| CLI in Florida: Priests to Learn Leadership Strategies to Avoid Spreading Themselves too Thin |
[ Back to News Articles ] |
The Following article appeared in the Florida Catholic in the July 7, 2007 issue. The publication serves the Diocese of Orlando, Palm Beach, Venice, St. Petersburg, and Pensacola-Tallahassee as well as the Archdiocese of Miami.
By: Teresa Lantigua Peterson, of the Florida Catholic staff
This is one in an occasional series of follow-ups on the diocesewide synod planning process that took place between the spring of 2005 and the summer of 2006. The recommendations of the synod are referred to as The Vision Revealed. The goal is to become Witnesses to Hope, Alive in Christ.
ORLANDO — Thirty-five priests from the Diocese of Orlando will soon begin a two-year professional development plan to grow in their ministry as servant leaders. Designed specifically for Catholic priests, the program known as Good Leaders, Good Shepherds uses Jesus Christ as the ultimate shepherd and model of leadership.
The training curriculum, brought to the diocese as a result of synod recommendations, is rich in Catholic tradition with references to church teaching, Scripture, saints and other Catholic leaders.
“We are called to lead our fellow brothers and sisters to a new experience of holiness and abundant life in Christ. Our priests serve well in this capacity. But they also seek to learn new insight and reflect on ways to more effectively lead members of the church to Jesus Christ,” said Bishop Thomas Wenski.
According to the Catholic Leadership Institute, the nonprofit organization that developed Good Leaders, Good Shepherds, today’s priests face many challenges that require new strategies to overcome.
There are fewer priests in service who face an increase in duties and demands. Recent research has shown priests seek more time for their prayer life and more balance to lead healthier lives. Priests are also facing an increase in administrative responsibilities, giving them little time for sacramental aspects of ministry they find so fulfilling.
The Priest Commission of the diocesewide synod sent a comprehensive survey to all priests, and respondents said they were seeking greater education, training and support in their spiritual growth. Good Leaders, Good Shepherds accomplishes a goal established during the synod to establish a professional development plan for priests.
“We are limited with the number of priests we have. We need to be as efficient as possible to keep ourselves healthy, both physically and spiritually,” said Father Richard Trout, pastor of All Souls Catholic Church in Sanford. He served as chairman of the Priest Commission during the 18-month synod process.
“This program is an excellent opportunity for us to improve our priesthood and thus improve the spiritual life of the diocese,” Father Trout added. He has been a pastor for 15 years, but said he enrolled in the program, which begins next month, because there is always a need to learn new things.
Good Leaders, Good Shepherds trains priests in five areas of leadership: personal, one-on-one, teams, organizations and relationships. The classes focus on effective leadership, problem solving and managing change. The curriculum was designed to help priests minimize time spent on administrative duties and increase time spent on pastoral roles for which they were uniquely ordained.
|
