With a goal of “re‑evangelization,” the Parish Partnership Program invites
the average Catholic in the pew to active discipleship. Parishes will have the
opportunity to share and spotlight their “Model Ministries” in an atmosphere of
prayer and friendship. Pastoral leaders will support and learn from one another,
keeping the flame burning through various activities.
- Model Ministries Workshops
These workshops will provide parishes the opportunity to spotlight their
excellent practices and ministries, and share their programs’ unique
strengths with other parishes in a week’s gathering at Immaculate Conception
Seminary every summer, and on one Saturday in the fall. The five yearly
programs of theological foundations, practical tools and tips, stories of
successes and failures, will focus on Parish Leadership, Sacramental
Preparation, Ministry, Whole Parish Catechesis, and “On the Road with Making
Connections Initiatives.”
In year one, the Call to Ministry workshop series addresses the broad
spectrum of ministry, particularly focusing on the call of young adults to
ministry.
In year two, Sacrament Preparation workshops trains men and women in the
theology of each sacrament and highlight ways in which parishes have
succeeded in preparing catechists, parents and children for an understanding
and appreciation of the sacraments. The end of the week will be devoted to
keeping the sacraments alive in the parishes.
In year three, Parish Leadership workshops focuses on God’s call to
ministerial leadership, emphasizing leadership skills, collaboration and
networking.
In year four, Whole Community Catechesis workshops emphasizes the importance
of having the entire parish‑all ages, educational levels and
cultures‑involved in catechetical training. This week of workshops will
ignite the passion of ministry by faith‑sharing and conversion stories of
parishioners.
In year five, “On the Road with ‘The Making Connections’ Initiatives,”
focuses on practical outreach to parishes. The coordinators of each
initiative will give presentations on how to bring such programs to the
heart of the parishes. They will share the nuts and bolts of each program,
the underlying premises of each initiative, and, more importantly, the gift
of their passion for Great Spiritual Books, Christian Employment Outreach,
Parish Partnership, and Seminary’s Theological Education for Parish
Services.
Workshops will be held initially at ICSST, inviting all parishes in the
Archdiocese; later, they will be moved from ICSST to individual parishes.
- Annual Scholarship Competition
The competition is designed to encourage and enable interested and qualified
men and women, particularly young adults, to pursue pastoral ministry
degrees.
- Essay Contributions
Essays will be solicited from high school juniors and seniors, and college
students, regarding “Best Practices” and “Model Ministries” for publication
in annual Spiritual Directions Journal.
