Upcoming Faith Formation and Catechetical Certification Opportunities for Winter 2026
January 8, 20265

Catechesis is central to evangelization and mission in the Church and core to catechesis are the Scriptures and the Tradition of the Church. Whether you are active as a catechist or are interested in learning more about your faith, the courses and seminars offered by the University of Dayton’s VLCFF through the Diocese of Wheeling Charleston will deepen your understanding of the Catholic faith and Tradition. Courses are offered in person, online and hybrid. Below are three hybrid courses being offered beginning Jan 19th. All courses are free but registration is required. The courses are being underwritten by the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston’s Office of Evangelization & Catechesis, who pays 100% of the tuition and the cost of any books associated with the courses.

The course instructor is Dr. Rodica Stoicoiu. For further information or to register, please contact Rodica at rodicastoicoiuphd@gmail.com with your name, address, email, and phone number.

The Diocese of Wheeling Charleston offers Catechetical Certification and recognizes VLCFF courses for various levels of certification. Certain courses are especially designed for volunteer catechists, Catholic school religion teachers, members of OCIA teams and all those who would be enriched by formal training in this field. For further information regarding the VLCFF certification program please contact Dr. Stoicoiu or Ms. Shirley Carter at scarter@dwc.org. There are 6 required courses for level one certification including the Roman Catholic Catechesis for Faith Formation class below. Both classes are open to ALL adults interested in deepening their faith and growing in their understanding of the theology and Tradition of the Church.

Roman Catholic Catechesis for Faith Formation

Five Week Course.
Begins the week of Jan 19th.
This course is part of the Certificate in Catechesis series. This course explores the tasks of catechesis as presented in the Directory for Catechesis (2020). These tasks, focused on our relationship with Jesus Christ, guide our mission to “go forth and make disciples of all nations” (Mt.28:19). This course is part of the Certificate in Catechesis and will be especially helpful for catechists, members of OCIA teams, and all those interested in deepening their faith. The class will meet on Wednesday evenings on Zoom at 7 pm beginning on Jan 21st.

Advanced Catholic Social Teaching

Five Week Course.
Begins the week of Jan 19th.
It has been said that the social justice teachings of the Church are some of its best kept secrets! This course is designed to deepen our understanding of the basis or social justice and builds on background that students bring from other social justice courses or life experience. This course is part of the Certificate in Social Justice series, is open to everyone. The class will meet on Thursday afternoons at 4 pm on Zoom beginning on Jan 22nd.

This Land Is Home To Me: The Cry of Appalachia

Special three-week seminar
Begins the week of Jan 19th.
It was developed especially for the 175th anniversary of the Diocese of Wheeling Charleston. The people of Appalachia have a special story to tell about their relationship with the land, with one another and with God. As part of the ongoing celebrations, the Church of West Virginia is invited to participate in this seminar focused on the Pastoral Letter: This Land is Home to Me. We will study and discuss the Pastoral in light of the Appalachian experiences of poverty, powerlessness and suffering today. The current scheduled seminar meets via Zoom on Monday evenings at 7 pm with our first meeting on Monday Jan 19th.

To register or for further information about any of the courses please contact Dr. Rodica Stoicoiu at rodicastoicoiuphd@gmail.com

We are called throughout our lives to turn and return to God. This is the process of ongoing conversion. Deepening our understanding of faith, growing in our relationship with God and one another includes learning about that faith, the Scriptures and our Tradition. Take time this year to meet other Catholics, learn, discuss and deepen your faith.