Formation Series, Part Nine
January 25 -- Diocese of Charlotte, NC -- Online CI Formation Event 1 of 3 for Catechetical Leaders
January 26 -- Diocese of Phoenix, AZ -- Online CI Formation Event 2 of 3 for Catechetical Leaders
January 26 -- Nigerian Catechetical Institute - Mentor Formation Meeting: Year 1 – Track 1
January 27 -- Riga Higher Institute of Religious Sciences - Mentor Formation Meeting: Youth Ministry & Parish Development
January 29 -- Christ the King Parish, Ann Arbor, MI -- Catechist Day of Recollection
February 1 -- Diocese of Burliington, VT -- Online Catechist Day of Recollection
February 1 -- Diocese of Charlotte, NC -- Online CI Formation Event 2 of 3 for Catechetical Leaders
February 2 -- Diocese of Phoenix, AZ -- Online CI Formation Event 3 of 3 for Catechetical Leaders
February 4 -- St. Columbkill Parish, Wilmington, OH -- Men's Retreat
February 7 -- Diocese of Ogdensburg, NY -- Orientation Session for a CI Workshop
February 8 -- Diocese of Charlotte, NC -- Online CI Formation Event 3 of 3 for Catechetical Leaders
February 8 -- Diocese of Brownsville, TX -- Online CI Overview for PCLs
February 14 -- Diocese of Brownsville, TX -- Online CI Overview for Priests
February 16 -- Diocese of Brownsville, TX -- Online CI Overview for Diocesan Staff
February 17 -- Diocese of Brownsville, TX -- Online CI Overview for School Principals and Religion Teachers
February 17 -- Diocese of Lansing, MI -- Online RCIA Training for Leaders
February 20 -- Diocese of Steubenville, OH -- Celebration of Families Keynote
February 23 -- Nigerian Catechetical Institute -- Mentor Formation Meeting: Year 1 – Track 1
February 24 -- Riga Higher Institute of Religious Sciences -- Mentor Formation Meeting: Youth Ministry & Parish Development
February 28 -- Diocese of Brownsville, TX -- Online CI Formation Event 1 of 3 for Catholic Schools Office
March 1 -- Diocese of Brownsville, TX -- Online CI Formation Event 2 of 3 for Catholic Schools Office
March 2 -- Diocese of Brownsville, TX -- Online CI Formation Event 3 of 3 for Catholic Schools Office
March 15 -- CI Open Invitation Webinar
March 17 -- Diocese of Lansing, MI -- Online RCIA Training for Leaders
March 25 -- Diocese of La Crosse, WI -- Online Formation Meeting on Family Catechesis
March 30 -- CI Open Invitation Webinar
March 30 -- Nigerian Catechetical Institute -- Mentor Formation Meeting: Year 1 – Track 1
March 31 -- Riga Higher Institute of Religious Sciences -- Mentor Formation Meeting: Youth Ministry & Parish Development
April 5 -- CI Open Invitation Webinar
April 11 -- Diocese of Belleville, IL -- Online CI Overview for Diocesan Staff
April 12 -- CI Open Invitation Webinar
April 26 -- CI Open Invitation Webinar
April 27 -- Diocese of Rockville Centre, NY -- Creating Catechetical Support Systems in Parishes
April 27 -- Nigerian Catechetical Institute -- Mentor Formation Meeting: Year 1 – Track 1
April 28 -- Riga Higher Institute of Religious Sciences -- Mentor Formation Meeting: Youth Ministry & Parish Development
April 30-May 2 -- Archdiocese of Singapore -- Formation Retreat for Catechists
May 3 -- CI Open Invitation Webinar
May 4 -- Diocese of Rockville Centre, NY -- Creating Catechetical Support Systems in Parishes
May 5 -- Pennsylvania Conference of Catechetical Leadership -- Explanation of the CI Guild
May 5 -- Diocese of Plymouth, UK -- CI Event for Youth and Young Adult Ministers
May 5-7 -- Diocese of Oakland, CA -- CI Formation Events
May 5 -- Archdiocese of Kansas City, KS -- CI Trio Formation Event for Lay Leaders in all Ministry Areas
