I haven’t taken any previous Archdiocesan catechist formation, how do I get started?

The first step is to discuss this with your parish catechetical leader or Catholic School principal as he or she may have specific instructions for you. Once you have that conversation, you can get started here: www.formedcatholiconline.com. You will begin in Level I.

When I visit www.formedcatholiconline.com there are three options: Catechist Certification, Teacher Certification and Online Electives. Which one should I choose?

Please choose Catechist Certification if you will be receiving certification as a parish catechist. If you will be receiving certification under a Catholic School, please choose Teacher Certification. Online electives are electives for any parish catechist in Level III. Online electives are also open to anyone else wanting to learn more about the Catholic faith.

Is there a difference between Catechist Certification and Teacher Certification?

Catechist Certification and Teacher Certification will yield the same type of archdiocesan catechist certificate. The main difference is that parish catechists need to complete the Level I Methodology sessions onsite, while Catholic school participants complete a ministerial course online. 

If I took one Fostering Faith course or one Pillar, which level will I start with?

You will start with Level I, Answering the Call.

If I took two to four Fostering Faith courses or two to three pillars, which level will I start with?

You will start with Level II, Witnessing the Call.

I took the five Fostering Faith courses, or the four pillars, and am a certified catechist. Which level will I start with?

You will start in Level III, Inspiring the Call.

We’re ready to get started with online formation. How do I create accounts for my parish catechists and/or school teachers?

Catechetical Leaders, please fill out the downloadable Excel form. The Certification Team will use this information to create accounts for your catechists. Principals, please include new faculty in the yearly registration form. The Certification Team will use this information to create accounts for your teachers.

Once the Office of Lifelong Formation receives your form, please allow up to 10 business days for processing the information. Emails with login information will be sent to registered catechists and teachers from admin@formedcatholiconline.com.

We’re ready to get started with online formation. How do I create accounts for my parish catechists and/or school teachers?

Catechetical Leaders, please fill out the downloadable Excel form. The Certification Team will use this information to create accounts for your catechists.

Once the Office of Lifelong Formation receives your form, please allow up to 10 business days for processing the information. Emails with login information will be sent to registered catechists from admin@formedcatholiconline.com.

We would like the parish to get billed for the online courses, how do we go about doing this?

Once you send in your Excel form, it’s best to let our office know at that time that you would like to be invoiced. 

By requesting to be billed, the amount will be added to the archdiocesan monthly bill for all the courses in each level, unless otherwise noted. 

For example, if you have a parish catechist in Level I, you will be charged for the Spiritual Formation course, the Theological Course and the Ministerial Formation I Course. If you have a parish catechist in Level II, you will be charged for the Spiritual and Theological Formation Courses. If you have a parish catechist in Level III, let us know how many online electives he/she will take and which online electives each catechist has selected from Formed Catholic Online.  

Your parish will receive a quote from our office with the total cost for the parish catechists. Please sign the document, scan it and send it to certification@archchicago.org.

The quote amount will be in the parish’s archdiocesan monthly bill. Submit payment by check and include the quote number. Please clearly indicate the amount that is being paid for Catechist Certification in the memo line on the check to ensure that payment is appropriately distributed.

Participants will receive access to courses within five to seven business days, upon receipt of payment by the Archdiocese of Chicago.

As a catechetical leader, can I submit one scholarship form for all my catechists?

No, the Office of Lifelong Formation needs one scholarship form per catechist.

How do I document that my parish catechists attended the retreat on the formation website?

Once the Certification Team receives the attendance sheet from the parish or school, credit will be given by the Office of Lifelong Formation to attendees. 

Please send retreat attendance by email to certification@archchicago.org or regular mail at Cardinal Meyer Center 3525 South Lake Park Ave. 60653.

How can the certification retreat be scheduled? Where is it hosted? Who facilitates it? What is the cost?

