Faith Formation and Catechesis is the act of handing on the Word of God intended to inform the Faith Community about the teachings of Christ, transmitted by the Apostles to the Church. Catechesis also involves the lifelong effort of forming people into witnesses to Christ and opening their hearts to the spiritual transformation given by the Holy Spirit.

The purpose of catechesis is to make a person's "faith become living, conscious, and active, through the light of instruction" (Vatican Council II: Decree on the Bishop's Pastoral Office in the Church, 14). In a continuing effort to teach the Gospel authentically, Bishop Zubik, assisted at all levels by parents, priests, directors for religious education, and catechists, ensures that catechetical goals and priorities are established by the Church community, that the necessary structures exist, and that appropriate programs are designated, carried out, and evaluated.

The character of catechesis has the two-fold objective of maturing the initial faith and of educating the true disciples of Christ by means of a deeper and more systematic knowledge of the person and mission of our Lord Jesus Christ. All good catechesis inspires the disciple to search for even greater knowledge. It is vital to hand on to our children a knowledge of the faith that is reasonable and provides for them a source of meaning for their lives. It must deal with all the essentials in a systematic way. 

There are four dimensions of catechesis that remind us that the formation of a Catholic person is the privilege and responsibility of the entire community. Thus, every religious education program should include: The Ministry of Word (Jesus is the center of our life, given to us through Scripture and Tradition), The Ministry of Community (The community by its very nature teaches and models what it means to be a follower of Jesus.), The Ministry of Worship (The Liturgy and Sacraments are the supreme celebration of the Paschal Mystery of Christ.), and the Ministry of Service (The work of catechesis is to offer the vision that service to our brothers and sisters is not an option of the Christian life, but integral to the Gospel.)