Catholic Foundation News

Religious Formation Ministry receives grants for catechetical leadership

 Catholic Foundation / 
5/30/2012 9:11:39 AM

In May, the Catholic Church Extension Society awarded the El Paso Diocese Religious Formation Ministry two multi-year grants to support and train catechetical leaders for the diocese.

Through the Graduate Ministry Scholarships Initiative, Catholic Extension is providing a fiveyear grant totaling $85,989 to help sponsor four of El Paso's lay leaders to complete the master of arts in pastoral studies at Catholic Theological Union. These Extension Scholars will be able to assist the diocese in training parish catechetical leaders and catechists and be available to teach courses at Tepeyac Institute, the diocesan formation center for ministers.

In addition, Catholic Extension awarded the Religious Formation Ministry a three-year grant totaling $66,478 through the Hispanic Lay Leadership Initiative to help fund the position of Coordinator of Religious Formation for Rural West Texas. The coordinator, Lupe Gonzalez, serves more than 20 faith communities in the nine rural counties of the diocese by providing leadership training and material assistance to parish catechetical leaders, confirmation coordinators, and catechists.

On behalf of Bishop Armando X. Ochoa, our Apostolic Administrator, and the Religious Formation Ministry, the Foundation for the Diocese of El Paso extends sincere appreciation to the Catholic Church Extension Society for their continued support of the programs and ministries of the diocese.