Certification retreats can be scheduled using the certification retreat form. When filling out the form, please indicate the location and address if your parish is hosting the retreat outside of your premises. The form provides the option of suggesting a retreat facilitator or requesting one. The Office of Lifelong Formation will be happy to assist you in finding an experienced and approved certification retreat facilitator. For both options, we provide the outline and suggested material for the retreat. The suggested retreat facilitator needs to contact us so we can provide the material.  

The cost per person is $25 with a minimum number of 25 participants that includes the facilitator’s stipend and the administrative fee. It is highly recommended to partner with other sites in your area if your group is less than 25 people. If the parish suggests their own retreat facilitator, the cost per participant is $6 (administrative fee) for parish catechists. The parish is responsible for covering the facilitator’s stipend.

We’re ready to get started with online formation. How do I create accounts for my school teachers?

Principals, please include new faculty in the yearly registration form. The Certification Team will use this information to create accounts for your school teachers. Once the Office of Lifelong Formation receives your form, please allow up to 10 business days for processing the information. Emails with login information will be sent to registered teachers from admin@formedcatholiconline.com.

We would like the school to get billed for the courses, how do we go about doing this?

Fill out the Formation Registration Form and email it to certification@archchicago.org.

Your school will receive a quote with the total cost for school participants. Please sign the document, scan it and send it in an email to certification@archchicago.org.

The quote amount will be in the school’s archdiocesan monthly bill. Submit payment by check and include the quote number. Please clearly indicate the amount that is being paid for Catechist Certification in the memo line on the check to ensure that payment is appropriately distributed.

Participants will receive access to courses within five to seven business days, upon receipt of payment by the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Please note, the administrator of the certification process is responsible for placing teachers in their appropriate certification level. It is required that the administrator confirms with each teacher their appropriate certification level assignment. Modifications will not be allowed after the Formation Registration Form is submitted by a school administrator and the quote is accepted. The form can be used to add new teachers and remove teachers who are no longer employed at your school. The information provided in the form will be used to create the quote with the total cost added to the archdiocesan monthly bill.

As a Catholic School participant, can I complete two elective packages each year for Level III?

You may only complete one elective package per year. The ministry elective sessions have to be completed outside of www.formedcatholiconline.com.

How do I document that my school participants attended the retreat on the formation website?

Once the Certification Team receives the attendance sheet from the parish or school, credit will be given by the Office of Lifelong Formation to attendees. 

Please send retreat attendance by email to certification@archchicago.org or regular mail at Cardinal Meyer Center 3525 South Lake Park Ave. 60653.

How can the certification retreat be scheduled? Where is it hosted? Who facilitates it? What is the cost?

Certification retreats can be scheduled using the certification retreat form. When filling out the form, please indicate the location and address if your parish is hosting the retreat outside of your premises. The form provides the option of suggesting a retreat facilitator or requesting one. The Office of Lifelong Formation will be happy to assist you in finding an experienced and approved certification retreat facilitator. For both options, we provide the outline and suggested material for the retreat. The suggested retreat facilitator needs to contact us so we can provide the material.  

The cost per person is $25.00 with a minimum number of 25 participants that includes the facilitator's stipend and the administrative fee. It is highly recommended to partner with other sites in your area if your group is less than 25 people. If the parish suggests their own retreat facilitator, the cost per participant is $10.00. The school is responsible for covering the facilitator’s stipend.

What is a Level III Elective Package?

A Level III elective package (found under “Teacher Certification” at formedcatholiconline.com) is a package made up of seven online electives, which count as seven sessions towards Level III. These elective packages should only be taken by Catholic School participants. Parish catechists may take electives for Level III here. 

Will onsite courses be available for parish catechists?

Yes, onsite courses will be available as parishes request to host them.

What consists of Level I – Answering the Call?

Level I - Answering the Call consists of the following requirements:

For parish catechists:

• Spiritual Formation I Course (three sessions)

• Theological Formation I Course (12 sessions)

• Ministerial Formation I Course (seven sessions)

• Methodology I Course (three sessions)

• Retreat

For Catholic school teachers:

• Spiritual Formation I Course (three sessions)

• Theological Formation I Course (12 sessions)

• Ministry Formation I Course (10 sessions, includes Methodology portion)

• Retreat

Is there a specific time frame under which I need to complete Level I?

