Those serving in parish pastoral ministry positions and adults who are ready to deepen their Catholic faith have four great options to choose from in the Diocese of Phoenix. Read on for more details and how to get started on — or continue — your journey! Click on the links below to learn more about each opportunity and how you can get involved.
Loyola Institute for Ministry Extension, LIM (or LIMEX)
A new partnership has been formed to serve the growing needs of ministry leaders and adults within the Diocese of Phoenix with Loyola University New Orleans. The Loyola Institute for Ministry Extension program (LIM or LIMEX) offers a comprehensive and unique method for adults to grow in their knowledge of the Catholic faith. Local cohorts of adult learners are paired with trained facilitators online to examine topics such as practical theology, the Trinity and Scripture. Students can earn a master’s degree in fields such as religious education and pastoral studies.
They can also earn continuing education certificates in fields such as spirituality, pastoral care and youth ministry. Many courses are available in Spanish. To read more about LIM, check out this article in The Catholic Sun and listen to a podcast interview with LIM director Dr. Tracey Lamont.
Kino Catechetical Institute
Kino is the flagship formation program of the Diocese founded in 1972. For decades it has offered robust formation programs for parish catechists, aspiring deacons, Catholic schoolteachers and those who are simply curious to know more about their faith. Courses are offered at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in both English and Spanish. Graduates of the program can become certified catechists. To read more about Kino Catechetical Institute, check out this article in The Catholic Sun and listen to the podcast interview with program manager Luz Lobato.
Franciscan at Home
Since 2021, the diocese has partnered with a vibrant ministry of Franciscan University of Steubenville. The primary focus of Franciscan at Home is to help form disciple-makers such as Catholic schoolteachers and parents. That’s done through video workshops broken into short segments that are paired with thoughtful tasks to help reinforce learning. Courses in evangelization, catechesis, Scripture, theology, pastoral care, youth ministry and more are available. Learning is self-paced and accessible on your time schedule.
To read more about Franciscan at Home check out this article in The Catholic Sun and listen to the podcast interview with Dr. Mark Ginter, the strategic partnership liaison fellow for the Southern and Midwestern United States Catechetical Institute at Franciscan University of Steubenville.
Institute of Catholic Theology
The Institute of Catholic Theology originated in the diocese 15 years ago and is headquartered at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Parish. ICT offers courses at three satellite sites: Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Tempe, St. Thomas Aquinas in Avondale and St. Bridget in Mesa. Students can earn a foundational certificate in Catholic theology and earn undergraduate credit hours.
Courses are also available online and include Christian Moral Principles, The Catechism of the Catholic Church, Catholic Social Teaching and more.
To read more about the Institute of Catholic Theology, check out this article in The Catholic Sun.