Is God calling you to ministerial leadership in your community?
Fulfilling its responsibility to the Church of Long Island, the Office of Faith Formation prepares, catechizes, educates, forms, and authorizes lay ministers and leaders to hand on the faith to others as Jesus has commanded.
One of the primary ways we do this is through the Pastoral Formation Institute (PFI). This extensive and indepth program involves lay people in an integrated process of spiritual, theological, and personal growth. It aims at the development of skilled and confident leaders who are formed in community, rooted in personal and liturgical prayer, and who fully embrace discipleship of Christ Jesus as members of his Body.
What is the Pastoral Formation Institute?
The Pastoral Formation Institute is a two-year program of intensive spiritual and theological formation, with the option for a third year of leadership training for particular ministries.
How does the Institute differ from other educational offerings?
PFI’s primary emphasis is on the integration of adult spiritual formation, theological study, and practical training for ministry.
For whom is it designed?
It’s designed for men and women seeking formation, education, and leadership skills for ministry in the Church.
What will participants receive?
deepened faith
renewed prayer life
solid knowledge and understanding of theology
improved ability to communicate and relate to others
better organizational skills
effective ministerial techniques
Where are the classes offered?
Classes are held at Parish Regional Centers across Long Island, at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Hungtington, and in St. John the Baptist High School in West Islip.
This 2007-2008 year course are being offered in:
Holy Spirit Parish, New Hyde Park
Our Lady of Assumption Parish, Copiague
St. Anthony de Padua Parish, E. Northport
St. Bernard Parish, Levittown
St. Isidore Parish, Riverhead
St. Patrick Parish, Glen Cove
What is offered:
First Year
Thirty two-hour sessions are held at regional parish centers plus three formation weekends.
Second Year
Thirty two-hour sessions held at parish regional centers plus two Formation Weekends and two one day workshops.
Third Year
Three Formation Weekends and one supervised internship in a specific ministry of our [your?] choice.
Who teaches the courses?
The instructors who are hired must have at least a graduate degree in theology or the equivalent. All instructors are required to follow the curriculum issued by the Office of Faith Formation.
The Instiute is officially accredited by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. We are required to maintain certain standards to retain our accreditation.
Besides attending the sessions and weekends, what else is required?
In addition to attendance, reading assignments, a prayer journal of personal reflections, and a two or three page theological reflection paper at the end of each course are also required. The reflection paper will be submitted to the instructor within two weeks of the end of each course. The paper will be returned to you with the instructor’s remarks. This paper is a tool to assist you in the progress of your formation. It is not a test and you will not be graded.
What will I study?
First Year: Understanding Self, God, and Others
Year I focuses on the inner work necessary to articulate adult faith through the experience of God’s presence. An understanding of Scripture as the basis of the revelation of God and the foundations for prayer assists the participant in understanding Christian spirituality more fully. Built into this year are elements of evangelization and conversion, as the person is introduced to the process of theological reflection and prayer as contemplation.
Year I Classes (Sessions)
| Orientation |
2 Hours |
| Redemptive Listening |
8 Hours |
| Graced Human Development |
12 Hours |
| Foundations of Spirituality |
12 Hours |
| Old Testament |
14 Hours |
| New Testament |
12 Hours |
Year I Formation Weekends
During Year I each participant is required to attend three formation weekends for the purpose of integrating and deepening the class material covered to date in the context of prayer and faith sharing. These weekends begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday night and end at noon on Sunday. They are usually held at the Diocesan Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington.
First Weekend: Myers-Briggs for Ministry
Second Weekend: Family Dynamics
Third Weekend: Prayer
Second Year: Becoming Light to the World
Year II builds on the growing awareness of the presence of God in our lives. The participant is asked to reconsider the Church by studying her teachings and traditions; to see the Church as a community of people called and gifted by God; and to see themselves as called to be the presence of Christ in the world primarily in the family, marketplace, and parish. All of this has the intention of leading individuals to respond to their baptism by giving witess to Christ in their everyday lives and in active ministry.
Year II Classes (Sessions)
| Christology |
10 Hours |
| Church |
10 Hours |
| Living the Christian Life |
14 Hours |
| Sacraments and Liturgy |
12 Hours |
| Ministry |
14 Hours |
Year II Formation Weekends and Workshops
During Year II each pariticipant is required to attend two formation weekends for the purpose of developing the skills for their ministry and discern to which ministry God is calling them. These weekends begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday night and end at 12:00 noon on Sunday afternoon. The Worshops are held on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. with a break for lunch. They are usually held at the Diocesan Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington.
| Weekend: |
Discernment |
| Workshop: |
Giftedness Workshop |
| Workshop: |
Pastoral Issues and Sexuality |
| Weekend: |
Discipleship |
Year III
Upon successful completion of the two-year curriculum, participants have the option of applying for entrance into the one-year ministy skills training program. Different Ministry tracks are offered each year.
Some samples of Ministry tracks that have been offered through the years:
Bereavement (Ministry of Consolation)* Catechetical Leadership * Catholic Social Mission (Justice) * Evangelization * Family Ministry * Liturgy * Marriage Preparation/Enrichment (Pre-Cana)* Ministry to the Third Age * Parenting * Pastoral Care of the Sick * Prison Minsitry * Rite of Christian Initiation of Adult (RCIA) * Small (Basic) Christian Comunities * Parish Social Ministry (Outreach) * Stewardship * Youth Ministry*
Elements of a Ministry Track
Classes: 35 hours
Instructors experienced in each particular ministry will present practical content on that particular ministerial area. Required reading will be assigned.
