Office of Ministry Formation

The Office of Ministry Formation provides education and formation opportunities and support services for lay ministers serving in the diocese. The Office also assists in developing, implementing, and coordinating the work of the Diaconate Formation Program, oversees Newman Center ministry at Winona State University (Winona, MN) and Minnesota State University - Mankato (Mankato, MN), and coordinates diocesan ecumenical efforts.

Current Programs

Institute of Lay Ministry.  A three-year formation program designed to better prepare and strengthen lay persons in their faith, understanding, and skills as lay ministers for the Church.

Diocesan Ministry Days.  Diocesan gatherings to provide professional in-service and enrichment opportunities for clergy, parish staff, and other church leaders.

Satellite Theological Education Program (STEP).  A distance-learning, theological and pastoral education program (organized in partnership with the University of Notre Dame's Institute for Church Life) for those involved in the various ministries of the Church.  (To learn more about STEP and its current offerings, contact the Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame [Phone: 1-866-425-7837 / Web Site: http://step.nd.edu / E-mail: icl@nd.edu].

StaffMr. Todd Graff [Phone: (507) 454-4643, ext. 270 / Fax: (507) 454-8106 / E-mail: tgraff@dow.org

Todd currently serves as the Director of the Office of Ministry Formation.  Todd received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Creighton University in Omaha, NE, and his Master of Arts degree in Theology from Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA.  Previous to coming to the diocese, he served as a campus minister at Creighton University and as a high school religion teacher and campus minister at Hales Franciscan High School in Chicago, IL.  He came to the Diocese of Winona in August, 1990, to serve as the Coordinator of Social Action Programs for Catholic Charities.  In December, 1999, he assumed his present position. Todd is married to Laurie Ziliak and the father of six children - Isaac, Jesse, Nathan, Samuel, Sophia, and Hannah.

Ms. Janice Market [Phone: (507) 454-4643, ext. 233 / Fax: (507) 454-8106 / E-mail: jmarket@dow.org] currently serves as the secretary for the Office of Ministry Formation.