PALM BEACH GARDENS | On Aug. 7, shortly before the start of the School of Christian Formation’s 2024-25 year, the program’s instructors were invited to Mass and dinner in appreciation of their work.
Father Duván Bermudez, director of the Office of Hispanic Ministry and the School of Christian Formation, thanked the teachers during the liturgy for their dedication to helping adults gain a better understanding of the Catholic faith. He urged them to have confidence in the Lord that he will fill their needs and invited them to reflect their full trust in Jesus, who is the true bread of life.
Classes in the School of Christian Formation began the week of Aug. 12 in English and Spanish at sites throughout the diocese. The courses focus on topics such as spirituality, pastoral ministry, Old and New Testament, Christology, Vatican II, sacraments, social justice and morality.
The English language locations are, in the Northern Deanery, St. Helen in Vero Beach and Holy Family in Port St. Lucie; in the Cathedral Deanery, at St. Patrick in Palm Beach Gardens; the Central Deanery, at Holy Name of Jesus and St. Ann in West Palm Beach and Our Lady Queen of the Apostles, Royal Palm Beach; and in the Southern Deanery, at Emmanuel and St. Vincent Ferrer in Delray Beach and St. Joan of Arc and St. Jude, Boca Raton. A Level II course, “Jesus and Jewish Roots of the Eucharist,” is set to start Sept. 14 at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola in Palm Beach Gardens.
The Spanish language course locations are, in the Northern Deanery, San Juan Diego Hispanic Pastoral Center in Fort Pierce, St. Lucie in Port St. Lucie and St. Helen; in the Cathedral Deanery, St. Joseph in Stuart and St. John Fisher in West Palm Beach; the Central Deanery, St. Luke in Palm Springs and St. Rita in Wellington and Holy Name of Jesus, St. Ann and St. Juliana, West Palm Beach; and in the Southern Deanery, Our Lady Queen of Peace in Delray Beach and St. Jude in Boca Raton. A Spanish Level II course, “Jesús Eucaristia,” will start Sept. 14 at the cathedral.
The school began in the 1990s as an outreach to local Hispanics, but now the diocese recommends the courses for all the faithful, especially those serving in liturgical, educational and spiritual ministries. There is a separate track for students who are migrant residents in the region, allowing them to complete the courses at their own pace, available in Belle Glade, Boynton Beach, Fellsmere, Jupiter, Lake Worth, Okeechobee and Port St. Lucie.
Students who complete all the requirements, including an annual retreat set for Saturday, April 26, 2025, at St. Peter in Jupiter, will receive a certificate from Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito at graduation, scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at the cathedral.
The School of Christian Formation seeks to make its programming accessible to everyone. While the fee for each class is $10, plus the price of the textbook, those who are active in parish ministry may wish to seek financial support from their parish. But no one who is unable to pay will be turned away.
Paule Jean-Mary, who graduated from the school in 2022 and is a first-time teacher this year, said she and others were asked by Father Bermudez about becoming a teacher. But she hesitated about a year because she was unsure about instructing adults.
“I was very comfortable teaching the young kids at Our Lady Queen of the Apostles in the religious education program,” she said. “So, this is my first year with adults and it’s just nerve-wracking thinking about it. I’ll just have to take one day at a time.”
A 17-year School of Christian Formation teacher, Carolyn Dean, said she is excited about beginning the school year at St. Helen.
“Adults are hungry to understand the church and the faith,” she said. “This makes me cry because they’re adults and their whole life they’ve gone through the motions. But they don’t get the deep stuff, and they love it. They love getting it, and I love watching them get it.”
To learn about the School of Christian Formation and its course schedule, visit www.diocesepb.org/ministriesoffices/ministries/hispanic-ministry/school-of-christian-formation/ or contact Armando Garcia at 561-775-9544 or agarcia@diocesepb.org.
