Partnership with STEP

History & Mission

Partnership with STEP

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Our mission is to bring high-quality adult faith formation resources from the University of Notre Dame to pastoral ministers and adult Catholics across the country.

Diocesan partnership launches a relationship between your diocese and STEP that offers additional ways of using the vast theological resources of Notre Dame’s faculty to fit specific needs. STEP’s adult faith formation resources are tailored to the needs of individual dioceses in order to maximize the catechetical benefit to each diocese. The benefits of diocesan affiliation include discounts, customized schedules and the opportunity of local facilitation.

Below are several ways in which a special partnership with STEP can help you accomplish the educational mission for your diocese:

1: Discounts on STEP’s regular courses
Individuals from your diocese participate in our regularly scheduled courses and receive a 20% discount per course. A detailed list of courses is available through our online Catalog. We will work with you to advertise the courses and promote student participation through direct mailing, internet advertising and other avenues.

2: Customized schedule with STEP facilitation
We run an existing course of your choosing specifically for your group of participants according to your schedule.

3: Customized schedule with local facilitation
The same as above except the diocese provides a local facilitator (who holds at least an MA in theology and undergoes training offered by STEP) for greater local involvement and tailoring of the course objectives.

4: E-Learning Workshop
STEP will provide local e-learning workshops for various groups within your diocese. These workshops can be conducted almost anywhere (e.g. standard classroom or conference room). The workshops, though, are most effective when conducted in a computer lab.

5. STEP Student Assessment Program (SSAP)
The SSAP is for students of diocesan initial formation programs (lay or diaconate) who partner with STEP to provide the theological component of the formation program. Its aim is to provide diocesan formation directors a strong assessment of the theological competency of their candidates for ministry. The service provides an assessment in theological competency for the entire diocesan cohort.

For more information or to express interest in diocesan affiliation, please contact:
Mr. Thomas C. Cummings,
Director of STEP
Telephone: 574-631-8207
Toll-free: 866-425-STEP