Adult Discipleship and Marriage Formation

His Eminence Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan invites those catechumens (the unbaptized) who participated in their parish Catechumenate (OCIA) process and are ready to celebrate the three sacraments of Christian initiation this coming Easter Vigil to formally celebrate the Archdiocesan Rite of Election on the First Sunday of Lent, February 22, 2026 at 2:30 PM at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.

Register at https://archny.org/riteofelection2026.

What is Alpha?

In a world of isolation, anonymity, and keyboard-warriors, Alpha offers content and guidance for churches, ministries, and individuals to create a space for honest and open conversations about life’s biggest questions. Everyone is welcome and no questions are off limits. 

Alpha is by the Church, for the Church, and through the Church, but it is run worldwide in many settings—homes, cafés, restaurants, prisons, and more. Increasingly, Alpha is being embraced by organizations and people looking to create a safe space for conversations about faith.

Explore Alpha

“Over 50 parishes have been introduced to ChristLife here in the Archdiocese of New York. I’m very encouraged by what I’m hearing. Both life-long Catholics and those on the margins of the Church’s life are falling in love with Jesus Christ. That’s what the new evangelization is all about! I’m happy to endorse this essential work in our parishes.”

Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan

With this webinar, we invite you to learn more about the ChristLife evangelization process and hear testimonies from the priests who have run ChristLife at their parishes. 

Explore ChristLife

Assisting pastors in the formation of lay leaders to serve within the parishes and Ecclesial movements in the Archdiocese of New York. 

Founded in 1973 by Cardinal Terrence Cooke, the Father Félix Varela Pastoral Institute has provided adult catechesis for thousands of Hispanic faithful, including the first Hispanic men to be ordained permanent deacons in our Archdiocese. Our Mission is to promote the preparation of Catholic Hispanics and to help pastors in the formation of lay leaders to serve in our parishes and ecclesial movements.   

Asistiendo a los pastores en la formación de líderes laicos para servir en las parroquias y movimientos eclesiales de la Arquidiócesis de Nueva York.

Fundado en 1973 por el Cardenal Terrence Cooke, el Instituto Pastoral Padre Félix Varela ha proporcionado catequesis para adultos a miles de fieles hispanos, incluidos los primeros hombres hispanos ordenados diáconos permanentes en nuestra Arquidiócesis. Nuestra misión es promover la preparación de los hispanos católicos y ayudar a los pastores en la formación de líderes laicos para servir en nuestras parroquias y movimientos eclesiales. 

Manhattan
Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. Bernard
328 West 14th St. 
New York, NY 10014 

Peekskill
Church of the Assumption
131 Union Ave. 
Peekskill, NY 10566

 Port Chester
The Parish Of St John Bosco
16 Washington St.
Port Chester, NY 10573

Bronx
Immaculate Conception
754 Gun Hill Road
Bronx, NY 10467

FORMED is a wonderful resource for the people of the Archdiocese of New York!

FORMED is a Netflix-like Video On Demand and digital content service that features audio, video, ebooks and feature-length films from some of the world’s most credible Catholic sources, such as the Augustine Institute and Ignatius Press.

FORMED is free with your parish subscription.

The New York Catholic Bible School Program offers the Scriptural foundations of our faith and provides ongoing formation for interested adults in the Archdiocese of New York. The Bible School helps us to deepen our knowledge of and appreciation for Sacred Scripture, enabling us to share the Word of God with those we serve.

No particular educational background is required but the Bible School is designed for the serious student.  The New York Catholic Bible School exists because:

• There is joy and hope in the Bible
• Being grounded in belief brings us to a deeper relationship with God
• Intense study brings us to life-changing personal growth in spirituality and service to others
• The whole Church is enriched by lay people equipped to lead others in exploring the Bible

The course of study leads to a Certificate in Basic Scripture Study after two years and a Certificate in Advanced Scripture Study for those who complete the full, four-year course.

Those who have Level 1 and Level 2 Catechist Certificates can use credits from the NY Bible School towards their certificate renewal (which is done every five years).

El programa de la Escuela Bíblica Católica de Nueva York ofrece las bases bíblicas de nuestra fe y provee formación constante a adultos interesados dentro de la Arquidiócesis de Nueva York. La Escuela Bíblica nos ayuda a profundizar nuestro conocimiento y apreciación de las sagradas escrituras, habilitándonos a compartir la palabra de Dios con los demás. 

Aunque ninguna educación previa es necesaria, la Escuela Bíblica está diseñada para estudiantes serios. La Escuela Bíblica Católica de Nueva York existe por los siguientes motivos:

• Hay gozo y esperanza en la biblia
• Ahondar en nuestras creencias hace nuestra relación con Dios más profunda
• El estudio intenso nos proporciona un crecimiento personal en espiritualidad y el servicio a otros que puede cambiar nuestras vidas.
• La iglesia se fortalece si cuenta con personas laicas equipadas para liderar a otros a explorar la biblia

Después de dos años, este curso le proporcionará un Certificado en Estudios Bíblicos Básicos, y después de cuatro años, un Certificado en Estudios Bíblicos Avanzados para aquellos que terminen todas las clases.

Si usted es un catequista, que ha sido certificado con el Nivel 1 y 2 en la Arquidiócesis de Nueva York, la Escuela Bíblica Católica de Nueva York le proporcionará además los niveles 3 y 4 de la formación catequética. Los catequistas que terminen 2 años de estudios reciben un certificado de catequista de tercer nivel. Los catequistas que terminen los 4 años de estudios reciben un certificado de catequista de cuarto nivel.