Welcome Parish Catechists!

Welcome, Catechists and future Catechists! Thank you for your willingness to serve the Church by handing on the faith. Kino Catechetical Institute is here to provide a world-class catechetical formation to the faithful of the Diocese. We want to help you grow in knowledge of and love for your Catholic faith!

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  • Why Kino?

  • Classroom Environment

  • Your Coursework

  • Your Schedule

  • Getting Started

Already a Catechist? Learn About Recertification

Why Kino Catechetical Institute?

Benefits of Kino

  • Learn more about your Catholic faith!
  • Meet fellow Catholics, including other deacon inquirers, from across the Diocese.
  • Learn the “why” behind what we believe, plus skills for sharing these truths.
  • Be formed as a catechist to support any work the Holy Spirit calls you to do for the Church.

Features of Kino

  • The Catholic Faith, taught from the heart and mind of the Church, by experienced instructors, catechists, clergy and religious from throughout the diocese.

  • Dynamic formation aimed at preparing students to bear confident, charitable witness to the truths of the faith, in whatever way they are called to do so.

  • A two-year formation which will help you discern more clearly how you are called to serve under the mission of the Catholic Church.

  • Systematic, comprehensive overview of the doctrine and dogma of the Catholic Faith, rooted in the Sacred Scriptures and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

  • Graduates of Kino Catechetical Institute’s Adult Faith Formation/Parish Leadership Combined program receive an advanced catechist certification from the Diocese of Phoenix.

  • Auditors of the Adult Faith Formation/Parish Leadership Combined program will receive a basic catechist certification.

Classroom Environment

  • All classes begin and end with prayer.
  • Experienced, knowledgeable instructors, representing a variety of ministries and outreaches in the diocese, share their knowledge, expertise and love of the Catholic Faith.
  • Diverse mix of adult learners, who go through the program as a cohort, and so come to know and love one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.
  • Opportunities to ask questions, discuss challenges, and learn from dynamic interaction with instructors and fellow students.
  • Distance learning opportunities available.

Your Coursework

  • Adult Faith Formation: 14 five-week courses on Catholic doctrine and dogma over the course of two academic years.
  • Parish Leadership: four (4) two-day courses focusing on the methodology and pedagogy of handing on the Catholic Faith.
  • All courses will have textbooks, reading assignments and end-of-course assessments.
  • All courses are available for credit or to audit. Auditors are not required to complete any coursework and will not receive grades.
Adult Faith Formation + Parish Leadership

Your Schedule

  • We do our best to accommodate your busy schedule! Choose from the Adult Faith Formation evening cohort on Tuesdays or Wednesday from 6:30-9:30 p.m. or the daytime cohort on Wednesdays or Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
  • Parish Leadership courses are offered every other Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a one-hour break for lunch.
  • All courses are held at the Diocesan Pastoral Center.

Schedule Adult Faith Formation and Parish Leadership

Getting Started

Are you ready to join us? Please contact us via our Admissions page.

Admissions