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Frato joins diocesan staff

By MICHELLE DELANEY, Globe staff reporter

Central Catholic Offices recently welcomed a new addition to their building on July 18. Justin Frato is the new assistant director for adult catechesis and family life for the Diocese of Sioux City.

Frato grew up in the Cleveland, Ohio area. He attended Miami University of Ohio where he acquired his bachelor’s degree in sociology. He obtained his master’s degree in theology and Christian ministry, with a focus on catechesis, from the Franciscan University of Steubenville.

Immediately after college, he spent four years as a college campus minister at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Newman Center. While at UNL, Frato taught some classes that Father Pat Behm attended. Frato said that he is excited to be able to reconnect with Father Behm after so many years.

He left his position as the director of faith formation for a parish in a Chicago suburb to join the chancery staff.
“I’ve had a real passion and desire to do adult evangelization and catechesis work. I’ve felt the Lord calling me to that and this position seemed like a good fit,” said Frato.

He also went on to say that he feels his past experiences will help him in this new position.

He hopes to help support people in the parishes, help inspire people in their faith, and help implement what Bishop Walker Nickless wants to do with his pastoral initiatives.

“I bring that passion with me, I also have a lot of knowledge and experience with this type of work,” said Frato.

He is looking forward to the opportunity to develop the adult evangelization and catechesis programs. He also noted that they are starting a basic catechist certification program and he and the others in the office will be getting that ready and will be training facilitators.

“I’m looking forward to working on projects, reaching out and helping renew Catholics,” said Frato. “I would like to see some different programs started that are geared at helping people enter into a relationship with Christ. I know that’s one of the bishop’s initiatives.”

He noted that he has some ideas for programs he has seen work in his prior experiences and he would love to help get them off the ground.

Frato has been married to his wife Meghan for 10 years. They have four children: Hope, age nine, Felicity, age seven, Joseph, age three, and Miriam, 11 months.

They will be residing in the former rectory in Merrill and look forward to checking out some of the local parishes before they choose one to call their home.