LEAFF (Leadership Empowerment and Faith Formation)

LEAFF began as an idea from Social Ministries Commission in 2001 as a sharing of the IHM Capital Campaign Fund with inner city parishes in Cincinnati. A fund was established for this purpose.  George Findley, then director of the African American Catholic Ministries, proposed three parishes, St. Mark’s, St. Andrew’s, and Holy Name.  Since then the leaders of these parishes have met with Social Ministries members to develop a plan of how best to empower their parishioners in faith formation.

  LEAFF provides the funding to reimburse the expenses of any parishioner that is interested in developing themselves in the faith and/or parish leadership roles.  Parishioners have taken LPMP courses, Deaconate courses, workshops for liturgical music development, as well as being a part of the Christ Renews His Parish retreat through IHM.  An existing leader in each parish acts as a mentor for recipients in the LEAFF program and concurs with the development activities and the costs as the most effective course of action. The intention is that beneficiaries of this program remain in their parish and return the support they have received by their personal leadership contributions.  This is an ongoing project.  Contact:  Fred Heyse 474 1514 heysefh@earthlink.net