---
title: Lay Leader Professional Development
image: https://events.augustine.edu/hubfs/Tissot_The-Communion-of-the-Apostles-md.jpg
---

[![GST\_Logo\_Stacked\_Rev\_4C\_080125\[74\]](https://events.augustine.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/GST_Logo_Stacked_Rev_4C_080125%5B74%5D.png?width=300&height=122&name=GST_Logo_Stacked_Rev_4C_080125%5B74%5D.png "GST_Logo_Stacked_Rev_4C_080125[74]")](https://www.augustineinstitute.org/graduate-school/graduate-school?hsLang=en)

# Strengthening Sacramental Preparation Lay Leaders Professional Development Day

# **Thursday, February 12, 2026**

# Attend In-Person or via the Live Stream

# Augustine Institute Campus 16805 New Halls Ferry Road Florissant, MO 63034

Join Augustine Institute faculty and your fellow lay leaders for a day-long workshop on sacramental preparation. Sponsored by the MA Pastoral Theology program at the Augustine Institute and designed for lay pastoral leaders, this workshop will arm participants with theological knowledge and pastoral application to take back to their mission fields.

## Schedule 

8:45 A.M. | Check-In

9:00 A.M. | Welcome and Opening Prayer

9:15 A.M. | Session I: *Sacramental Prep in a Catechumenal Mode*  with  Dr. Sean Innerst

10:00 A.M | Break

10:15 A.M | Session II: *Integrating the Family in Sacramental Preparation* with Dr. Arielle Harms

11:00 A.M. | Q&A

12:00 P.M | Holy Mass *(for in-person participants)*

12:30 P.M | Lunch *(for in-person participants)*

1:45 P.M | Optional Tour of Campus *(for in-person participants)*

![VTS photo](https://events.augustine.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/VTS%20photo.png?width=1080&height=1720&name=VTS%20photo.png "VTS photo")

![gold banner](https://events.augustine.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/gold%20banner.png?width=1341&height=16&name=gold%20banner.png "gold banner")

## Session Descriptions

![SeanCircle1500px](https://events.augustine.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/SeanCircle1500px.png?width=200&height=200&name=SeanCircle1500px.png "SeanCircle1500px")

### Dr. Sean Innerst

 **Sacramental Prep in a Catechumenal Mode **

The Church has proposed that the catechumenate, what we now call the OCIA process, is to be the model for all catechesis. What does it mean to do sacramental preparation – at whatever stage – in a catechumenal style?  This talk will explore the structure and dynamism of the OCIA to find inspirations for a vital approach to preparation for the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion.

![Dr Arielle Harms headshot](https://events.augustine.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/GST%20-%20GRADUATE%20SCHOOL/Dr%20Arielle%20Harms%20headshot.png?width=200&height=200&name=Dr%20Arielle%20Harms%20headshot.png "Dr Arielle Harms headshot")

### Dr. Arielle Harms

*** Integrating the Family in Sacramental Preparation ***

While the catechetical documents point out that parents are the primary catechists of their children, most parents are content to abrogate their responsibility, and catechetical programs are designed to accommodate. This talk will examine what the Church means when she says that parents are the primary catechists, and explore ways sacramental programs can assist parents in fulfilling this role.

![St. Augustine Statue Email Banner](https://events.augustine.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/AIC%20-%20AUGUSTINE%20INSTITUTE/St.%20Augustine%20Statue%20Email%20Banner.png?width=1200&height=554&name=St.%20Augustine%20Statue%20Email%20Banner.png "St. Augustine Statue Email Banner")

## Registration

This is a complimentary workshop for those employed by a parish or diocese.   
The event will be offered live online or in-person on our campus in St. Louis, Missouri.

[Attend Online](https://augustineinstitute-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9lwQSah6SBmcRgbLg47JXw)

[Attend In-Person](https://share.hsforms.com/13guc21IJRaibWMkaQMcFZgd69y9)

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16805 New Halls Ferry Road, Florissant, MO 63034 

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