Religious Education

For more information, please visit http://faithformation.syrdio.org

Vision Statement: We, the Religious Education Staff of the Diocese of Syracuse, inspired by the Life and Mission of Jesus Christ, commit ourselves to enable the people of this Diocese to recognize the presence of God in their daily lives and to act in Light of the Gospel Message and its challenge to our time and culture.

We will...

  • Respond to the needs of DRE's/REA's, parish leaders, coordinators and catechists through education formation and resources.
  • Challenge ourselves and others to vision - creating a future rooted in the richness of the past and responsive to the Spirit of the present.
  • Emphasize faith formation for all people as a lifelong and life-connected process.
  • Include a family perspective in all endeavors.
  • Model a particular commitment to global and local issues of social justice.
  • Foster the intimate connection between liturgy and catechesis.
  • Collaborate with all Diocesan offices, parishes and other faith communities and local agencies.

Resources Available through the Religious Education Office:

  • Learned Outcomes:
    Parents , do you know what your child should be learning at each grade level in your parish religious education program? To find the topics and prayers that are age appropriate for your child, grades 1 through 8. Click here for more information - pdf: 116k.
  • Special Education:
    The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Curriculum is a wonderful catechetical resource for persons with a variety of special needs. There are copies of this manual in each Religious Education Resource Center. You also may purchase a copy for your parish by contacting your regional director of religious education, or call Sister Germaine Hilston, CSJ (343-5557). This manual contains over 200 lesson plans separated into four tracks.

    Each track has three levels of learning ability. The manual also contains over 40 prayer services for a variety of occasions. The Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation can be found in one of these tracks. These lessons provide adequate material for preparing young children and adults for these sacraments.
  • The Catechist in the Third Millennium - Call, Mission and Formation:
    As we enter the new millennium, the faith formation of our children, adolescents, and adults is a prime concern of the bishops of New York State. It is also a major concern of the diocesan offices of religious education across the state. To see the important steps that will be taken to guarantee that our volunteer catechists will be formed and educated in a manner that will encourage the best cathechesis in the new century.
  • Catechist Certification - Diocese of Syracuse, NY :
    Over 50 opportunities were available for certification this fall. If you are interested , please alert your pastor or DRE, or your regional religious education office or call the diocesan religious education office at 315-470-1431. Click here for more information - pdf: 24.9k.
  • Click here to browse the resource center online catalog! 

Diocesan Office:

240 E. Onondaga St.
Syracuse, NY 13201-0511
Phone: (315) 470-1431
Fax: (315) 478-4619


Sr. Katie Eiffe, Diocesan Director
keiffe@syrdio.org

Northern Region:

74 W. 6th St.
Oswego, NY 13126
Phone: (315) 596-4014
Fax: (315) 343-5557

Constance Armstrong, Regional North Director
carmstrong11@verizon.net

Deanne Hall, Resource Center
ffonorth@verizon.net

Southern Region:

Religious Ed.Office
705 West Main St.
Endcott, NY 13760
Phone: (607) 786-9649
Fax: (607) 786-9650

Andrea Schaffer, Southern Region Director
sroffdir@stny.rr.com

TBA, Religious Education Office
 sroffrsc@stny.rr.com

Eastern Region:

Religious Education Office
1 Sherman St.
New Hartford, NY 13413
(315) 797-4030

Cathy Cornue, East Regional Director
ccornue@syrdio.org

Cheryl Smith, Eastern Region Resource Center Admin.
csmith@syrdio.org

Western Region:

Bishop Harrison Diocesan Center
1342 Lancaster Ave.
Syracuse, NY 13210
Phone: (315) 472-6752
Fax: (315) 472-8409

Theresa May, West Regional Director
tmay@syrdio.org

Marge Babcock, Resource Center Administrator
resctr@syracusediocese.org

Beth Schafer, Resource Center Assistant

 

awhite@syrdio.org