Formation for Pastoral Services

In 1978 the Archdiocesan Formation for Pastoral Services Program Committee was established in order to develop educational programs for lay persons working in various aspects of ministry. The committee operated for over a decade, however it was terminated for one year on April 30, 1991 pending an evaluation of its contents, especially with regard to its theology of ministry, costs, and suitability for the Archdiocese. An ad hoc committee was established by the Council of Priests to conduct this evaluation and to present a report to the Council and the Diocesan Pastoral Council by February 1992. Members of this committee included Susan Campbell, Joy Borle, Joan Kirk, Bernice Mahoney, and Ken West.

Between 1993 and 1996 the Archdiocese Ministry Formation board reviewed the report, and in 1996, Newman College and the Archdiocese of Edmonton agreed to co-sponsor the Formation for Pastoral Services program. Kim Warner was hired to develop an educational program for the formation of volunteer laypersons in parishes.

The aim of the Formation for Pastoral Services Program was to provide formation for laypersons for pastoral, liturgical, catechetical and evangelization ministries in urban and rural populations.

Participants of the program attended weekend courses from September to June over a period of two years at the end of which, they received a Certificate in Formation for Pastoral Services. For those who wished to continue their education it counted as twelve credits towards a Diploma in Theological Studies from Newman Theological College.

The program ended in 2006, when the offices of the Archdiocese were re-structured.