Go into the deep
Explore the richness of Catholic education for adults
The Mary, Mother of the Good Shepherd Institute is an initiative of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland to develop, promote, and enhance the intellectual formation of adults throughout northeast Ohio.
Why We Exist
You've been going to Mass your whole life. You love your faith. But when someone asks you a hard question about suffering, about why Catholics believe what we believe, about how to live your faith at work or at home, you don’t know where to start with an answer.
You're not alone. For most Catholics, faith formation ended in high school. You've listened to podcasts, read books, maybe even led a ministry. But you still feel one step behind.
You worry you're not equipped to pass on the faith to your kids, to lead in ministry with confidence, or to explain what you believe and why it matters.
That gap is why we exist.
Who We Are
The Mary, Mother of the Good Shepherd Institute (MMGSI) is an initiative of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland to develop, promote, and enhance the intellectual formation of adults throughout northeast Ohio.
We're named for the chapel at the heart of our home: the Mary, Mother of the Good Shepherd Chapel at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe, OH. But our mission extends far beyond those walls.
We bring serious Catholic formation to parishes, community centers, and gathering spaces throughout the diocese, because the Church needs you to be formed wherever you are.
What We Do
We offer courses, lectures, workshops, and formation programs taught by seminary faculty and respected scholars. Whether you're a parent trying to answer your teenager's questions, a ministry leader who feels in over your head, a professional seeking an ethical framework for your work, or simply someone hungry to go deeper, we're here for you.
Our programs are:
Serious
College-level content that remains approachable
Accessible
Designed for working adults, not full-time students
Local
In-person learning across the Diocese of Cleveland
Affordable
Flexible payment options available for fee-based courses
Our Hope for You
We hope that through MMGSI, you become someone who:
Can share your faith with confidence
Loves God more deeply with your mind and heart
Feels equipped to pass on the richness of Catholic teaching
Finds community with other serious Catholics on the same journey
Come Join Us
Around the corner from our chapel is a statue of Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom. She is our patron.
Our prayer for you is that through this work, you would become wiser, more fully formed in the image of Christ, and more confident in articulating the faith you love.
Your journey starts here.
Learn in Community,
Not Online
Participate in engaging events and courses held across the Diocese of Cleveland.
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