May 7 -- Archdiocese of Kansas City, KS -- CI Trio Formation Event for Lay Leaders in all Ministry Areas
May 10 -- CI Open Invitation Webinar
May 12 -- Diocese of Plymouth, UK -- CI Formation Event
May 12-14 -- Diocese of Shreveport, LA -- CI Formation Events
May 16 -- Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, FL -- Online CI Overview for Clergy and Lay Leaders
May 17 -- CI Open Invitation Webinar
May 18 -- Diocese of Birmingham, AL -- CI Trio Formation Event for Lay Leaders in all Ministry Areas
May 19 -- Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, FL -- Online CI Overview for Clergy and Lay Leaders
May 21 -- Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, FL -- Online CI Overview for Clergy and Lay Leaders
May 23 -- Michigan Catholic Conference -- Conference on the New Directory for Catechesis Keynotes
May 25 -- Nigerian Catechetical Institute -- Mentor Formation Meeting: Year 1 – Track 1
May 26 -- Riga Higher Institute of Religious Sciences -- Mentor Formation Meeting: Youth Ministry & Parish Development
June 9 -- Diocese of Birmingham, AL -- Online CI Overview for Priests
June 14-17 -- Diocese of Arlington, VA -- Catechetical Leader Retreat
June 15 -- Catechetical Institute of Nigeria -- National Mentor Team Formation Meeting
June 16 -- Archdiocese of Riga, Latvia -- Youth Ministry and Parish Leadership Teams Formation Meeting
June 24 -- Diocese of Lake Charles, LA -- CI Trio Formation Event for Leaders in all Ministry Areas
June 25 -- Diocese of Lake Charles, LA -- CI Trio Formation Event for Leaders in all Ministry Areas
July 11-14 -- St. John Bosco Conference for Evangelization and Catechesis, Steubenville, OH
July 19 -- Diocese of Birmingham, AL -- Online CI Overview for Priests
August 10 – Diocese of Columbus, OH – On-site CI launch for parish DREs
August 23/27 – Diocese of Lafayette, LA – Online CI Events for Catechetical Leaders
September 7 – Diocese of Columbus, OH – Online Follow-up to the Launch Events
September 10 – Diocese of Pittsburgh, PA – On-site Mentor Training
September 16 – Diocese of Altoona, PA – On-site Inservice on CI for School Faculties
September 21 – Diocese of Columbus, OH – Online Follow-up to the Launch Events
September 22-24 – Diocese of Sacramento, CA – On-site Launch Events and RCIA In-service
October 5 – Diocese of Columbus, OH – Online Follow-up to the Launch Events
October 27 – Diocese of Spis – Mentor Formation Meeting: Year 1 – Track 1
October 29 – Diocese of Green Bay, WI – Online CI Overview and Follow-up
November 4-5 – OSV/CI Online Deacon Conference
November 12 – Diocese of Columbus – On-site Evangelization Conference
November 30 – Diocese of Spis – Mentor Formation Meeting: Year 1 – Track 1
December 22 – Diocese of Spis – Mentor Formation Meeting: Year 1 – Track 1
Events held in 2020
May 11 – Nigerian Bishops Conference – Online CI Formation Event
May 14 – Diocese of Gary, IN – Online CI Formation Event
May 19, 26, June 2 – Archdiocese of Omaha – Online CI Formation Events
May 22 – Nigerian Bishops Conference – Online CI Formation Event
May 28 – Diocese of Venice – Online CI Formation Event
June 9 – Youth 2000 Ireland – Online CI Mentor Training Event
June 15, 17, 18 – Diocese of Orange, CA – Online CI Formation Events
July 21 – Catholic Fellowship of Jakarta, Indonesian – Online Young Adult Formation Event
July 22, 29, August 5 – Archdiocese of Baltimore, MD – Online CI Formation Events
August 6 – Diocese of Fort Worth, TX – Parish Catechetical Leader In-Service
