Ongoing Formation of Clergy
Welcome to the Ongoing Formation page! Please, check this page regularly as we try to update its contents every month. Please click here, for information on policies and guidelines concerning ongoing formation for priests in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
Summer 2024 Programs at St. John’s Seminary – SAVE THE DATES
Ongoing Formation Days: June 4-7, 2024
(Tuesday dinner – Friday lunch)
Topic: “Priests and Parishes in a Missionary Age”
Presenters: Teams from the Office of New Evangelization and Parish Life and from the Office of Religious Education
For more information, click here. (PDF Version)
To register, click here.
Priests’ Retreat Week: June 10-14, 2024
(Monday dinner – Friday lunch)
Theme: “Solitude and Communion in Christ Jesus”
Director: Msgr. Austin Doran, Retired Priest of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
For more information, click here. (PDF Version)
To register, click here.
Ongoing Formation Opportunities for Priests
The following have onsite programs specifically for priests and/or religious:
Continuing Education at CTU
Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, Illinois
Continuing Education at FST
Franciscan School of Theology at the University of San Diego, California
Institute for Continuing Theological Education (ICTE)
Pontifical North American College, Rome, Italy
Institute for Ongoing Clergy Formation
The Seminaries of Saint Paul, Minnesota
Institute for Priests and Presbyterates
Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, St. Meinrad, Indiana
Institute for Priestly Formation
Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska
Institute of Pastoral Studies
Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois
Jesuit School of Theology
Santa Clara University campus in Berkeley, California
John S. Marten Program in Homiletics and Liturgics
University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana
Centre for Biblical Formation
Jerusalem, Israel
Tantur Ecumenical Institute
Jerusalem, Israel
See also a Bibliography on Priestly Life and Ministry
Online Pastoral and Theological Programs
Augustine Institute Short Courses
Formed: Catholic Streaming Service
Learn25 Video & Audio Lectures & Courses
McGrath Institute for Church Life (Notre Dame)
The Liturgical Institute – Online Courses
University of Dayton Online: Pastoral Ministry & Theological Studies
Retreat Opportunities for Priests
The following have retreats scheduled throughout the year:
Cardinal Timothy Manning House of Prayer for Priests
Los Angeles, California
Jesuit Retreat Center of Los Altos
Los Altos, California
New Clairvaux Abbey
Vina, California
Redemptorist Renewal Center
Tucson, Arizona
Sacred Heart Jesuit Retreat House
Sedalia, Colorado
Santa Sabina Center
San Rafael, California
St. Andrew’s Abbey
Valyermo, California
You may also consider a retreat on your own, perhaps in the company of pre-planned reading material, a journal for reflection, and/or regular chats with a spiritual guide.
- For a wide variety of audio or video programs, see Learn 25: Religious Retreats.
- For short books, see the “A Retreat with…” series by St. Anthony Messenger Press.
- For retreat centers in our area, see Retreat Pages from ADLA Directory 2020-2021
Sabbaticals
The following sites contain information on sabbatical experiences offered around the country and around the world. (Please note that archdiocesan funds for sabbaticals do not cover travel expenses.)
Center for Continuing Formation: Sabbaticals
St. Mary’s Seminary & University, Baltimore, MD
Ecce Homo Pilgrim House
Jerusalem, Israel
Hesburgh Renewal Program
Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, Illinois
Jesuit School of Theology Renewal Program
Santa Clara University campus in Berkeley, California
Mercy Center Sabbatical Programs
Mercy Center, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Ministry to Ministers Sabbatical Program
Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio, Texas
Springbank Retreat Sabbaticals
Springbank Retreat Center, Kingstree, SC
Tantur Ecumenical Institute
Jerusalem, Israel
For an ‘out there’ sabbatical, read what one priest did.
Homiletic Resources
Daily and Sunday Readings, from the USCCB:
*Readings Calendar
*Readings Podcasts
*Reflection Videos
Sunday Homily Preparation Program, from the IDA
*English (weekly recordings uploaded by Tuesday, to help you prepare for the following Sunday)
*Español (grabaciones disponible los Martes, para preparar la homilía del siguiente Domingo)
Other Preaching Resources:
*Basic Steps for Biblical Preaching
*Preach: The Catholic Homilies Podcast
*Resources for Preaching
*Roman Catholic Lectionary for Mass
*Bibliography for Lectionary-based Preaching
*Bibliography for Lectionaries and Related Publications
Language Acquisition/Accent Modification
English
Teachers and Preachers (TAP)
A program that allows priests to work individually with Sisters located throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, with particular attention given to the Sunday homily.
For information, contact Louis Velasquez at 213-631-1485
Spanish
Year-round programs offered in Puebla, Mexico
LIVIT Spanish Immersion Center
For more information, click here.
An online article listing other good choices:
11 Great Spanish Schools in Mexico (2022)
https://www.secondhalftravels.com/spanish-schools-mexico/
Office of the Vicar for Clergy
Archdiocese of Los Angeles
3424 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90010-2241
Phone: (213) 637-7284
Fax(213) 637-6607
Email: VFCO@la-archdiocese.org