Equipped is primarily a ministry training platform, but many workshops are also great for the average parishioner wishing to increase their knowledge of the Faith.
The basis of the Equipped Online Formation platform is Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Catechetical Institute (CI), an online learning management system that delivers training workshops for many vital parish ministries.
For the most part, CI is a ministry training platform. However, there are a number of workshops that would appeal to the average parishioner not engaged in parish ministry.
These include doctrine and philosophy workshops, a Catholic parenting track, and a spiritual mentoring/guidance track.
The cost for a parish to use CI for one year is $300. However, this year the workshops are free for every parish in the diocese through a grant from the Missouri State Council Knights of Columbus.
This covers everyone in your parish.
How to Get Started
Step 1: Create a Free Account
Learners must have an individual account. A learner is anyone who participates in a workshop online (watching videos, doing tasks, submitting work).
Visit our web page Catechetical Institute Signup Instruction Guide for a detailed screenshot tutorial on how to create free accounts covered under the Knights of Columbus grant. It can be tricky to find the right option. If you follow this guide, you won’t have to pay.
Step 2: Get a Mentor…or Not
The platform is built for online remote training with a mentor. However, the platform is also set up to use casually, without a mentor.
To do a workshop alone, select the “Start this track without a mentor” option. This is the default.
If you would like a mentor, your parish must be set up to provide one. However, not all parishes are capable of providing a mentor at this time.
Step 3: Decide Which Workshops to Take
The Four Pillars of the Catechism Track is perfect for parishioners who want continuing education in the Catholic Faith.
It gathers 49 doctrinal topics, previously part of other tracks, into one track organized around the Four Pillars—Creed, Sacraments, Morality, and Prayer.
Also, you should take workshops that interest you. The entire catalog of workshops is open to all participants. Browse and choose something that interests you.
There are more advanced catechetical workshops and philosophy, as well as workshops for parents on how to hand on the Faith to their children and general doctrinal topics.
If you’re interested in doing some catechist training, start with these workshops from the Catechist CT Track:
- The Vocation of the Catechist
- The Trinity
- Jesus: The Christocentricity of Catechesis
- Scripture: The Heart of Catechesis
- Prayer: Introduction to the Spiritual Life of the Catechist
Then try these:
- The Deposit of Faith: An Introduction to the Catechism
- Sacred Scripture: The Big Picture
- Christ: His Person and Works
- Child Catechetical Methodologies & Learning Style
Let the learning begin!