The Call to Care for Clergy Health

At the heart of Catholic Leadership Institute’s (CLI) mission is care for clergy. Pastoral leadership is critically important, as challenges loom larger than ever before, and clergy numbers are dwindling. As part of CLI’s overall strategic initiative to better support our shepherds, our wellness effort seeks to reverse the downward trends by fostering happier, healthier, and holier clergy.

Having measurable data through the Whoop device - a watch that measures sleep, calories, stress, etc. - was invaluable to illustrate change over the course of the pilot. In a post-pilot survey, on a scale of 1-5, priests scored the following program elements 4.25 points or higher:

• greater intentionality around nutrition.
• increased movement.
• positive response to data tracking.
• the value and experience of a working with a personal coach.
• feeling healthier and more energized.
• gaining increased tools and knowledge to live healthier.
• endorsing this program as beneficial for priests’ overall health and wellness.

What We Learned

Priestly motivation is a prerequisite; their learning curve is greater than anticipated. We learned that the priests' intentionality drives change, and when they are equipped, supported, and informed, they can accomplish progress in all areas of wellness. Technology was critical for measurement and personal fitness coaching was equally critical for motivation. We know that priests are hungry to lessen their own burnout, improve energy, and better live their vocation. Unexpectedly, this pilot met one of the deepest needs for priests: not to feel alone. This was a result of the fraternity, support, and community that this pilot fostered.

The Goal: To Impact 1,000 Priests

Over the next five years, Catholic Leadership Institute – along with the investment of committed leadership benefactors – seeks to impact the health and wellness of 800-1,000 priests across the country. This wellness endeavor will be a key component in our new, five-year, organizational strategic initiative that takes a comprehensive and innovative approach to ongoing priestly formation via four pillars: human, pastoral, intellectual, and spiritual development.

Where Will We Focus Our Energy?

• Technology & Program Development: We are called to enhance and implement our technology resources to best meet the needs of Catholic wellness. This technology will serve as a hub of data gathering, insights, learning, and inspiration. This has the potential to be a revenue-generating interface for lay Catholics that would provide an ongoing funding stream for this program longer term.
• A Network of World-Class Coaches: CLI is committed to building and training a network of coaches to scale and serve more clergy.
• Research: CLI’s Innovation & Development Team will analyze and synthesize findings and use them to continually enhance the program.
• Continuous Program Enrichment and Content Development: CLI is committed to ongoing enhancements and content creation to ensure the highest standards of excellence.
• Communications: Sharing findings and insights as well as continued efforts and collateral to encourage participation will allow us to inspire more clergy to care better for their health and share learnings nationally.
• Clergy Healthy Task Force: Catholic Leadership Institute welcomes the volunteer leadership of a group of national advisors to guide, share feedback and expertise, and help plot a course for the future for this effort.