Ministerial Growth and Development

Within the context of a curriculum based in communion ecclesiology, pastoral theology courses and field education center on service to the community of faith brought together in the celebration of the Eucharist. To carry out — in light of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5, 1-12) and Paul's descriptive definition of love found in 1 Corinthians 12, 31-13, 8 — ministerial service to the community, the candidate needs demonstrable knowledge and skills in celebrating the rites and liturgies, particularly the Eucharist, preaching the Word of God, counseling and spiritual direction.

In this post modern era, traditional preaching is less effective than honestly expressed felt expression of the speaker's message. The candidate will enroll in a formal introductory course in public speaking to learn the essentials of public speaking. The candidate will join Toastmasters or similar speakers' forum and master the technique of public speaking. The candidate will provide three (3) tapes of the candidate's speaking abilities. The first tape will reflect the candidate's speaking ability PRIOR to any formal training. The second tape will reflect the candidate's speaking ability one half way through the candidate's program. The third tape will reflect the candidate's speaking ability at the end of the candidate's program.

1. Does the speaker communicate his/her intended message coherently?
2. Does the speaker convey authenticity and integrity?
3. Does the speaker communicate his/her intended message with a degree of passion?
4. Does the speaker move the listener to action?
5. Does the speaker engage in humor?

GD 301: Advanced Preaching I(2 MS)

In this post modern era, traditional preaching is less effective than honestly expressed felt expression of the speaker's message. Having mastered the principles of public speaking, the candidate will take a class in extemporaneous speaking. The candidate masters allowing one's self to speak naturally, honestly (authentically), and coherently in any situation. The candidate will create three forums spaced four weeks apart within he or she will present brief between 10 and 20 3 minute talks on religious or spiritual topics provided by forum participants and previously unknown to candidate. The candidate will tape each forum and provide the three tapes marked and dated at the end of the program.

1. Does the speaker communicate his/her intended message coherently?
2. Does the speaker convey authenticity and integrity?
3. Does the speaker communicate his/her intended message with a degree of passion?
4. Does the speaker move the listener to action?
5. Does the speaker engage in humor?

GD 401: Advanced Preaching II (1 MS)

In this post modern era, traditional preaching is less effective than honestly expressed felt expression of the speaker's message. Having mastered the principles of extemporaneous speaking, the candidate will create a forum or a context in which he or she can demonstrate that he or she practices with authenticity, honesty, integrity, and coherence what he or she preaches. The candidate will create three forums/contexts spaced four weeks apart within he/she will present his her public demonstration in religious or spiritual topics selected by candidate. The candidate will (video or audio) tape each forum and provide the three tapes marked and dated at the end of the program.

1. Does the speaker communicate his/her intended message coherently?
2. Does the speaker convey authenticity and integrity?
3. Does the speaker communicate his/her intended message with a degree of passion?
4. Does the speaker move the listener to action?
5. Does the speaker engage in humor?

The candidate will contact The American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC) or a similar educational institution in one's area and enroll in an introductory program that covers an overview of counseling theories in general and spiritual or pastoral counseling in particular. Prior to enrollment, the candidate will get his or her course of study approved by the Director of Vocations or designee. The candidate will provide a certificate of successful completion.

The candidate will contact The American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC) or a similar educational institution in one's area and enroll in an introductory program that covers the basic of counseling in general and spiritual or pastoral counseling in particular. Prior to enrollment, the candidate will get his or her course of study approved by the Director of Vocations or designee. The course of study is to include pastoring skills and theological foundation for engagement in a variety of pastoral counseling situations, specifically, ethical issues, interviewing skills, crisis and marital counseling issues, and skills for appropriate referral. The candidate will provide a certificate of successful completion.

The liturgy in general, the celebration of The Eucharist in particular, is the center of Catholic worship and presence. The candidate with work with his or her clerical mentor to engender a sense of true liturgical presence and authenticity. This celebration practicum assists those who will serve the Church as presbyters (or deacons, as the case may be) to preside at the Eucharist as well as to celebrate the sacraments of Baptism, Marriage, Reconciliation and Healing with reverence and confidence. The candidate's mentor will issue a PASS upon successful completion.

This course focuses on the liturgical documents which are a manifestation of the Church's "faith, experience and reflection." Whether at the Eucharistic table, celebrating the Liturgy of the Hours, a liturgy for children, preparing music for a gathered assembly or dealing with the art and environment for worship, these documents guide and direct how the Christian faith is celebrated, liturgically, by the Church.

• Universalis (Divine Office, etc. ALL links)
• Meeting Christ in the Liturgy
• Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy
• On the Sacred Liturgy
• Apostolic Letter: On the 25th Anniversary of the Liturgical Constitution
• Orthodox Pers[ective: On Divine Worship

The candidate will read and reflect on key aspects of the ministry of spiritual direction by using the sites listed below and others as the candidate researches. The candidate will enroll in at least one (1) class, course or workshop in spiritual direction (Training Centers for Spiritual Directors followed by a supervised practicum with the candidate's mentor. (Mentor and candidate design practicum.)

• A Basic Guide to Spiritual Direction
• Modern Mystics
• Spiritual Directions Workshops
• What is a soul friend or spiritual director?
• Spiritual Formation Online
• Spiritual Formation
• Spiritual Direction
• Spiritual Directors International
• Training Centers for Spiritual Directors Spiritual Formation http://www.cfsaw.org/spiritual-direction-formation/

Candidate presents certificate or letter of completion of course taken in spiritual direction and letter of completion of practicum to satisfy requirement of this way station.

GD 430: Pastoral Synthesis (2 MS)

The candidate prepares an written thesis that focuses on the role of pastor as servant-leader working with others as the case may be, areas of church administration, legal issues touching on clerical life, decision making, conflict resolution, collaborative ministry, personal life issues (finding a balance in work, education, leisure, and spirituality), and models for priestly leadership (with consequent results).