Lay Formation Institute

Two-year program, One Weekend a month, Friday evening to Saturday afternoon Summers off

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Enroll in the Lay Formation Institute

  • Draw closer to Christ and His Church.
  • Deepen your knowledge of the Faith in a vibrant community of learners.
  • Become a joyful disciple in your parish and the world.

Discover the treasures of Sacred Scripture, the Catechism, Church History, Vatican II, Christian Prayer, the Vocation of the Laity, and so much more!

Next Cycle Begins Fall 2023

Attention School Teachers, DRE’s, CRE’s, Youth Ministers & Catechists:
This Program Qualifies for Advanced Certification.

What are people saying about the Lay Formation Institute?

“As a pastor, I will always do my best to have parishioners enrolled in the Lay Formation Institute. Our RCIA team is filled with LFI graduates, not to mention all our parish ministries and committees. This is one investment that has always paid immediate and lasting dividends!” –Fr. Sam Martin

“The Mass has come alive for me and my parish family is closer to my heart.  So much has ‘fallen into place’ that I now feel comfortable discussing and sharing my faith confidently.” –Catechist, Parish Religious Education

“I truly fell in love with the Catholic Church during the past two years. I learned so much from such amazing disciples of Christ. It was a wonderful new beginning to the rest of my life!” –Elementary School Teacher

Spiritual and Community Formation

The goal of the Lay Formation Institute is to address not only the academic and practical formation of its participants, but their spiritual and community formation as well.  For this reason, the program includes:

  • Morning Mass on all the Saturdays, with LFI students assisting in the liturgies (Christopher Carstens, Director of the Office for Sacred Worship, is present each weekend to assist with liturgical formation).
  • Liturgy of the Hours prayed each morning and evening on the weekends
  • Other devotions
  • Shared meals and social time

How to Apply

Tell your pastor of your interest. Candidates may apply from any parish or religious institution of the Diocese of La Crosse.  Participants typically are sponsored by their parishes in exchange for a commitment to give service in the parish in some way.
The cost for the Lay Formation Institute is $1,450 per person per year, which covers all tuition, books, overnight accommodations and meals.

Questions? Call 608.791.0161 or email: ministries@diolc.org.  

Format

The program consists of classes that meet one weekend per month (Friday evening to Saturday evening), September through May, for two years at the Holy Cross Diocesan Center in La Crosse and St. Anthony’s Retreat Center in Marathon.  A new cycle is begun every two years.  The curriculum covers such areas as:

  • Introduction to the Liturgy of the Hours
  • Sacred Scripture
  • The Profession of Faith
  • Liturgy and Sacraments
  • Life in Christ: Christian Morality
  • Spirituality and Prayer
  • The Church
  • Vocations of the Laity
  • Vatican II
  • Catholic Social Teaching
  • Introduction to Catechesis and Evangelization
  • Ministry in a Multicultural Church
  • Reaching Inactive Catholics
  • Outreach to the Poor and Suffering
  • Introduction to Marriage and Family Ministry
  • Overview of Youth Ministry

Specialized Tracks

At the end of the two-year cycle, a “Leadership in Christ” weekend is devoted to specialized tracks focusing in more depth on areas of practical, pastoral service.  Each participant is invited to select among these tracks, which include such areas as:

  • Catechesis and Evangelization
  • Adult Faith Formation
  • Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
  • Pastoral Care of Marriage and the Family
  • Liturgical Ministry
  • Catholic Social Action
  • Youth Ministry
  • Jail Ministry

Registration for the “Leadership in Christ” weekend is also open to diocesan catechists and directors of religious education, because the presentations can benefit them as well.

Please note that completion of the Lay Formation Institute is a normal prerequisite for diocesan Leader of Prayer training. A significant number of LFI graduates go on to become Leaders of Prayer for their parishes.

LFI Participant Comments:

“The Mass has come alive for me.  My parish family is closer to my heart, and I have a much deeper appreciation of the sacraments….  I can become so impassioned.  So much has ‘fallen into place’ that I now feel comfortable discussing and sharing my faith confidently.” – Catechist, Parish Religious Education

“How abundant our faith, how merciful my God!  It’s like I’ve been in a dark room and someone lit a match.  The match lit a candle—I look forward to the electricity to see the whole room!  Thank you, thank you, to all who are taking the time to teach me.” – RCIA and Adult Education Team Member, Parish Deanery Representative for Justice and Peace

*Each year, the gifts of many to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal in the Diocese of La Crosse help support the Lay Formation Institute, keeping tuition costs modest for both parishes and individuals.

Spiritual and Community Formation

The goal of the Lay Formation Institute is to address not only the academic and practical formation of its participants, but their spiritual and community formation as well.  For this reason, the program includes:

  • Morning Mass on all the Saturdays, with LFI students assisting in the liturgies (Christopher Carstens, Director of the Office for Sacred Worship, is present each weekend to assist with liturgical formation).
  • Liturgy of the Hours prayed each morning and evening on the weekends
  • Other devotions
  • Shared meals and social time

Continuing Education

Periodic continuing education seminars are offered to LFI graduates within the Diocese.  They are also encouraged to continue their personal development with the help of a spiritual director and participation in retreats.

Entrance Requirements

Candidates may apply from any parish or religious institution of the Diocese of La Crosse (with a maximum of three from any one parish).  A candidate must be a practicing Catholic and be recommended by his or her pastor.  Participants typically are sponsored by their parishes in exchange for a commitment to provide service to the parish.  The cost for the Lay Formation Institute is $1450 per person per year, which covers all tuition, books, overnight accommodations and meals*.

How to Apply

Anyone interested in enrolling in the Lay Formation Institute should speak first with their pastor.  They may then call the Office of Ministries at 608-791-0161 or send an email.  Feel free to contact the Office for Ministries with any questions. Please note that space in the Lay Formation Institute is limited and applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.  The next two-year cycle will begin in the fall of 2023.

2023 LFI Brochure – Coming soon
Lay Formation Institute Application – Coming soon

Catholic Life Articles

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