Alongside of its academic coursework and parish formation encounters, the Institute for Ministry Formation provides other opportunities for personal spiritual enrichment. Monthly, from January to November 2023, the IMF co-sponsored a formation course, held at Saint John the Evangelist Parish, Latrobe, to help form those who accompany children in their journey of faith.

Celine Mitchell, national formation leader and IMF instructor, helped fifteen women from the Dioceses of Greensburg and Pittsburgh complete over 100 hours of formation and receive certification to guide children, ages 6 to 9, in Level 2 of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Two others returned to deepen prior formation. It is intentional that these classes are called “formation” courses, because the participants not only learn content, but hearts are transformed by reflection on the Word of God, the opening of the mysteries revealed through liturgical and sacramental signs, and the sharing of others. CGS is an evangelizing catechesis, because for adults and children alike, there is an encounter with Jesus. Read more at the CGS Connections tab at https://imf.saintvincentseminary.edu/event/introduction-to-cgs-a-liturgical-and-kerygmatic-catechesis/