Forming Missionary Disciples in Southern Minnesota

How the Institute of Lay Formation Is Strengthening Our Diocese — and How Seeds of Faith Grants Help Make It Possible 

Across the Diocese of Winona‑Rochester (DOW-R), more lay Catholics are stepping forward to deepen their faith and serve the Church with confidence. At the heart of this movement is the Institute of Lay Formation (ILF): a three‑year formation program designed to help lay people become missionary disciples of Jesus Christ. 

The Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota is honored to support this work through Seeds of Faith – Faith Formation Endowment grants each year, helping ensure ILF can continue forming lay missionary disciples who strengthen parish life across Southern Minnesota. 

A Three‑Year Journey of Formation 

The ILF is built around a simple but powerful mission: to form a lay person into a missionary disciple who is capable of confidently preaching the Gospel, drawing others into relationship with Jesus, and discipling them in the Christian life. 

The program unfolds over three years: 

Year One: "Encounter & Trust in the Lord”—Encountering Christ 

During this first year, ILF participants receive formation on prayer and communing with the Lord. The ILF teaches lay people, through the practice of habitual prayer how to foster a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That personal relationship will be the catalyst that motivates them to follow Jesus and undergo discipleship transformation. 

“Year One helps participants recognize their desire for God and begin building the habits of prayer and reflection that sustain discipleship.” — Brian Hansen 

Year Two: “Follow & Listen to the Lord” — Growing as Disciples 

In year two, ILF participants receive formation on discipleship, the Lord’s teachings, and the ability to know, understand, and articulate the Kerygma. At this stage of formation, the ILF will challenge these lay disciples to cultivate and embody specific virtues while articulating to them the Gospel to condition them to comprehend, recall, and communicate it.  

“Year Two is where participants really begin to grow in confidence. They learn to hear the Lord and understand how He is calling them to preach the Good News.” — Brian Hansen 

Year Three: “Witness & Remain in the Lord” — Living Mission 

The final year offers ILF participants formation on witnessing the Gospel, intentionally discipling another, long-term accompaniment, and knowing Jesus Christ’s identity and way in the face of secular and religious distortions. The ILF equips its participants with evangelization skills and techniques that they will then integrate into their daily life to witness the Catholic faith and bring the light of Christ to those living in darkness. 

“Year Three prepares lay people to go forth, to share the Gospel, walk with others, and strengthen parish life by making disciples of all nations.” — Brian Hansen 

Why ILF Matters for Our Diocese 

Parishes across Southern Minnesota increasingly rely on lay leaders to support catechesis, evangelization, pastoral care, and parish administration. ILF alumni serve in roles such as: 

• Catechists 

• RCIA leaders 

• Small‑group facilitators 

• Parish evangelization teams 

• Ministry coordinators 

• Retreat leaders 

• Pastoral council members 

ILF alumni bring deeper prayer lives, stronger theological grounding, and a clearer sense of mission: exactly what our DOW-R parishes need to thrive. 

“ILF is forming lay people who strengthen the Church from within. Their impact is felt in every parish they serve.” — Brian Hansen 

Seeds of Faith Grants Make This Formation Possible 

The ILF is a robust program with retreats, formation days, materials, keynote speakers, and spiritual direction. Seeds of Faith – Faith Formation grants help cover: 

• Retreat expenses 

• Formation materials 

• Speaker and formator stipends 

• Meals and lodging 

• Program development 

This support ensures that ILF participants can access high‑quality formation without financial barriers and that the program can continue growing to meet the needs of the diocese. 

“The Seeds of Faith grants allow us to offer a level of formation that would otherwise be out of reach. They make this mission possible.” — Brian Hansen 

A Partnership for the Future of the Church 

The ILF is raising up lay Catholics who pray deeply, serve generously, and evangelize with confidence. Their formation strengthens parishes, enriches communities, and builds a culture of missionary discipleship across Southern Minnesota. 

The Catholic Foundation is grateful to accompany this work through Seeds of Faith grants, and deeply thankful for the parishioners who sacrificed to establish the Seeds of Faith endowments in the early 2000s, as well as the memorial and estate gifts that continue to grow our endowments today. 

Together, we are forming disciples who will serve Christ and His Church for generations.