PALM BEACH GARDENS | The School of Christian Formation began in the 1990s as an outreach to local Hispanics in the Diocese of Palm Beach as a way to deepen their faith. The classes, offered in Spanish and English, are now recommended by the diocese for all the faithful, especially those serving in liturgical, educational and spiritual ministries. And this is the perfect time to register before the fall courses begin.
Hundreds of students are enrolled in a three-year cycle of classes held throughout the diocese focusing on topics such as spirituality, pastoral ministry, Old and New Testament, Christology, Vatican II, sacraments, social justice and morality. Students who complete all the requirements, including the annual retreat April 25, 2026, will receive a certificate from Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito at the School of Christian Formation graduation May 13, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola.
The English language locations are, in the Northern Deanery, St. Helen in Vero Beach and Holy Family in Port St. Lucie; in the Cathedral Deanery, at St. Patrick in Palm Beach Gardens; the Central Deanery, at St. Ann in West Palm Beach and Our Lady Queen of the Apostles, Royal Palm Beach; and in the Southern Deanery, at Emmanuel and St. Vincent Ferrer in Delray Beach, and Ascension, St. Joan of Arc and St. Jude, Boca Raton. A Level II course, “Breath of God: Living a Life Led by the Holy Spirit,” is set to start Saturday, Sept. 13, at the cathedral in Palm Beach Gardens.
The Spanish language course locations are, in the Northern Deanery, San Juan Diego Hispanic Pastoral Center in Fort Pierce, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Fellsmere, St. Lucie and Holy Family in Port St. Lucie, Sacred Heart in Okeechobee and St. Helen; in the Cathedral Deanery, St. Joseph in Stuart, St. Peter in Jupiter and St. John Fisher in West Palm Beach; the Central Deanery, St. Luke in Palm Springs, St. Rita in Wellington, St. Philip Benizi in Belle Glade, Sacred Heart in Lake Worth Beach, and St. Ann and St. Juliana, West Palm Beach; and in the Southern Deanery, Our Lady Queen of Peace in Delray Beach, St. Mark in Boynton Beach and St. Jude in Boca Raton. A Spanish Level II course, “St. Paul: Faith vs. Law,” will start Saturday, Sept. 13, at the cathedral.
The diocese seeks to make School of Christian Formation programming accessible to everyone. While the fee for each class is $10, plus the price of the textbook, those who are active in parish ministry may wish to seek financial support from their parish. But no one who is unable to pay will be turned away.
To learn about the School of Christian Formation and its course schedule, visit www.diocesepb.org/ministriesoffices/ministries/hispanic-ministry/school-of-christian-formation/ or contact Armando Garcia, school coordinator, at 561-775-9544 or agarcia@diocesepb.org.
