The Office for Catechesis and Youth Ministry (OFCYM) is the representative body through which the Archbishop directs the catechetical and youth ministry activities of the Archdiocese of Chicago. As part of the evangelizing mission of the Church, the OFCYM promotes lifelong catechesis through:
- Direction of the formation, certification and renewal of certification processes for parish and Catholic school catechists and catechetical leaders
- Analysis of the state of catechesis and youth ministry in the Archdiocese leading to the design and/or implementation of appropriate responses
- Development of programs for ongoing formation of catechists, youth ministers and catechetical leaders
- Facilitation of widespread use of all media resources
- Collaboration and networking with Archdiocesan departments and agencies and other related local and national organizations
- The OFCYM mission serves catechetical leaders, youth ministers, and catechists in vicariates, deaneries, clusters and parishes of the Archdiocese.