Christifideles

A Program of Formation and Graduate Education for Lay Ecclesial Ministers

Responding to Archbishop Etienne’s call to revitalize the crucial role of lay ministers in the Church, the Archdiocese of Seattle is calling forth qualified candidates, assisting in their discernment, providing human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation, and supporting them with continuing formation. We are collaborating with Catholic institutions to offer the opportunity to grow in their ability to serve the Church.

Christifideles offers formation and education for lay leaders through a partnership between the Archdiocese of Seattle and Catholic institutions to offer:

*New: Certification in pastoral care and accompaniment (information below)
Certification in youth and young adult ministry
Master of Science in Church Management (Villanova University, application for this cohort now closed)
Spiritual support through spiritual direction, accompaniment, and retreats
Community building through interaction and collaboration with other ministers

Graduates are well positioned to serve in roles such as:

Pastoral Care Ministries
Youth and Young Adult Ministries
Faith Formation
Hispanic Ministry
Parish Administration

Program Components

Human and Spiritual Formation

Join the cohort, which is a community of students that move through formation together even though they may attend different programs.
Grow through retreats and spiritual direction.
Attend Evenings of Reflection—opportunities to learn more about archdiocesan priorities, programs, and staff.
Celebrate progress through annual luncheons and other events.

Academic Formation

Complete a graduate degree or certificate at one of our Catholic institution partners

Ministerial Competencies

To be accepted into the program, applicants should demonstrate the ability to:

Express their spirituality as an integral part of themselves and nurture their relationship with God through regular prayer.
Speak and act in ways congruent with the Church’s faith, beliefs, moral, and social teachings.
Respect all individuals and demonstrate sensitivity to the rich ethnic, racial, gender, and cultural diversity of parishioners; they should celebrate and integrate the individual uniqueness of all persons.
Respect the worth and potential for growth of individuals and communities and for others’ points of view.
Take responsibility for themselves, make decisions, and deal with the consequences.
Set goals, articulate personal values, and make decisions in light of personal values and without undue influence from others. At the same time, they should be able to follow goals set by those responsible for the common good and act according to established procedures.
Identify their personal strengths and weaknesses, remain open to feedback from others and be able to change their own behaviors and attitudes when needed.

Benefits of Participating in Christifideles

Certificate in Pastoral Care and Accompaniment

Course description and schedules

Registration opens here on November 5, 2024.
Deadline to apply is January 10, 2025.

This 9-month certificate program equips participants with the practical skills and abilities necessary for effective pastoral care and accompaniment ministry within the Archdiocese of Seattle. The curriculum includes formation in human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral skills as well as a pastoral practicum during the summer. It will also equip ministers to successfully accompany others who are hurting, particularly those on the margins, in a diverse range of cultural contexts and ministerial settings.

This certificate program is for current and future pastoral care and outreach ministers, both paid and volunteer, and others who desire to minister in various capacities in their parish families and surrounding communities. Participants attend classes as a cohort within the Christifideles program and benefit from retreats, evenings of reflection, and other Christifideles activities.

For questions contact Deacon Eric Paige

Certificate in Youth and Young Adult Ministry (YYAM)

Fall term schedule

The 15-month Youth and Young Adult certificate program explores the current framework of youth and young adult ministry in context with Partners in the Gospel. Curriculum includes outreach projects at the end of each session, and equips ministers for successful youth ministry and young adult programs within the parish family setting.

For current and future youth and young adult ministers, and others who will minister to these age groups. Participants experience class as a cohort within the Christifideles program and will also benefit from retreats, evenings of reflection, and other Christifideles activities.

More information about the certificate in youth and young adult ministry

Application is now closed. For questions contact Kimberly Abadir, Director of Youth Ministry Services.

A cohort is a community of students who move through formation together even though they may attend different programs.

Once you apply to become part of the cohort, you will then apply to your graduate or certificate program. Please read about these programs below for deadlines and more details.

Meet our YYAM cohort

Meet our MA cohort

Partnerships with Catholic Institutions

Santa Clara University: Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministries

Receive a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministries, with optional emphasis in: Restorative Justice & Chaplaincy; Latina/o Ministries; or Youth and Young Adult Ministries. This synchronous program is offered in a hybrid format, with three in-person sessions and six-seven online sessions.

Next cohort for Santa Clara in Fall of 2025

Villanova: Master of Science in Church Management

An online graduate business program that provides a high-level skill set in church management, built upon a solid business curriculum and a faith-based approach. Each course is meticulously designed for current and future Church leaders.

Questions? Contact Deacon Eric Paige via email or call 206-382-4864.
Lay Ecclesial Minister Formation