Maryvale Institute’s Department for Parish and Family Catechesis was founded in order to support the catechetical work of the Birmingham Archdiocese. The Department seeks to respond to the desire of the Church, expressed in Novo Millennio Ineunte, to place the call to holiness and prayer at the heart of all pastoral planning.
The Department provides short courses and an advisory service for parishes and deaneries, including advice and support on special religious educational needs. It collaborates in the production of resources to support parish catechetics and adult formation.
The Department has a particular focus upon adult education and on supporting the mission of family. An Advisor for Evangelisation aids parishes in developing strategies for evangelisation and outreach while a Co-ordinator of Parenting and Family Learning works with volunteers to provide support for catechesis and faith development in the family.
Local deanery and area-based catechetical associations, with local chaplains, provide a point of reference for on-going in-service and training for lay catechists, and the Department encourages the use of Maryvale’s courses for this provision, especially Echoes and the two-year Certificate for Parish Catechists.
