History of PATHWAYS

In 1998, Bishop Walter F. Sullivan supported the initiative of the Office of Christian Formation and the Diocesan Christian Formation Commission to develop a catechist formation program. Dr. Patricia E. Clement, D.Min., and Emily F. Filippi, M.R.E., were the principle authors.

Bishop Sullivan provided a generous $50,000 gift of video resources for use by parishes with the PATHWAYS process. Beginning in May 1998 all parish catechists were encouraged to use this process of formation. Recognition of catechists who completed the process began in May 1999.

Revisions

After six years of using the PATHWAYS for Catechist Formation process, revisions were necessary to reflect new needs and current developments in religious education. With consultation with Dr. Patricia E. Clement, D. Min., the Office of Christian Formation, the diocesan Christian Formation Commission, parish catechetical leaders, parish catechists, diocesan staff, three writing teams, and Bernadette Harris, secretary, Emily Filippi, M.R.E. has directed the revisions of the PATHWAYS process. Technology assistance and design were provided through our diocesan Office of Information Technology, Joan Pardue and Lee Jones. Web page design was provided by Susan Martin and Stephanie Saccone of webbones, LLC.