Diocese welcomes new Office of Faith Formation director

Friday, Apr. 19, 2024

SALT LAKE CITY — Peri Flanagan has assumed the role of director of the diocesan Office of Faith Formation. She takes over from Susan Northway, who held the position for nearly 19 years before retiring in January.

Flanagan has stellar academic credentials and vast experience in faith formation, especially in Catholic school settings, as well as expertise in curriculum development, said Msgr. Colin F. Bircumshaw, vicar general.  “She also has a reputation as a diligent and self-directed employee,” he said.

Originally from Minnesota, Flanagan came to Utah 25 years ago with her husband, Peter. The couple has three adult sons — Paul, William and John — and attend church at St Thomas More and St. John the Baptist parishes.

A teacher for close to 30 years, Flanagan has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University in Minnesota and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Seattle University. She also has a Catholic school leadership certificate from Creighton University, and has experience in elementary, middle and high school. 

Since coming to Utah, she has taught at St. John the Baptist Middle School and Juan Diego Catholic High School, both on the Skaggs Catholic Center in Draper. Most recently she served as theology department chair, Kairos retreats coordinator and as a member of the Campus Life Department at Juan Diego.

In July 2023 Flanagan was hired as faith formation coordinator for the Utah Catholic Schools office. 

“It wasn’t really in my plan,” she said of that position. “But most things I have done that have been good for me in my life have not been in my plan; it’s been God’s plan.” 

This year, with Northway’s retirement, officials decided to combine the diocesan director of faith formation position with the school’s coordinator position.

Flanagan sees her new role as one of support for the faithful in Utah and to “empower the people to keep and spread the faith,” she said. “A good question to ask often is, ‘Where are we called to be going?’”

Her background in education should help her in building bridges and forming a more cohesive community, Flanagan said. She plans to be of support to parish leaders, religious education directors, catechists and parishioners by providing formation activities and education so that they can go out and serve others. 

“I think that we’re going to be mission driven,” she said. “The programs matter, but it’s important to be mission driven. Everyone’s needs are different. Humanity is diverse, and we want to meet them where they’re at, educate, empower them and allow them to embark towards serving others.”

That goal is the same in the schools and in the parishes, she said. “We need to educate, help people with their formation through their education, so that they feel empowered to embark and go out and serve others. The end result is to build up a community of people who go out and serve, and there’s no difference when it comes to parishes or schools with that intention.”

In the schools Flanagan is already working with the new teachers on mission, orientation and catechist certification. She also plans to do that in the parishes.

Over the past few months Flanagan has invited feedback from Catholics across the diocese.

“Early on in my master’s degree I was taught that, when you were starting something, or beginning a new role, you should really be looking at what the reality is, what’s really happening, and the ideal,” she said. “So, I’ve spent a lot of time these past few months, and now, again, in this new role, in this past month, talking to people about what they see is the real with information across the diocese, and what would be the ideal.” 

“My intention is to be of support to go out and build bridges, through fostering and growing relationships,” Flanagan said.” I really want to know the best way to serve a larger population of people.”