The Office of Evangelization and Discipleship sponsors an online three-year Certificado en Ministerio Pastoral (formerly known as Certificado en Teología Pastoral) provided by the University of Dallas Neuhoff Institute for Ministry and Evangelization, fully in Spanish. The main objective of this initiative is to equip and prepare Spanish-speaking parish leaders and catechists, nominated by their pastors, to support the evangelizing, catechetical and pastoral ministry in the Archdiocese of Atlanta parishes.
The program has rendered many fruits since its inception in the year 2013. To date, four different cohorts totaling 248 parish leaders and catechists have successfully graduated; 58 more will obtain their certificate in May 2025. Pastors will be invited to nominate a student to participate in future cohorts to continue this formation.
The Archdiocese’s efforts have been supported and recognized by Atlanta pastors, religious and parish leaders, and at the national level by the then National Conference for Catechetical Leadership, who awarded the Archdiocese the 2017 Diocesan New Wineskins Award, acknowledging the effectiveness and the evangelizing and catechetical contribution of this initiative.
