Ongoing Formation of Clergy

Vicar for Clergy » 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

Word on Fire Institute

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.

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/

Rev. Felix Just, SJ
Coordinator of Ongoing Formation

Office of the Vicar for Clergy
Archdiocese of Los Angeles
3424 Wilshire Boulevard, 5th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90010-2241

Phone: (213) 637-7041
Fax: (213) 637-6607
Email: FrFJust@la-archdiocese.org