The call by Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, for changes to how faith formation services and training are provided to those engaged in parish ministries is coming to fruition, says Chuck Luttrell, the archbishop's delegate for faith formation.
 

"The archbishop's vision of restructuring is based on his administrative gifts which he honed as a university president (of St. Thomas University in Houston, Tex.) and as secretary to the Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education," Luttrell told The B.C. Catholic.
 

"His attention to detail and his collaborative style will encourage a greater sense of ownership for those of us in faith formation in the curia and for parish ministers to whom we offer education and support."
 

The changes, Luttrell said, involve the offices under the umbrella of faith formation. These include Catechetics (formerly known as Religious Education) under Pat Gillespie, Evangelization headed by Kyle Neilson, Service and Justice under Evelyn Vollet, Catholic Family Services directed by Pavel Reid, and Youth and Young Adult Ministry directed by Clayton Imoo.
 

"The key to understanding our role is that we are there to assist the parishes in everything they do," Luttrell explained.
 

"Parishes are on the front lines, and our job is to provide the help that is needed. While this has always been done through catechetics, we are broadening our efforts to include input from Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Evangelization, Service and Justice, CFS, etc."
 

The faith formation offices, Luttrell said, will offer seasonal institutes four times a year (e.g. the Winter Institute which took place Jan. 21), to feature programs and speakers to support and inspire those in pastoral ministries. Attention will be give as well to those working in other areas such as hospitality and youth services.
 

Catholic Family Services, which primarily offered counselling services, is taking on a new direction, said Luttrell.
 

"Under recently-appointed director Pavel Reid, a three-pronged component will include counselling, marriage and family, and respect life, so CFS can multiply its services to the family at all stages, from the beginning of life to the end."
 

Reid will oversee programs to support marriage formation, marriage preparation, and marriage enrichment.
 

Directors of the faith-formation offices will also collaborate on archdiocese-wide conferences, said Luttrell.
 

"We will no longer operate as islands unto ourselves, but will meet regularly with each other and with me to enhance our mission. For example, the Archdiocesan Conference One planned for Feb. 17 and 18 at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre has been organized by the directors working together under conference chairman Pat Gillespie.
 

"People are really looking forward to the event, and I expect around 1,000 to attend," said Luttrell.
 

"We are bringing together young and old, married and single, from parishes throughout the archdiocese. Our hope and dream is that everyone will gain a deeper understanding of our new mandate. We want to make it clear that we are serving everyone."
 

Archbishop Miller's "clear vision," said Luttrell, "has already addressed issues which have been problems for us in the past. We are encouraged to work together to provide a greater and more positive impact. The truth is that we can do so much more together than we can alone."
 

One of the archbishop's extraordinary gifts, said Luttrell, "is that he wants to hear from everyone. He is willing to hear from everyone. He wants everybody to have their say and, in that way, all of us can share in a greater sense of ownership of the ideas and projects taken on by the faith-formation offices."
 

Online conference registration is available at www.rcav.org/conference.