For parish catechists, we recommend completing Level I within a year.

For Catholic school teachers, Level I has to be completed within the school year by the first week of May.

What consists of Level II – Witnessing the Call?

Level II – Witnessing the Call consists of the following requirements (they are the same for parish catechists and Catholic School teachers):

• Spiritual Formation II Course (five sessions)

• Theological Formation II Course (12 sessions)

• Ministry Formation II Course (five sessions)

• Ministry Elective Sessions (eight sessions)

• Retreat

Is there a specific time frame under which I need to complete Level II?

For parish catechists, we recommend completing Level II within two years, but not within less than a year.

For Catholic School teachers, Level II has to be completed within two school years by the first week of May. 

The requirements for both parish catechists and Catholic School teachers are divided by:

Level II – Year 1

• Spiritual Formation II Course

• Theological Formation II Course

Level II – Year 2

• Ministry Formation II Course

• Ministry Elective Sessions

• The retreat may be completed in either the first or second year of Level II

What consists of Level III – Inspiring the Call?

Level III – Inspiring the Call consists of the following requirements:

• 45 total elective sessions

• Retreat

Is there a specific time frame under which I need to complete Level III?

Level III is a three-year renewal cycle, and both parish catechists and Catholic School teachers have to complete 15 elective sessions each year.

The requirements for Level III parish catechists are divided yearly by:

Level III – Year 1

• 15 sessions (may be completed through onsite electives and/or online electives)

Level III – Year 2

• 15 sessions (may be completed through onsite electives and/or online electives)

Level III – Year 3

• 15 sessions (may be completed through onsite electives and/or online electives)

• Retreat may be completed in any of the three years

The requirements for Level III Catholic School teachers are divided yearly by:

Level III – Year 1

• 15 sessions

• Online Elective Package – seven sessions

• Ministry Elective Sessions – eight sessions

Level III – Year 2

• 15 sessions

• Online Elective Package – seven sessions

• Ministry Elective Sessions – eight sessions

Level III – Year 3

• 15 sessions

• Online Elective Package – seven sessions

• Ministry Elective Sessions – eight sessions

• Retreat may be completed in any of the three years

Are scholarships available?

Yes, scholarships are available for parish catechists in Level I and Level II – Year 1 and applications can be found here in English and Spanish.

Is there certain criteria to apply for scholarships?

Currently, there is no specific criteria for parish catechists. Scholarship funds are limited and intended to support parishes in need. These scholarship funds are distributed based on availability. For more information, please contact  certification@archchicago.org.

As a Level II – Year 2 or Level III catechist, can I count the certification retreat approved by the Office of Lifelong Formation as part of my elective sessions?

No, the certification retreat is an additional requirement for the level and will not count as part of your elective sessions.

What are ministry elective sessions? Can you provide some examples?

Ministry Elective Sessions are sessions to be completed in addition to those found on www.formedcatholiconline.com. These sessions are considered electives because each catechist is able to choose from a variety of options depending on one’s own interests.

Examples include:

• Webinars

• In-services

• Bible studies

• Parish retreats/missions

• Day of reflections at parishes or schools

• Professional development days

• Ministerial trainings

• Any faith-based formation experience

What exactly is a session?

A session is equivalent to one full hour of content (breaks and lunch times do not count as content time).

Do you recommend any webinars for my Ministry Elective Sessions?

The Archdiocese of Chicago has a great relationship with a variety of publishers and a couple of them have upcoming webinars and pre-recorded webinars on their webpage:

• Sadlier Religion

• OSV Recordings

• OSV Webcasts

• Ave Maria Press

Other organizations:

• Catholic Apostolate Center

• National Catholic Educational Association

• USCCB Leadership Institute

What should I do if I’m uncertain about something counting as credit for my ministry elective sessions?