Practicum:Minimum 35 hours
In fulfilling the requirements of the Practicum, participants demonstrate growth in ministerial skills by documenting at least 30 hours of “hands on” service in their chosen ministry. The Practicum requires flexibility in its design and implementation. Assignments flow from context of specific classes.
Mentoring: Individual Contact: 16 hours
There will be group meetings and/or one-on-one exchanges with a skilled practitioner in the chosen ministry. The experienced minister will help participants focus and develop minsterial skills. Feedback on participants’ ministerial strengths and limitations will be provided.
Communication Skills Course
In a laboratory-like setting, participants repeatedly practice skills necessary for good communication in all aspects of ministry in the home, marketplace and church.
Third Year Formation Weekends
Designing Prayer: Participants explore ways to convene and lead others in prayer.
Parish Systems: building on concepts developed during the Family Dynamics weekend, participants will explore the complex web of family, parish, diocesan, socio-economic and cultural systems that impact all ministry. Concrete strategies for working in ministerial systems will be developed.
Collaborative Skills: Participants learn and develop leadership skills that will help them: plan effective meetings; empower others through delegation; and acquire conflict management skills.
Please note: These ministry tracks may also be taken as stand-alone courses for those not pursuing accreditation from the Pastoral Formation Institute (PFI). Please call the office for further information.
What is the program schedule?
Participants attend two-hour weekly sessions for 30 weeks, or 13 two-hour sesssions on Saturday each year for two years, which includes formation weekends and workshops as indicated for each of the three years.
How much does the program cost?
Tuition
Year I: $375 per year for weekely sessions + $500 for 3 weekends.
Year II: $375 per year for weekly sessions + $400 for two weekends and two workshops.
Year III: $770 Includes one Ministry Track course, Communication Skills Ministry course and three Formation Weekends.
Books are purchased separately by participants.
A limited amount of scholarship money is available and is awarded on a case-by-case and need basis. Please contact Estelle Peck, Associate Director of Adult Faith Fomation for more details. Please note that tuition is subject to change.
How do I apply?
Application can be made online, through your pastor or parish staff member, or by contacting us directly.
Is the Pastoral Formation Institute for me?
Criteria for Selection of Candidate:
integrated Christian faith and prayer life
regular participation in the sacramental life of the Church
evidence of involvement in ministry
openness to growth and to change
readiness for ongoing study of Scripture
tolerance of points of view other than one’s own
leadership ability
personal ability
emotional stability
stable family life
ability to work collaboratively
Sponsorship
Persons who seek leadership roles in ministry must be sponsored by a parish or diocesan agency so that they will have a community within which to exercise their ministry once the formation process is completed. Pastors, priests, deacons, parish and diocesan staff are encouraged to call forth men and women capable of leadership in ministry.
After I complete and submit my application, what’s next?
After your application is processed we will ask for two letters of reference, one from the pastor or diocesan department head, and one from another person active in local church ministry. All letters of reference are kept confidential. Reference forms will be provided for you to give to the references of your choice.
Personal Interview
Every applicant must have a personal interview with a designated person from the Diocesan Office of Adult Formation. Interviews take place in various locations around the diocese convenient to you and to the interviewer. You will be contacted by the interviewer.
How will I know I have been accepted?
Upon the receipt of your appplication, references, and the completion of the interview your file is reviewed by the Staff Director. If you are accepted into the Institute, you will be notified by mail. Along with you congratulatory letter of acceptance, you will also receive a contract and a request form for your first and second choices of class locations. Both of these must be completed, signed, and returned to the main office.
Do I have to pay the entire tuition by the beginning of the first session?
No, we have several payment methods and will work with you according to your needs. The tuition payment, however, must be completed by the end of the academic year.
Is there a certification process?
Yes, all participants who have successfully completed the Second Year are invited to a graduation ceremony held at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre. The Bishop awards graduates with a certificate of completion. Upon completion of the Third Year Track, an additional certificate is awarded for the particular ministry track completed. Your family and friends, along with your pastor and parish staff, are encouraged and welcomed to attend.
Is the Pastoral Formation Institute for me?
If .you have a strong desire to serve God as a ministerial leader in the Catholic Church;
If you feel called to expand the knowledge of your faith;
If you have a strong desire to deepen your understanding of the teachings of the Catholic Church and how they connect to your life and the world today;
If you yearn to acquire the skills/tools necessary to lead others into the Catholic faith;
If you want to understand the true meaning of living the gospel in your daily life;
If you desire to learn about the rich traditions of the Catholic Faith and foster an understanding of the renewed vision of Vatican II and its impact upon the world;
If you desire the knowledge and skills to help bring about justice and peace to this broken world as a well-formed disiciple of Jesus;
If you want to make a significant contribution to the Church in today’s world
Then perhaps the pastoral Formation Institue is for you!
For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact Estelle Peck, Associate Director of Adult Faith Formation.
We will post course offerings as they become available.
Estelle will be happy to answer your questions and help you discern if this Pastoral Institute is for you.
The Pastoral Formation Institute of the Diocese of Rockville Centre is accredited by the United States Conference of Catholic BishopsCommission on Certification and Accreditation. The USCCB on Certification and Accreditation Office is located at 3211 South Lake Drive, suite 317, St. Francis, WI 53235-3702. Telephone: 414-486-0139 e-mail: usccbcca@excepc.com |
