About the program
The Diocese of Greensburg, in cooperation with the Institute for Ministry Formation (IMF), offers a robust formation
program for adults interested in growing in faith, deepening their knowledge of the faith, and in developing skills for ministry in faith formation. The Institute for Ministry Formation offers the highest quality of graduate education through courses taught by professors that are highly experienced and acclaimed for their excellence. This formation program, in collaboration with the Diocese of Greensburg, builds on the IMF’s Certificate in Catechesis (for more information see here) and provides some additional advantages:
- Formation workshops
- Fellowship and mutual support through a cohort of local participants
- Support from diocesan staff for integration into the pastoral priorities and mission of the Diocese
- Local offerings for retreats and spiritual direction
- Financial support
The successful completion of the Diocese of Greensburg program yields a certificate of completion in addition to the IMF’s Catechetics certificate. Graduates will be well positioned for official and unofficial participation in the evangelization and catechetical ministry of the Diocese of Greensburg.
Program Format: Online and In-Person
The program is offered with both online and in-person elements for the Diocese of Greensburg. Courses for the IMF’s Catechetics certificate are offered in a live, online format. Students are expected to log in and participate fully in weekly, interactive video-conferenced lectures as well as view shorter recorded lectures and complete discussion posts, write papers and take exams. There are also some courses that are offered in person across several Saturdays from 9am to 3pm with a break for lunch. These courses are hosted at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, PA.
Time Commitment and Schedule for Completion
The entire formation program requires two years to complete. Courses are scheduled for Thursday evenings in two successive time slots — 6:30-7:45pm and 8:00-9:15pm — in the fall and spring semesters on dates that follow the St. Vincent College calendar (the current calendar can be found here–roughly the last week of August to the first week of December and the third week of January to the first week of May). Some courses are also offered on some Saturdays during those semesters. Some Saturday Workshops and weekend retreats are also required as part of the additional formation offered by the Diocese of Greensburg.
Enlighten! – Year 1 – Fall Semester 2025: Discipleship Formation
Academic Course Schedule
IMCA-600: Principles of Prayer & Catholic Spirituality; this course meets Thursdays 6:30pm-7:45pm ONLINE on the following dates: August 28; September 4, 11, 18, 25; October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; November 6, 13, 20; December 4
IMCA-780: Introduction to Liturgical & Kerygmatic Catechesis; this course meets Thursdays 8:00pm-9:15pm ONLINE on the following dates: August 28; September 4, 11, 18, 25; October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; November 6, 13, 20; December 4
IMCA-631: Overview of the Old Testament; this course meets Saturdays in-person at the following times: 9am-3pm on September 6th and 20th and 9am-10am on October 18th
Workshop Schedule
Saturday, August 9, 2025: Orientation – 9am-3pm (Saint Vincent Seminary)
Saturday, October 18, 2025: Theological Reflection – 10am-12pm (Saint Vincent Seminary)
Saturday, November 8, 2025: Liturgical Skills – 9am-12pm (Christ Our Shepherd Center)
Enlighten! – Year 1 – Spring Semester 2026: Discipleship Formation
Academic Course Schedule
IMCA-630: Praying Sacred Scripture; this course meets Thursdays 6:30pm-7:45pm ONLINE on the following dates: January 15, 22,29; February 5, 12, 19, 26; March 12, 19, 26; April 9, 16, 23, 30; May 7
IMCA-780: Catechesis in the New Evangelization; this course meets Thursdays 8:00pm-9:15pm ONLINE on the following dates: January 15, 22,29; February 5, 12, 19, 26; March 12, 19, 26; April 9, 16, 23, 30; May 7
Workshop Schedule