Ask your catechetical leader or principal if he or she approves it for you. The Office of Lifelong Formation entrusts catechetical leaders and principals with their approval of Ministry Elective Sessions.

You can also email certification@archchicago.org with the appropriate information and someone from the Certification Team will get back to you.

Once I upload my ministry elective form, will I receive an email stating that it has been received?

You will not receive an email stating that it has been received. The Certification Team will review the approval request and will either approve or decline it depending on the information provided on the form. You can go back to your certifications page and check the status of the approval request. 

How do I keep record of my ministry elective sessions?

Download the Level II and Level III elective form (Parish Catechist Form and School Teacher Form) from your online account. It is available once you log into your dashboard, under the notifications area.

Save the document onto your computer with no special characters. The system does not allow files named with special characters to be uploaded.

Fill out the document, and once you’ve completed the necessary ministry elective sessions for your level, upload it onto your account following the instructions listed out on the form.

I am having problems uploading the form, what can I do?

Email certification@archchicago.org and someone from the Certification Team will assist you.

As a parish catechist in Level III, can I complete one of the elective packages found under the Teacher Certification track?

No, however, the individual elective sessions found under these elective packages are can be found here.  

I noticed on my dashboard that I have a course called “Introduction to the Life of Prayer”, which I do not recall purchasing or asking for access. Why do I have it and do I have to complete it?

The session “Introduction to the Life of Prayer” was given to the Archdiocese of Chicago as a free preview of the online program during the 2015 Catechetical Gathering. You do not have to complete it.

I am not seeking catechist certification but I am enthusiastic to learn more about the Catholic faith. What can I do?

The formation elements included in the certification process are suitable for any person seeking more knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith. You can find all the sessions in the online store, here, or you can contact us at certification@archchicago.org for more information.

I do not recall if I have an account with www.formedcatholiconline.com, what do I do?

Email certification@archchicago.org and someone from the Certification Team will help you.

I’m a Catholic School participant and I purchased one of the courses under the catechist certification track, but realized soon after that I actually needed to purchase the same course under the teacher certification track, what should I do?

Email certification@archchicago.org once you have fully completed the course and someone from the Certification Team will help you. You will not lose any progress you have completed, we will just transfer the credit to the correct certification under the teacher track.

My account has been locked, what do I do?

The Certification Team checks locked users twice during office hours. Your account will be reactivated and you will receive a login email with your new password from admin@formedcatholiconline.com.

If you do not receive an email within a day, please email certification@archchicago.org.

Can someone send me my username and password to log onto www.formedcatholiconline.com?

Please email certification@archchicago.org with your request.

I tried logging in with the provided username and password, but I keep getting a message saying, “Your username is invalid in the site”. What do I do?

Please email certification@archchicago.org and someone from the Certification Team will help you. Our office will contact the online provider to resolve the issue.

My parish/school has already paid for my coursework, however when I go to www.formedcatholiconline.com, I am asked to enter my credit card information in order to purchase the courses. What do I do?

If your parish/school has already paid your coursework, the courses will already be loaded into your account. Login to your account, go to the “Learn” tab and begin your courses.

Access to your coursework will be confirmed once you receive an email from admin@formedcatholiconline.com providing you with your login credentials.

I completed the entire session, but it is still showing incomplete. What do I do?

Usually when this happens, either the pre- or post-assessment did not submit properly. Go into the session, click on the “Menu” button, click on pre-assessment, complete it and submit your answers. You can then go back and check if the session is now showing 100 percent. If not, please go back into the session and submit your answers to the post-assessment.

Afterwards, if it’s still showing incomplete, please email certification@archchicago.org and someone from the Certification Team will assist you. Your password may have to be reset in order for someone from the team to go into your account and fix the issue.

As I am finishing up a session within a course, I keep pressing the return button, but nothing happens. What do I do?

