Program Features

• Provides High Quality Formation – We partner with Catholic Distance University and the University of Notre Dame to offer well-designed, highly-informative continuing education courses on a non-credit basis.
• Leverages Technology – All courses are offered online, which increases convenience and eliminates travel time.
• Minimizes Cost – Course fees range from $30 to $80, and there is usually no expense for books since most readings are available online. For part-time and full-time employees of parishes, schools, and agencies of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, there is also full or partial reimbursement of fees upon course completion.
• Provides Flexibility – Some people may want to take just one class, and that is fine. Others may want to take several classes or pursue a Certificate in Lay Ministry, which involves the completion of 12 non-credit continuing education classes offered through the Satellite Theological Education Program (STEP) from the University of Notre Dame. The classes can be taken in any order, and there is no deadline for completing all 12 classes.

Our Model for Formation

The Foundation: Basic Catechetical Formation

Our Catholic Faith is based on fundamental teachings and truths, and there is tremendous value in learning about them in a systematic way, so they can fully illuminate your relationship with God and with other people. Catholic Distance University (CDU) offers academic courses on the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Continuing Education Courses that are an excellent introduction for people new to the Catholic Faith or a refresher for people who want to re-visit these essential building blocks of our identity as Catholics. Please click here for more information

 

The Core: Ministry-Specific Formation

The Satellite Theological Education Program (STEP) through the University of Notre Dame offers 45 non-credit continuing education classes that are all available online. For most of the classes, no books are required. There are classes to support many different areas of ministry, including youth ministry, religious education, social work, and liturgy. Catholic Distance University also offers a variety of online seminars related to Church ministry. You can take one class or several classes to meet your personal formation needs. Please click here for more information

 

The Capstone: Certificate and Degree Programs

Certificate Program

Completion of 12 designated non-credit continuing education classes through the Satellite Theological Program (STEP) of the University of Notre Dame, as well as meeting the other requirements listed, will lead to a Certificate in Lay Ministry through the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Classes are discounted, and for part-time and full-time employees of the parishes, schools and agencies of the Archdiocese there is partial reimbursement upon course completion. Please click here for more information

Degree Programs

On this page, there is information about Catholic colleges and universities in the Archdiocese that offer undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Although there is currently no reimbursement available through the Lay Ministry Program for for-credit classes, we encourage you to visit their websites to learn more about their programs. Please click here for more information

 

Questions

Please contact:

Paul Sifuentes
Senior Director, Department for Parish Leadership
Archdiocese of Indianapolis
(317) 236-1589
psifuentes@archindy.org