The 13th annual diocesan catechetical convocation is slated for Wednesday, Oct. 3 at the Grapevines Banquet Center, 333 Dick Road in Depew. Nationally known speaker and author, Julianne Stanz will give the keynote, Missionary Discipleship and Transforming Leadership. Stanz is currently the director of discipleship and leadership development for the Diocese of Green Bay and a consultant on the USCCB's committee for evangelization and catechesis.

The convocation will play host to parish catechetical leaders from across the diocese - clergy, as well as lay leaders. As the Church embraces its primary purpose, to evangelize and catechize, this event provides an opportunity for leaders of faith formation, youth ministry, RCIA, adult faith formation, and other parish ministries to gather for a day of prayer and learning. In addition to the keynote, participants will choose a break-out session following lunch. These sessions, designed to deepen one's role as a disciple and ability to form other disciples, will offer attendees time for dialogue and practical applications of these ideas to their parish setting.

Registration is $25 a person however, in an effort to affirm and support priests and deacons of the diocese, clergy are welcomed free of charge. All participants must register prior to Sept. 21 and can do so online at www.buffalodiocese.org/lifelong-faith-formation/welcome.

This event is co-sponsored by the Department of Lifelong Faith Formation and the Committee for the Continuing Formation of Priests. For more information contact 716-847-5501.