Contact Information
1404 East 9th Street
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 696-6525
(800) 869-6525
The mission of catechetical formation is to assist parishes in the teaching of the Gospel message by passing on our faith and traditions.
The Office of Catechetical Formation (OCF) is the means by which the Bishop of Cleveland, as pastor of the Local Church and teacher of the faith, directs and moderates all the catechetical activities of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland.
In the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, the parish school of religion facilitates an encounter with Jesus Christ through the following:
To find out more about your parish school of religion, contact your parish office view our parish locator.
For information about faith formation in the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, please contact the catechetical staff serving your area.
Central Urban and Eastern Areas
Gregory Coogan
(216) 696-6525 ext. 3220
Southern Area
Denise Smithberger
(216) 696-6525 ext. 8910
Western Area & Hispanic Parishes
Hortensia Rodriguez
(216) 696-6525 ext. 1028
Central Urban Areas
Laura McBride
216-696-6525 ext. 2880
The OCF provides processes for religion certification for parish catechists and high school teachers. The religion certification processes provide catechists, teachers and school administrators with a solid foundation in Church teaching, understanding of catechetical methodology and opportunities for deepening their own personal spirituality.
The Culture Project (TCP) missionaries partner with Catholic schools and parish youth ministry teams to speak about human dignity and sexual integrity. TCP offers students an encounter with young people who are a living witness and demonstrating a life of counter-cultural virtue.
The Office for Lay Ecclesial Ministry offers a certification program for lay ministerial leadership in parish, diocesan and other Catholic ministry settings, as well as continuing education opportunities.
The Office of Missionary Discipleship seeks to form and empower missionary disciples who, inspired by the encounter of Christ, go out to the peripheries joyfully evangelizing in word and deed, accompanying others in faith, and rejoicing and bearing fruit in the Holy Spirit.
The Office of Catechetical Formation and Education provides programs, policies, and processes for the training and certification of Parish Catechists. This formation focuses upon the responsibilities connected to catechetical ministry in the parish setting.
The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland is dedicated to serving the mission of the Church. We welcome all questions via phone or email inquiry.
