Your Gift Supports - Ministry Formation

The Ministry Formation department trains and forms priests, deacons, parish directors and lay ministers. Much of this work takes place through the Commissioned Ministry program. Commissioned Ministry plays an important role in training and mentoring future parish and school leaders.

Minister Services also oversees a program called "Protecting God’s Children". This program’s goal is to help end sexual abuse and involves extensive on-going education and training through VIRTUS seminars. Over 17,000 priests, parish, diocesan and school staff, as well as volunteers, have gone through VIRTUS and each person have undergone a complete legal background check.

In 2008, the Bishop’s Appeal distributed $873,001 to the Ministry Formation department to support their ministries.