August 6 – Diocese of Arlington, VA – Online CI Formation Event
August 13-15 – Diocese of Jefferson City, MO – Clergy Day and CI Formation Days
August 17 – Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, MO – Catholic Schools In-service
August 26, September 2, 16 – Diocese of Palm Beach, FL – Online CI Formation Events
September 12 – Archdiocese of Indianapolis, IN – RCIA Formation Day
September 14 – Diocese of Savannah, GA – Online CI Formation Event
September 24 – Archdiocese of Washington, DC – Youth Ministry Formation Day
September 26 – Diocese of Savannah, GA – Mentor Training
September 30 – Diocese of Lafayette, LA – Online CI Formation Event for Clergy
October 1 – Diocese of Palm Beach, FL – Online CI Formation Event
October 2 – Diocese of Columbus, OH – Online CI Formation Event for Schools
October 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22 – Diocese of Grand Rapids – Online CI Formation Events
October 7, 14, 21 – Diocese of Savannah – Online CI Formation Events (In Spanish)
October 15 – Diocese La Crosse, WI – Online CI Formation Day
October 17 – Diocese of Sacramento, CA – Online RCIA Formation Day
October 21 – Diocese of Lansing, MI – Online RCIA Formation Events
October 22 – Diocese of Palm Beach, FL – Online CI Formation Event>
October 29 – Diocese of Grand Island, NE – Online CI Formation Discussion with Leaders
November 5 - Diocese of Lake Charles, LA - Online CI Formation Event
November 9 – Diocese of Columbus, OH – Online CI Formation Events for School Teachers
November 10 – Diocese of Allentown, PA – CI Clergy Day
November 12 – Catholic Fellowship of Jakarta, Indonesian – Online Young Adult Formation Event
November 16 – Diocese of Norwich, CT – Online CI Formation Events for Schools
November 17 – Diocese of Palm Beach – Online CI Formation Event for Schools
November 21, 28 – Diocese of Shrewsbury, UK – Online CI Formation Events
December 16 – Diocese of Lansing, MI – Online RCIA Formation Events
Events held in 2019
April 3 – Archdiocese of Portland, OR – Clergy Day
April 4 – Archdiocese of Portland, OR – Mentor Training
April 15 – Diocese of Pittsburgh, PA – Mentor Training
April 25 – Diocese of La Crosse, WI – Mentor Training
June 12 – Archdiocese of Detroit, MI – Mentor Training
July 15-18 – Steubenville, OH – St. John Bosco Conference
July 24 – Diocese of Pittsburgh, PA – Mentor Training
July 29 – Diocese of Raleigh, NC – Mentor Training
August 10 – Diocese of Savannah, GA – CI Introduction
August 12 – Diocese of Savannah, GA – Mentor Training
August 26 – Diocese of Sioux City, IA – Mentor Training
August 27 – Archdiocese of Dubuque, IA – Mentor Training
September 5 – Archdiocese of Baltimore, MD – Mentor Training
September 19-20 – Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, MO – Mentor Training / Inservice
September 19-21 – Diocese of Madison, WI – Mentor Training / RCIA and Leadership Inservices
September 26 – Archdiocese of Denver, CO – Faith Formation Leader Event
September 28 – Archdiocese of Denver, CO – Mentor Training
September 30 – Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, MO – Clergy Day
October 2 – Diocese of Wilmington, DE – Mentor Training / Fall Professional Development Day
October 12 – Diocese Fort Wayne-South Bend, IN – Mentor Training
October 18-22 – Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, MO – CI Introductions / Clergy Day
October 26 – Diocese of Sacramento, CA – RCIA Inservice
November 8-9 – Diocese of Jefferson City, MO – Mentor Trainings
November 16 – Archdiocese of Detroit, MI – Family Ministry Inservice