EQUIP Formation for the New Evangelization

Year End Celebration for Diploma in New Evangelization and EQUIP Program

This week marks the end of the year for the Diploma in the New Evangelization and the diocesan EQUIP program. Participants in the EQUIP program take part in small groups and retreats in order to be formed in the faith and trained to engage in the mission of the church at the parish level, while also taking courses to provide a solid theological foundation and education. EQUIP participants from across the diocese came together and celebrated their year-end retreat this past weekend as they reflected on the themes of Pilgrims of Hope, based on the theme of our current Jubilee Year.

Special congratulations to all the EQUIP participants who have completed their third year of the program, and who are now preparing to receive their Diploma in the New Evangelization at this weekends convocation ceremony at Atlantic School of Theology (AST). Please pray for these graduates, and all graduates of AST, as they celebrate this accomplishment, that they will find many ways to put their gifts at the service of spreading the Gospel within our parishes and the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth.

Be Equipped For Mission

EQUIP is a new Archdiocesan formation process, EQUIP brochure pic on FrontPanel 72 designed to help prepare you for the mission of New Evangelization – the mission to bring the Gospel to all those you meet in your daily life.

EQUIP is comprised of four major components which work together to provide formation and preparation for the mission of evangelization within parishes in the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth. These four components are:

Diploma in the New Evangelization (Atlantic School of Theology)
Retreats (twice annually)
Small Group Discussions (monthly)
Webinars (twice annually)

Many Catholics are engaged with their faith and desire to share their faith with others but don’t know how. EQUIP provides the teachings, skills, tools, and confidence to prepare leaders for the mission - whether that means leadership in your parish, your family, your workplace or the public sphere. If you have the desire to witness to Christ and to bring Him to those you encounter – consider EQUIP!

“Being a part of the Equip program is incredible
as it brings me into fellowship with other Catholics desiring to grow in faith and follow Jesus to impact our church communities with love, relevance and revival like the early church. What an incredible blessing this has been - I love being a part of the Equip program!”
- Cathy, 2^nd Year EQUIP student

For more information about EQUIP see below "Facts about EQUIP".

EQUIP Formation 2024-2025 Components

Wednesday Evenings
(6:00pm-8:30pm)
Weekly classes in AST’s Diploma in New Evangelization

Small Group Meetings - Monthly

Webinars (on topics related to Evangelization) - Two per year (online)

Retreat Weekends (TBD)
1. Fall 2024
2. Spring 2025

Facts about EQUIP

1. The Four Components of EQUIP

Practical Skills

Each semester features a webinar focused on the concrete skills you need to effectively share Christ with others. These skills focus on your identifying your personal vocation and mission, sharing the faith with others, discernment, and leadership. Additionally, you be expected to participate in a wider formative experience, related to evangelization, church renewal, or Christian leadership to help broaden your experience.

The Diploma in New Evangelization
EQUIPgraphic sq

The Diploma in New Evangelization is a program offered by the Atlantic School of Theology (AST). This program forms part of the EQUIP and is required coursework. These six courses are designed to give basic understanding of Catholic theology and teaching and how they apply in today’s culture.

Learning Communities

Each participant is part of a monthly small group session, facilitated by a mentor, to discuss your learning and help discern how God is calling you to follow him in everyday life.

Spiritual Development

Each academic year begins and ends with a retreat. These retreats provide you with an opportunity to grow in prayer and to bond in community with other participants.

2. Flexible Approach

EQUIP is structured so that Catholics from across the diocese can participate. Classes and small groups are available online in real time, so that in-class those at a distance can take part in the discussions and learning.

3. Investing In You

Thanks to the generosity of local sponsors and donors, we are able to offer EQUIP free of charge to accepted applicants! The cost without this sponsorship would be approximately $1,100 per student for each year. That’s $3,300 in training invested in you over the course of the program to help bring about renewal of the church and the world.

4. Are You Ready?

EQUIP requires a commitment of your time and attention. The program is completed over three years. In particular EQUIP students are expected to: