Facebook LinkedIn Instagram

Resources for Parish Catechetical Leaders

- This page is a place of support for parish catechetical leaders, offering trusted resources to help you nurture faith, guide learners of all ages, and strengthen your parish community. Here you will find practical tools and encouragement to support your important ministry.
- Forming Those Who Form Others
  
  Franciscan at Home
  
  The Diocese of Portland partners with Franciscan University’s Catechetical Institute to provide easily-accessible, high-quality formation and enrichment opportunities for parish catechetical leaders. Through this partnership, leaders can deepen their theological understanding, strengthen practical ministry skills, and continue their own faith formation at a pace that fits their busy schedules.
  
  Click here to explore more than 230 online courses, workshops, and resources designed to support your ongoing growth and service to the Church. Certifications are offered to any catechist, youth minister, or parish catechetical leader who completes a designated track. Courses are free within the diocese through the Lay Continuing Education & Formation Endowment Fund.
Lifelong Faith Formation Association
- The Lifelong Faith Formation Association is an independent, supportive community of catechetical leaders across Maine who gather for professional development, regional meetings, and retreats while encouraging one another in ministry.
  
  Membership dues help support these events and guest speakers. By joining, you will receive Lifelong Faith Formation Association communications, including monthly meeting notes, reminders, and a complimentary copy of the selected book. Paid members also receive access to a secure member directory to help foster connection and collaboration within the association.
  
  *A catechetical leader is the person designated by the pastor and recognized by the Office for Lifelong Faith Formation as being responsible for catechetical ministry in a parish or cluster, including but not limited to Pastoral Life Coordinator (PLC), Parish Catechetical Leader (PCL), Pastoral Associate (PA), Director/Coordinator of Faith Formation, Youth Minister/Coordinator of Youth Ministry (YM/CYM), Cluster Catechetical Leader (CCL).
- To join, fill out the following online form:
  
  This form is not accepting responses at this time.
  
  Welcome to the Lifelong Faith Formation Association!
  
  Please complete the form below to receive LFFA communications (notes from the monthly meetings, upcoming meeting reminders) and a complimentary copy of the book read.
  
  First Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Last Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Diocesan/Parish Email REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter an email address.
  
  Preferred Phone Number REQUIRED Maximum 20 characters Please fill out this field. Please enter a phone number.
  
  Type of Phone REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
  
  Do you give permission for your preferred email address and phone number to be included in the LFFA member directory? Only paid LFFA members wil have access to the directory. The information will not be shared beyond LFFA members without asking for additional permission.
  I Agree Please select this field.
  
  Professional Information
  
  Parish Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Official Title REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Membership Type
  
  Membership REQUIRED Returning Member New Member Please fill out this field.
  
  Membership Fee:35.0
  
  Total:
  
  Submit
  
  Proceed to Payment
- Annual Dues for members are $35* per person (paid by October 10).
  
  Please make checks payable to:
  
  Lifelong Faith Formation Association
  In the memo line of the check, please put: LFFA dues & name of member(s)
  
  Mail the payment to:
  
  Diocese of Portland
  Attn: OLFF
  510 Ocean Avenue
  Portland, ME 04103
  
  *Limited scholarships are available to reduce the annual dues. Please contact Joanne Fortier (LFFA Treasurer) to make a request.
- LFFA Meeting Locations
  
  Each LFFA meeting is offered both virtually and in person. In-person gatherings are held the following locations in the diocese:
  Chancery Offices, 510 Ocean Avenue, Portland
  St. Mary's Church, 333 Main Street, Presque Isle
- LFFA Leadership Board
  
  The LFFA is guided by a leadership board made up of catechetical and youth ministry leaders who currently serve in Maine parishes and have been members of the association for at least two years. A list of current board members is provided below. Please feel free to reach out with questions, comments, or suggestions that can support our shared mission in the Church.
- Leadership Board
  
  Melissa Babin
  
  Chair, Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Parish, Madawaska
  
  (207) 728-7531
  melissa.babinportlanddiocese.org
  
  Dawn MacKay
  
  Vice Chair, St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Bangor
  
  (207) 217-6740
  dawn.mackayportlanddiocese.org
  
  Joanne Fortier
  
  Treasurer, St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Norway
  
  (207) 583-4284
  joanne.fortierportlanddiocese.org
  
  Clare Desrosiers
  
  Secretary, St. Mary of the Visitation Parish, Houlton
  
  (207) 538-2871
  clare.desrosiersportlanddiocese.org
- Vicariate Representatives
  
  Vicariate I: Bethany Bellamy (Parish of the Precious Blood, Caribou)
  
  Vicariate II: Dawn McKay (St. Paul the Apostle, Bangor)
  
  Vicariate III: Vacant
  
  Vicariates IV: Tyler Nadeau (Prince of Peace, Lewiston)
  
  Vicariates V: Abrey Feliccia (Portland Peninsula & Island Parishes, Portland)
  
  Vicariate VI: Roseanne Smith (Holy Spirit, Wells)
  
  Ex Officio Members:
  Kim Suttie, Director of the Office of Lifelong Faith Formation
  Gina Czerwinski, Coordinator of Children and Family Ministry
  Hannah Gonneville, Administrative Assistant for Lifelong Faith Formation

Resources for Parish Catechetical Leaders

Welcome to the Lifelong Faith Formation Association!

Professional Information

Membership Type

Annual Dues for members are $35* per person (paid by October 10).