Diocese of Portland announces new Director of the Office of Lifelong Faith Formation

Kim Suttie has been named the new director for the Diocese of Portland’s Office of Lifelong Faith Formation (OLFF). Kim was the pastoral life coordinator for Corpus Christi Parish in Winslow for 17 years before accepting this position. She succeeds Lori Dahlhoff who was the director for seven years.

“Kim has over 30 years of dedicated service in our parishes, and she brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for nurturing the faith of our community. Her longstanding commitment to developing robust faith formation programs and supporting catechetical initiatives has profoundly enriched our diocese,” Bishop James Ruggieri said. “As we embark on this new chapter, we are filled with hope and anticipation for the innovative and transformative work Kim and the office will lead, guiding us all towards a deeper relationship with Christ and a more vibrant expression of our Catholic faith.”

Before serving at Corpus Christi Parish, Kim was the pastoral associate at the former Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Fairfield from 1993 through 2007.

“I am thrilled to start collaborating with the team from the Office of Lifelong Faith Formation and the committed catechetical leaders across the diocese. I look forward to leveraging my extensive experience in parish ministry to support our catechetical initiatives and help bring Bishop Ruggieri’s vision for catechesis in Maine come to life,” Kim said.

As the pastoral life coordinator for Corpus Christi, Kim successfully managed all pastoral programs of the parish including faith formation for grades including kindergarten through high school, recruiting, and supporting parish catechetical leaders and youth ministers and reviewing, selecting, and implementing catechetical programs.

At Corpus Christi Parish, Kim led baptism and marriage preparation sessions along with adult faith formation groups. Through her tenure, Kim planned parish retreats and prayer services. She has led efforts to plan liturgical celebrations such as Holy Week, Corpus Christi Sunday, RCIA rites and reconciliation services.

While at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Kim creatively met goals while overseeing faith formation, youth ministry and liturgy. She coordinated with the pastor and the pastoral council to develop a catechetical plan. Kim also implemented sacramental preparation for Eucharist, reconciliation, confirmation, and RCIA.

Kim graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, with a Bachelor of Arts in economics with a concentration in religious studies. She has completed numerous courses in working to attain a Master of Education in religious education from Boston College.

She is the vice chairperson of the Catholic Charities of Maine Board of Directors and has served on the board since 2016.

The Office of Lifelong Faith Formation serves the bishop and parishes of the Diocese of Portland in the efforts of evangelization, catechesis, and faith formation of adults, youth, and children as they grow as disciples of Jesus Christ and contribute toward the mission entrusted to the Church.