How do we move from preparing people for the sacraments to accompanying them in a lifelong journey of discipleship?
Word Conference 2026 is designed to respond to this question. The three keynote presentations establish the theological and pastoral vision, while the six workshops translate that vision into parish practice by exploring how the Church accompanies people through every stage of life.
Together, the conference seeks to strengthen the Word dimension of parish renewal by helping parishes cultivate a more integrated culture of evangelization, catechesis, and lifelong faith formation, so that the Word of God truly awakens faith, forms disciples, and sends them on mission.
Together, the conference seeks to strengthen the Word dimension of parish renewal by helping parishes cultivate a more integrated culture of evangelization, catechesis, and lifelong faith formation, so that the Word of God truly awakens faith, forms disciples, and sends them on mission.
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Archbishop Paul Andre Durocher
Main Speaker | Archbishop of Gatineau His Grace, the Most Reverend Paul-André Durocher, was born in Windsor, Ontario, on May 28, 1954, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1982 after studying music, theology, and education. Throughout his ministry, he served in parish, educational, and diocesan leadership roles before being appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Sault Ste. Marie in 1997, Bishop of Alexandria-Cornwall in 2002, and Archbishop of Gatineau in 2011. A former president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Durocher is widely recognized for his contributions to pastoral ministry, liturgy, theological education, and sacred music. |
Keynotes & Program
AWAKE: The Word that Calls to Faith
From First Proclamation to the Beginning of Discipleship
Explore how the Church can recover the primacy of the Word and foster a parish culture that invites everyone into lifelong discipleship.
RECEIVE: The Catechumenal Way of Formation
Renewing Parish Catechesis for Lifelong Discipleship
Once faith is awakened, it must be nurtured and formed within the life of the Church. Explore how the catechumenal vision can renew parish life by moving beyond isolated sacramental programs toward integrated pathways of discipleship rooted in Scripture, liturgy, the sacraments, community, and service.
GO: The Word That Sends on Mission
Lifelong Formation for Missionary Witness
The journey of discipleship culminates not in completion but in mission. Explore how parishes can become lifelong communities of formation, accompanying people through ongoing conversion, vocational discernment, and missionary service as they continue to grow in faith and participate in the Church's mission of evangelization.
From First Proclamation to the Beginning of Discipleship
Explore how the Church can recover the primacy of the Word and foster a parish culture that invites everyone into lifelong discipleship.
RECEIVE: The Catechumenal Way of Formation
Renewing Parish Catechesis for Lifelong Discipleship
Once faith is awakened, it must be nurtured and formed within the life of the Church. Explore how the catechumenal vision can renew parish life by moving beyond isolated sacramental programs toward integrated pathways of discipleship rooted in Scripture, liturgy, the sacraments, community, and service.
GO: The Word That Sends on Mission
Lifelong Formation for Missionary Witness
The journey of discipleship culminates not in completion but in mission. Explore how parishes can become lifelong communities of formation, accompanying people through ongoing conversion, vocational discernment, and missionary service as they continue to grow in faith and participate in the Church's mission of evangelization.
Breakout Sessions
The keynotes present the conference's central vision: the Word of God awakens faith, the catechumenal way forms disciples, and lifelong faith formation always leads to mission. The breakout sessions invite participants to put this vision into practice by exploring how the Church accompanies people at every stage of life.
The conference follows the Church's understanding that faith formation is a lifelong journey. Every stage and circumstance of life offers unique opportunities to encounter Christ, grow in discipleship, and participate more fully in the life and mission of the Church.
The conference follows the Church's understanding that faith formation is a lifelong journey. Every stage and circumstance of life offers unique opportunities to encounter Christ, grow in discipleship, and participate more fully in the life and mission of the Church.
- Faith Formation in Childhood (0-10) “Laying the Foundations of Lifelong Discipleship”
Childhood is a privileged time for awakening faith through the witness of family, the parish community, prayer, Scripture, liturgy, and sacramental preparation. This workshop explores how the Church accompanies children as they encounter Christ and lay the foundations of the Christian life. Participants will examine practical examples including Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, the Diocese of Calgary's Let the Little Children Come to Me First Reconciliation & First Eucharist program, and Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ in Catholic schools. Participants will leave with practical ideas for strengthening partnerships among home, parish, and school to nurture lifelong discipleship from the earliest years. - Faith Formation in Adolescence & Youth (11-17) “Accompanying Young People in Faith and Identity”
Adolescence is a time of growth, questioning, belonging, and vocational discovery. This workshop explores how the Church accompanies young people through meaningful relationships, the Word of God, prayer, the sacraments, service, and community. Practical examples will include the Diocese of Calgary's Veni Sancte Spiritus Confirmation program and Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ in Catholic schools, illustrating how parishes, families, and schools can work together to foster mature discipleship. Participants will consider practical approaches that help young people encounter Christ, embrace the faith as their own, and become active participants in the Church's mission. - Faith Formation in Young Adulthood (18-40) “Forming Missionary Disciples for Life and Vocation”
Young adulthood is marked by significant decisions regarding vocation, relationships, marriage, family, work, and mission. This workshop considers how parishes can accompany young adults as they integrate faith into every aspect of life while discerning God's call. Participants will explore concrete examples, such as St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy's Faith Formation Pathway and Witness to Love marriage formation, that demonstrate how intentional accompaniment fosters belonging, vocational discernment, and missionary engagement. Participants will explore practical strategies to initiate or strengthen the parish's ministry with young adults. - Faith Formation in Adulthood (40+) “The Heart of Parish Catechesis”
Adult faith formation is the foundation and organizing principle of the Church's catechetical ministry. Adults continue to mature as disciples through Scripture, prayer, the sacraments, family life, work, service, and ongoing conversion. This workshop explores how parishes can cultivate a culture of lifelong faith formation by highlighting examples of adult faith-formation pathways within lay associations and ecclesial movements, such as the Catholic Women's League (CWL), the Knights of Columbus, Couples for Christ, Regnum Christi, and others. Participants will consider practical ways to accompany adults in every vocation and circumstance, equipping them to deepen their relationship with Christ and to witness to and hand on the faith within their families, workplaces, parishes, and communities. - Faith Formation in Special Circumstances “Accompanying Every Person with Hope”
The Church's ministry of faith formation extends to every person and every circumstance of life. This workshop explores how parishes can accompany those whose situations require particular pastoral care, including older adults, the sick and homebound, persons experiencing grief, illness, disability, or significant life transitions. Practical examples will include Pastoral Care of the Sick and Homebound, Grief Share, and Transitions, demonstrating how the parish continues to proclaim the Gospel and accompany people with compassion, dignity, and hope. Participants will identify practical ways to strengthen ministries of accompaniment so that no one journeys alone. - Faith Formation Through the Renewed RCIA “The Catechumenal Pathway for Lifelong Discipleship”
The catechumenate is the Church's normative model for Christian initiation and the inspiration for all catechesis. Intended for RCIA coordinators and team members, this workshop provides an orientation to the Diocese of Calgary's upcoming RCIA Renewal Framework. Participants will become familiar with its theological vision, diocesan expectations, and pastoral direction, while exploring how the catechumenal principles of evangelization, gradual formation, liturgical celebration, community accompaniment, discernment, and mystagogy can renew Christian initiation and inspire lifelong faith formation across the parish.
Who should attend?This conference invites all clergy, catechists, Catholic educators, RCIA teams, parish leaders, ministry teams, and all who serve or are being called to serve in the ministry of the Word.
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Mark your calendarWhen
St. Mary's Cathedral (219 18 Ave SW, Calgary) & St. Mary's High School (111 18 Ave SW, Calgary) |