If this happens, click on the “Return to Course” button right below the Archdiocese of Chicago logo on the top left corner, it will take you to the list of the sessions in the course.

As I am checking my Level I certification, I notice I have three different certifications: Catechist Certification, Teacher Certification, and Pilot Certification. Do I need to complete all of them, or does only one apply to me?

If you are a parish catechist, you only need to complete the requirements under the certification titled, “Catechist Certification - Level I - Answering the Call”.

If you are a Catholic School participant, you only need to complete the requirements under the certification titled, “Teacher Certification - Level I - Answering the Call”.

If you were part of the pilot program from February  to July 2016, you only need to show completion under the certification titled, “Level I - Answering the Call - Pilot Certification”.

As I am checking my Level II certification, I notice I have two different certifications, one titled Catechist Certification and the other titled Teacher Certification. Do I need to complete both of them, or does only one apply to me?

If you are a parish catechist, you only need to complete the requirements under the certification titled, “Catechist Certification - Level II - Witnessing the Call”.

If you are a Catholic School participant, you only need to complete the requirements under the certification titled, “Teacher Certification - Level II - Witnessing the Call”.

I had previously logged into my account and was able to see my courses. Now when I log in, I do not see any of my courses. What should I do?

Recommendation from the online provider: Clear the computer’s cookies and cache by clicking on the three horizontal lines in the upper right corner (under the X) of the internet page and go into History. Once you’re there click, the  “clear browsing data” button, make sure cookies and cached images and files are checked, then click “clear browsing data” at the bottom of the box. Please note, these steps are for Google Chrome and may be a different process for other browsers.

Need more help? Please contact certification@archchicago.org and someone from the Certification Team will assist you. Your password may have to be reset in order for someone from the team to go into your account and fix the issue.

When I go to the Learn page, there is no “Begin” or “Continue” button next to any of the courses. What should I do?

Recommendation from the online provider: Clear the computer’s cookies and cache by clicking on the three horizontal lines in the upper right corner (under the X) of the internet page and go into History. Once you’re there click, the “clear browsing data” button, make sure cookies and cached images and files are checked, then click “clear browsing data” at the bottom of the box. Please note, these steps are for Google Chrome and may be a different process for other browsers.

Need more help? Please contact certification@archchicago.org and someone from the Certification Team will assist you. Your password may have to be reset in order for someone from the team to go into your account and fix the issue.

I accidentally archived a course, how can I unarchive it?

Go to your “Learn” page, and under the list of your courses, click on the button that says, “View Archived Courses”. From there, you will see the course that you archived, and next to it, click on the “Unarchive Course” button. It will unarchive the course and make it available to you on your Learn page.

How do I archive a course?

Go to your “Learn” page and click on the course that you would like to archive. Once you’re inside the course, you will see an “Archive Course” button below the name of the session, or below the list of sessions. Click on it. A pop-up warning will appear asking if you are sure you want to archive the course. Click “OK” and the system will archive it.

Should I archive a course?

We recommend archiving a course once you’re completely done with a level. 

How can I change my password?

Once you log in to your account, on the top right corner, click on your name and then click on “Settings”. Under the password heading, enter a new password (must be between seven and 20 characters, have at least two letters and one number, and contain at least one special symbol). Enter the same password next to “Confirm Password”, choose your security question and answer, and click on “Save” to activate your new password.

How can I change my name and/or my username (email address)?

Once you log in to your account, on the top right corner, click on your name and then click on “Settings”. Under the “My Account” heading, make the appropriate changes and click on “Save” to save all of your changes.

How can I add a user picture to my account?

Once you log into your account, on the top right corner, click on your name and then click on “My Profile”. From there, click on the link that says, “Upload User Picture”. A pop-up box will appear, click on “Select files” and find the picture you want, click on “Open” and then “Upload files”. Close the pop-up box and your user picture will be added.

How do I know if my device is compatible with the online program?

Login to your account using your device. On the top right corner, click on your name and then click on “System Check”. The system will check if your device is compatible with the program.