Saturday, January 3, 2026: Psychological Evaluation – 9am (Pastoral Center)
Saturday, February 21, 2026: Strength-Finders Workshop – 9am-12pm (Christ Our Shepherd Center)
Saturday, March 13-15, 2026: Retreat (Location TBA)
Saturday, April 25: Diocesan Workshop – Managing Directors, 9am-12pm (Christ Our Shepherd Center)
Saturday, May 9: Local Church/Intercultural Competence Workshop, 9am-12pm (Christ Our Shepherd Center)
Enlighten! – Year 2 – Fall Semester 2025: Pastoral Experience
Academic Course Schedule
IMCA-610: Creed: I Believe! We Believe!; this course meets Thursdays 6:30pm-7:45pm ONLINE on the following dates: August 28; September 4, 11, 18, 25; October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; November 6, 13, 20; December 4
IMCA-601: SD1: Art of Accompaniment; this course meets Thursdays 8:00pm-9:15pm ONLINE on the following dates: August 28; September 4, 11, 18, 25; October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; November 6, 13, 20; December 4
IMCA-615: Church History from Christendom to Apostolic Age; this course meets Saturdays in-person at the following times: 8:30am-12noon on September 27th and 8:30am-12pm on October 4th, 11th, and 18th
Workshop Schedule
Saturday, August 23, 2025: Practical Skills for Parish Ministry – 9am-12pm (Christ Our Shepherd Center)
Saturday, October 25, 2025: Adult Faith Formation Workshop – 9am-12pm (Christ Our Shepherd Center)
Saturday, November 8, 2025: Liturgical Skills – 9am-12pm (Christ Our Shepherd Center)
Enlighten! – Year 2 – Spring Semester 2026: Pastoral Experience
Academic Course Schedule
IMCA-660: Moral Theology for Catechists; this course meets Thursdays 6:30pm-7:45pm ONLINE on the following dates: January 15, 22,29; February 5, 12, 19, 26; March 12, 19, 26; April 9, 16, 23, 30; May 7
IMCA-670: Christian Anthropology and Catechesis; this course meets Thursdays 8:00pm-9:15pm ONLINE on the following dates: January 15, 22,29; February 5, 12, 19, 26; March 12, 19, 26; April 9, 16, 23, 30; May 7
Workshop Schedule
Saturday, March 13-15, 2026: Retreat (Location TBA)
Saturday, April 25: Diocesan Workshop – Managing Directors, 9am-12pm (Christ Our Shepherd Center)
Saturday, May 9: Local Church/Intercultural Competence Workshop, 9am-12pm (Christ Our Shepherd Center)
Application for the program
Those interested in the Diocese of Greensburg Catechetical Formation Program should submit their application first to the Institute for Ministry Formation using the IMF’s secure online application. They must be sure to check the box for Diocese of Greensburg Catechetical Formation Program. After initially processing the application, viable candidates will be sent for an interview with the Diocese of Greensburg’s Office of Faith, Family and Discipleship. Upon acceptance, new students will be registered for fall classes and begin their journey to a deeper faith with the IMF and the Diocese of Greensburg.
Need Additional Financial Aid?
Once accepted to the Enlighten! program, keep in mind that Anselm Funds will be applied to cover 50% of your tuition each semester. If you are in need of additional funding, the IMF can offer a limited amount of need-based scholarship aid. To receive IMF financial assistance, you must complete an application EVERY semester that you take classes. Please consider your Anselm Funds contribution when requesting aid from the IMF (do not base your request on the full price of tuition when you are already receiving a 50% discount). To apply for financial aid, click here.
Further Information
Interested in joining Enlighten! in August 2025? Want to know more?
Join us for an informational session:
- Thursday, April 3 @ 7:00 PM Zoom only
- Sunday, May 4 @ 1:00 PM Zoom only
- Thursday, May 29 @ 7:00 PM Zoom only
To register for one of these info sessions, please email Bobbie Anne Abson at bobbie.abson@stvincent.edu
For more information about the Diocese of Greensburg Catechetical Formation Program please contact:
Fr. Dan Carr (Phone: 724-837-0901 or email: dcarr@dioceseofgreensburg.org) or
Mrs. Elizabeth Haberstroh (Phone: 724-837-0901 or email: ehaberstroh@dioceseofgreensburg.org).