Father Dave Pivonka, TOR '89 President | Franciscan University website

Since launching FranciscanAtHome.com in 2017, Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Catechetical Institute (CI) has addressed the challenge of providing affordable, online formation and accompaniment in ministry to tens of thousands of catechists while maintaining a personal touch.

The Catechetical Institute has created numerous online ministry tracks and workshops, webinars, local events, small group circles through its “Guild” program, discussion forums, and an expanding library of resources for catechists, schoolteachers, parents, priests, deacons, religious members, and other faithful disciples globally.

A key aspect of the Catechetical Institute’s success is its focus on personal relationships. The institute emphasizes the local development of small groups and adopts a mentoring approach designed exclusively for relational learning within these groups.

The institute has partnered with 134 dioceses worldwide, including 60 percent of U.S. dioceses. Over 47,000 individuals in ministry roles at 6,000 parishes, schools, and apostolates across more than 130 countries receive formation through CI. This number continues to grow by over 500 new users monthly.

The Catechetical Institute is now recognized as the largest ministry formation field apostolate globally. Many participants join the institute’s International Guild for Catechists and Leaders to access resources in multiple languages including English, Spanish, Latvian, Slovak—with Chinese, Indonesian, Tagalog, German, and Portuguese forthcoming.

“With such incredible growth more bishops across the U.S. and around the world are taking notice,” said Dr. Bill Keimig deputy director of the Catechetical Institute who has received numerous letters of endorsement. “Bishops appreciate the quality of the formation resources we provide on topics ranging from evangelizing in the classroom to reaching families effectively to training in pastoral accompaniment for ministry.”

Archbishop Allen Vigneron of Detroit whose archdiocese began using CI content in 2018 wrote “The Franciscan University Catechetical Institute is on the front line of offering resources to respond to the call of making missionary disciples... [The CI] is recognized as a gift to the Church which will extend to people around the Archdiocese of Detroit through online formation group reflection and discussion using local mentors.”

Cardinal José Advincula archbishop of Manila Philippines stated “One of our strategic objectives...is to strengthen the formation of our clergy and lay leaders envisioning that all leaders will be trained as missionary disciples...the Franciscan at Home online platform.”

One reason for CI's popularity is Franciscan University’s commitment to affordability.

“As an outreach...to ensure cost is never a barrier...the Catechetical Institute operates in the spirit of St. Francis...” Keimig said “All we design offer and share is to be good news for the poor aimed at cultivating personal spiritual growth...”

Beyond its online presence CI hosts an annual conference drawing hundreds each summer where attendees experience powerful encounters with Jesus Christ community training excellence in youth young adult ministry Hispanic leadership Catholic school formation. The next St John Bosco Conference will be held July 2025.

Additionally CI publishes The Catechetical Review marking its 105th year serving catechists worldwide.

To learn more visit FranciscanAtHome.com or email [email protected].