Mission Statement of Diocese of Phoenix

As we Build, Bless, and Become the Body of Christ.

Because of our Baptism, the Holy Spirit calls us, the people of the Roman Catholic Church of Phoenix, to conversion as we come together to be nourished in the Eucharist, proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, and serve the needs of all God’s people.

To be faithful to our baptismal call and our tradition, we accept the challenge to:

• build a prayerful community which welcomes and celebrates our cultural diversity;

• reach out actively and invite all, without prejudice, to experience the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ;

• and distribute justly our resources with the poor, and share with each other the gifts God has given to us.

Mission Statement of Kino Institute

• Building a prayerful community of disciples nourished at the Eucharistic table

• Deepening the human, intellectual, spiritual and pastoral formation for ministry

• Embracing, celebrating and serving our cultural diversity

• Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ

• Bearing prophetic witness to our faith through lives of charity, justice and stewardship

• Study and demonstrate an understanding of Sacred Scripture, Church teaching and the decrees and post-concilar documents of Vatican II.

• Foster a maturity of faith cultivated in dialogue and in fidelity to Sacred Tradition and magisterial teaching.

• Develop critical thinking, writing, and communication skills for theological reflection and effective pastoral leadership.

• Develop an understanding of their apostolate

•  Promote the mission of the Church through the methodology of new evangelization.

• Address key issues laity face in following Christ today along the paths of conversion, communion and solidarity.

• Engage in theological reflection, spiritual development and pastoral practice.

• Design and implement a Supervised Ministry Experience.

Through retreats participants will be invited to:

• Grow in their personal and communal spirituality

• Build a community of prayer and mutual support.

•  Share openly about God and personal experiences in light of scripture and tradition.

• Practice skills for communication and leadership in pastoral work.

Kino History

In 1972, responding to a request from then Bishop of Phoenix, Edward McCarthy, the Carmelite Order established Kino Institute as a school of theology and ministry formation. Padre Eusebio Kino, S.J. (1645-1711), who pioneered missions for Spain in the Sonora and Arizona, was the inspiration for the name Kino Institute. His custom of carrying an astrolabe* as he explored and evangelized in the southwest became the symbol for our mission to Prepare the Way. Today we continue the Carmelite lead by promoting an understanding of the pastoral implications for lay ministry and faith formation according to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church as it has emerged from the Second Vatican Council (1962-65).

What makes Kino an exciting place for learning is the community of believers who gather to share with each other the treasures of our Catholic faith and the wisdom of our tradition. You will find in this experience a faith community calling all to enter more deeply into the teachings of the Church in order to transform our lives into a closer communion in Christ and a more dynamic discipleship of service and commitment.

If you hunger to learn more about your faith or are being called to the diaconate, ministry of a catechist, parish life coordinator, pastoral associate, youth minister, liturgist, or director of religious education, Kino Institute can provide a quality program in the English or Spanish language. We look forward to serving you, as we pray and learn side by side.

A Letter from Bishop Olmsted

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Commitment to Christian education and formation for adults is an integral part of our vision to establish faith-filled families and parishes. The Church needs well-trained lay people to join with the clergy in serving the people of God. As Pope John Paul II says in Ecclesia in America, these lay works "should be undertaken only by men and women who have received the necessary training in accordance with clearly defined criteria: a stable presence, a real readiness to serve a determined group of persons, and the duty of accountability to their Pastor" (166).

With this letter, I wish to commend to you the program of ministry formation offered by Kino Institute. The curriculum, content and material presented in this program will provide the foundation for a comprehensive overview of our Catholic faith tradition. I am confident that you will join me in supporting Kino Institute as the primary formational experience for lay leadership in our Diocese.

Kino Institute has served the Diocese of Phoenix for over 30 years as the primary educator of lay leaders and diaconate candidates. I invite you to discern if Christ, through the grace of your baptism, is calling you to a deeper understanding of your faith through theological study and possibly to formation for pastoral service within His Church.

With gratitude and best wishes, I remain

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+Thomas J. Olmsted
Bishop of Phoenix

Staff Listing

Sr. Maria Celia Molina, S.S.D. de N., Coordinator, Caminante & Agua Viva
     

• Licenciatura y Maestría (1971) Teología
  Dominican College, San Rafael,California
• IPLA (1973)
  CELAM, Quito, Ecuador

Sr. Darcy Peletich, O.S.F., Librarian
     

• M.A. Pastoral Counseling (1988), Loyola College, Baltimore, MD
  
• M.A. Theology (1984), St. Mary's Seminary and University, Baltimore, MD
  
• M.A. Instructional Design (1977), University of Iowa City, IA
  
• M.L.S. Librarianship (1972), Emporia State University, Emporia, KS
  
• B.A. History (1969), Briar Cliff College, Sioux City, IA