The Centre for Religious Education and Catechesis cultivates a multidisciplinary approach to applied research and reflective practice in religious education and catechesis that best responds to current needs. Grounded in the Roman Catholic tradition, and embracing all Christian traditions, the Centre seeks to partner with the faith-based agencies working in a variety of ways for faith development and catechesis across Canada.
Leadership Team of the centre
Dr. Carol Kuzmochka, Director and Lead Researcher
Dr. Carol Kuzmochka is a practical theologian specializing in adult faith education (catechesis) and pastoral leadership with expertise in integral adult learning and formation, transformative education and leadership, reflective practice and transformative process facilitation, group dynamics and the spirituality of leadership. She has extensive practice in qualitative research. She is the Director and Lead Researcher of the Centre for Religious Education and Catechesis and a Professor in the Faculty of Human Sciences (School of Leadership, Ecology and Equity) and the principal author CREC’s research-based resources.
Carol holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Dalhousie University (Halifax), a Master of Religious Education Degree and a Doctor of Ministry Degree/doctorat en théologie pratique from Saint Paul University (Ottawa). Along with these academic achievements, she completed a Certificate in Transformative Process Facilitation under the leadership of Dr. Marge Denis.
Carol leads the various research-based activities of CREC along with the wide array of learning and knowledge sharing platforms – offered by CREC – for practitioners across Canada. Carol has extensive experience as a practitioner in the field as director of adult faith education for the English sectors of the Diocese of Timmins (1994 – 2002) and the Archdiocese of Ottawa (2002 – 2006). She was director of the Centre for Pastoral Leadership and Spirituality at Saint Paul University from 2006 – 2012. Carol has a passion for education and has a long and diverse teaching career at Saint Paul University (since 2006) that extends across faculties and programs and includes continuing education programs as well.
Lorraine Ste-Marie, D. Min., Co-Researcher of the Centre
Lorraine Ste-Marie is adjunct professor with School of Leadership, Ecology and Equity in the Faculty of Human Sciences. Prior to her retirement in July 2022, Lorraine served as associate professor and as well as in a number of leadership roles in the University. Lorraine has been an active partner of the Centre for Religious Education and Catechesis since its inception in 2012, and most recently as co-researcher and co-editor with Carol Kuzmochka and Miriam Martin of Where Faith and Life Meet: Adult Faith Education that Transforms, published by Novalis in 2024.
Lorraine completed a Master of Arts in Theology (Ethics) from Saint Paul University and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from McMaster University (Hamilton, ON) in which she focused on the connection between language and leadership development for becoming a more inclusive church. As a practical theologian, Lorraine’s research and teaching bring together resources from a number of disciplines in both human sciences and theology in her search for strengthening ways to cultivate hospitable learning environments and develop transformative leadership capacity. Alongside her academic education, she is trained in process developmental coaching, immunity-to-change mapping, conflict resolution, spiritual accompaniment, and the design and facilitation of Theory U/Presencing. She also serves as resource person and facilitator in the areas of reflective practice and transformative leadership. As adjunct professor, Lorraine continues her research as well as contributes to the design and delivery of professional programs in the Institute for Transformative Leadership.
Sr. Mary-Ellen Francoeur, SOS, Representative of the Sisters of Service
Mary-Ellen is a Sister of Service, and represents her Community on the Board. She now lives in Toronto. Her background is in Clinical Psychology and Spirituality, approaching both in a very holistic way. She is deeply interested in the ongoing development of the spiritual/faith life of adults and children. Beyond her areas of training, she has been very involved in the areas of peace and social/ecological justice. She has spent many years in a healing context with Indigenous people in the far north, Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto. Her personal journey with the Universe Story, and ecospirituality, shape her life and current work.
Board Members
- Jan Bentham, Catholic Association of Religious and Family Life Educators of Ontario
- Bianca Briciu, Professor, School of Leadership, Equity and Ecology, Saint Paul University
- Sister Mary-Ellen Francoeur, Representative of the Sisters of Service of Canada
- Sarah Kathleen Johnson, Professor, Faculty of Theology, Saint Paul University
- Carol Kuzmochka, Director and Lead Researcher, Centre for Religious Education and Catechesis and Professor School of Leadership, Equity and Diversity, Saint Paul University
- Lorraine Ste-Marie ,Co-researcher, Centre for Religious Education and Catechesis and adjunct professor, Faculty of Human Sciences, Saint Paul University
- Christine Taylor, Director of the Office of Catechesis and Evangelization, Diocese of Prince Albert, SK and former chair, Western Conference of Catholic Religious Educators
- Anne Walsh, Coordinator for Partnership in Mission, Redemptorists of North America and leader in adult faith education, Archdiocese of St. John’s Newfoundland and Labrador
- Raymond Lafontaine, is a priest in the Archdiocese of Montreal serving as Episcopal Vicar for the English-speaking sector of the diocese and Director of Pastoral Services.
Raymond was a table facilitator during the Synod for Synodality gathering in Rome and is passionate about Adult Faith Development and the implementation of practices that support the development of a Synodal Church.
Centre for Religious Education and Catechesis
Saint-Paul University
223 Main Street
Ottawa (Ontario)
K1S 1C4
Canada
613 236-1393
recentre@ustpaul.ca
Dr. Carol Kuzmochka, director