Please stay tuned for registration for Year I in the fall of 2021. 

1) Click HERE to complete and submit your online registration form. 
Note: Be prepared to set aside some time to answer the questions which go into more detail regarding ministry experience, education, etc.
2) Ask your pastor to submit his online recommendation letter HERE
3) Send in payment (see details below)

Payments and recommendations must be submitted by the first class or brought to the first class.

How long is the program?
The Foundational Certificate is a two year program.  Each year includes four courses , two Saturday sessions of human, spiritual and pastoral formation, as well as the end-of-year retreat.  

How much does this program cost for the 2020-2021 academic year?
The total cost for ten classes and one retreat is $500. Students are invoiced the same amount the second year. 

Can I just attend and pay for one class?
If you are working towards a Certificate, you'll want to follow the sequence of classes over the course of Year I and Year II. The classes are designed to build on each other, so taking them out of order would not be as fruitful. For those who are simply looking to enrich their life of faith by taking one or two courses are invited to register as an "audit" student, in which case there is no requirement to complete the assignments, nor are they required to attend all classes. Please note that only credit students are eligible for scholarships.

So who is the primary audience for this program? 
The Foundational Certificate is primarily designed for lay ecclesial ministers (paid or volunteer) who don't have formal theological background (BA or MA level).

How do I pay?
We accept checks or money orders, made out to the Archdiocese of Portland, and mailed to the Archdiocese of Portland (ATTN: Rolando Moreno) 2838 E. Burnside St., Portland, Oregon 97214. At this time, credit card payment is not available.

When is payment due?
Payments are due by the start of class.  We ask that payments are sent in by September 12, 2020 or brought to the first class. Please contact the program coordinator regarding payment plans.

What if the parish is paying?
Parish payments are welcome, but please note that it is the responsibility of the student to get a copy of their invoice to their parish office.  We will not invoice parishes separately. 

What about books and cost?
Information about books can be found HERE.
It is the responsibility of the student to purchase text books. All classes will require your Catechism, Bible, and Vatican II Documents.  Aside from those three reference books, each class will try to keep the cost of books under $40.

What time does class start?
We begin with daily Mass at the parish at 8 am. The sessions start at 9am, ending at 4pm. 

What about class materials?
Handouts will be printed out ahead of time at the Pastoral Center and distributed at the class. 

Is lunch included?
With the exception of the retreat, lunch is not be included, so please remember to bring a lunch with you. There are also nearby restaurants. 

What if I can't attend a class?
We understand that plans can be unexpectedly disrupted, which results in missing a class. In this case, it will be the responsibility of the student to contact the instructor and make arrangements to make up material.  Students should not be absent for more than three classes a year, and cannot miss an entire course (i.e. both classes of Old Testament)

Refunds?
If you cancel your registration before the first class,  you have the option for a full refund.
 
Scholarships?
Yes, we do have limited funds for partial scholarships due to financial need. Please contact our office if you would like to inquire about scholarships and payment plans.