Welcome Aspiring Deacons!

Are you discerning a call to the permanent diaconate? Congratulations! Kino Catechetical Institute is proud to be the first stop on your official path of discernment.

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  • Why Kino?

  • Classroom Environment

  • Your Coursework

  • Your Schedule

  • Getting Started

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 men discern more clearly if they are called to pursue the permanent diaconate.

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

Classroom Environment

  • All classes begin and end with prayer.
  • Experienced 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 consists of 14 five-week courses on Catholic doctrine and dogma, taught over the course of two academic years.
  • Parish Leadership consists of 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.
  • Deacon Inquirers are required to take the Adult Faith Formation/Parish Leadership Combined program, for credit, and are required to carry a grade of “B” or better in all Kino courses.
Adult Faith Formation & Parish Leadership

Your Schedule

  • Adult Faith Formation courses in our evening cohort are offered on either Tuesday (even years) or Wednesday (odd years) evenings during the academic year.
  • Evening courses run from 6:30-9:30pm.
  • Adult Faith Formation courses in our daytime cohort are offered on either Wednesday (odd years) or Thursday (even years) mornings during the academic year.
  • Daytime courses run from 9:00am-Noon.
  • Parish Leadership courses are offered on Saturdays during the academic year. Each course meets from 9am-4pm, with a one-hour break for lunch.’
  • All of our courses are held at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, 400 E Monroe St., Phoenix, AZ 85004.

Schedule All English Programs 2024-2025

Schedule All English Programs 2025-2026

Getting Started

Are you ready to join us? Please click on the admissions button below.

Admissions