Providing Adult Faith Formation services to the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta

Situated at the Diocesan Assembly Centre in Marion Street Blacktown, the staff of the Institute for Mission (IFM) work alongside other Adult Education Ministries to provide adult faith formation services to the people of the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta.

We are Sr Maria Bongiorno IBVM (our Director), Maryann Helbich (our Administrative Resource Officer and keeper of the library), Susan Chamberlain , who keeps our accounts in order, Daniel Ang (our Coordinator of Parish Services) and Jennifer McPhee (Executive Assistant to the Director). We work together to co-ordinate and present courses and program which are both educational and formative.

Specialist courses are offered on a regular basis for people wishing to prepare for liturgical ministries in the Parishes: Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, Ministers of the Word; those who are involved in Sacramental programs, all areas of pastoral ministry including Ministry of Care, Spirituality and faith formation.

The IFM also runs courses for those who just want to grow in their faith and understanding of what it is to be a Catholic. The IFM has developed a special one-year course – Certificate in Pastoral Formation – for those active in various Parish Ministries, which serves as a mini-sabbatical. 

We at the IFM are able to organise courses in two or more Parishes or across Deaneries, taking the work of the IFM out to you in the wider Diocese. We house a special library which is for the use of all in the Diocese, and is open Monday to Friday during office hours. This site contains regular updates of forthcoming courses in which you are invited to participate.

If you want more information – or have ideas for other courses we might be able to develop – please contact the IFM by phoning 02 9831 4911 or by email  mh@instituteformission.com.au