FAMILIES LIVING FAITH
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ABOUT  FAMILIES LIVING FAITH 

Families Living Faith was born of a call to reimagine faith formation. What would it look like to put families at the center of faith formation? To encourage, empower, and equip parents to be the primary formers of faith in their families? What would it look like to partner with parents? To accompany them in real ways, meeting them where they are? 

It began with a vision, influenced by the work of John Roberto and the Center for the Ministry of Development. This training presented possibilities for those who knew we weren't getting the results in faith formation that we hoped for. Our parish vision was for every family to truly live the faith, to know the person of Jesus, and make him present in their own homes, in our parish, and in the community beyond. 
​
​That vision continues to call me forth in this ministry today.
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“The family, is so to speak,
​the domestic church.”

​(Lumen Gentium #11). 

About me:

​I am a coach, presenter, and writer. My work as a Director of Faith Formation for over 10 years, and then as a Diocesan Catechetical Associate, informed my work as a consultant for publishers and nonprofit organizations for the last decade. It is my privilege to work with organizations like Vibrant Faith and Lifelong Faith Associates, both doing incredible ecumenical work in this field, and with Twenty-Third Publications, in their publishing of my book, Engage Every Family: A Parish Guide to Integrated Faith Formation.

I also love working with individual leaders and parish teams as they identify and articulate their vision for their parish and design a plan to implement an approach that centers on families.
 

I also speak on topics of spirituality and faith formation. Recent presentations include:
  • Parenthood as Calling
  • If the Tech Fits
  • The Forgotten Catechists: Strengthening Parents as Faith Formators
  • Transformation through Storytelling: Strengthening Community
  • Designing Faith Formation for Families in a Post-Covid World

​Upcoming presentations and retreats include:
  • Engage Every Family 
  • The Road to Emmaus:  A Dialogue of Love ​
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I live in Chicago with my husband, Rob, and our two dogs: Ranger and Roy Kent (yes, influenced by Ted Lasso... our puppy also has really "strong" eyebrows, and an even stronger personality).

We have three adult children, a daughter-in-law, a soon to be son-in law, and the best grandbaby in the world. For all of this we are incredibly grateful!



​

Denise Utter
Families Living Faith


Email

deniseutter@familieslivingfaith.com
  • home
    • about
  • Engaging Families
    • About the book
  • integrated faith formation
    • Why change?
    • What are churches doing? >
      • Designing Playlists >
        • Engage During Advent
        • Engage During Lent - New!
    • Where to start
  • Work with Me
    • Coaching
    • Training
    • Speaking
    • Contact
  • Resources
    • Websites
    • Articles, books, & more
    • Podcasts, Webinars, & Videos
    • Digital tools
  • Blog