"[Priests] need encouragement, genuine appreciation, a new deepening in all aspects of formation with the purpose of examining their actions, and a re-awakening of the motivation underlying the sacred ministry. They also need to reflect on: pastoral methods in light of essentials, the communion among priests of the presbyterate, friendship with the Bishop, surmounting any sense of exhaustion, frustration and solitude and, finally, rediscovering the font of priestly spirituality." (Directory on the Ministry and Life of Priests, Congregation for the Clergy, 1994, no. 94)

For Priests at Mid-Life or in Transition

The Basic Plan for Ongoing Formation of Diocesan Priests (USCCB, 2001) addresses four areas that impact a priest at mid-life or beyond:

1. Physical: Body changes make it clear that they are no longer young. Such a realization can strike with great force. It is a time when illness or disability can readily become part of life's journey.
2. Psychological: A sense of limitation and mortality, if not denied but faced directly and honestly, wil inevitably lead to certain psychological processes. For example, one grieves the loss of what could have been and even what was. One re-evaluates personal commitments and investments and strives for greater authenticity. Finally, disconnections triggered by the aging process resurface concerns about intimacy and connection.
3. Ministerial and Pastoral: Ecclesiastically, those in later midlife years may have "plateau-ed out." In other words, they probably have the position, responsibility and recognition that will remain the same until they retire.
4. Spiritual: Issues raised by the season of midlife resonate with faith concerns:
   limitation and mortality with the promise of eternal life, grief with detachment, authenticity with surrender and commitment. Midlife for priests is also a season of epiphany. If one has remained on the course of an intentional spiritual journey, one stops and takes stock of what has been. Inevitably, the workings of grace become manifest.

Our Design

"Stoking the Fire" begins with an introspective look at the sabbaticants' personality makeup and continues throughout the four weeks in an intentional, integrated format:

• (Re)discovery of preferences for thinking and acting (Myers-Briggs Type Index)
• Intensive journaling to retrace struggles, blessings and motivations throughout life and ministry
• Availability of counselors and spiritual directors
• Health screening and meeting with health professional to review results. Food and exercise choices discussed.
• Priestly leadership
• The priest within the context of his presbyterate or religious community
• Creation of a personal growth plan moving forward from the mini-sabbatical
• Facilitated conversations on the life and ministry of priests
• Optional weekend outings to nearby destinations of historical note
• Homily preparation guided meditation for first Sunday back in parish
• Closing liturgy and celebration tangibly mark the transition back into ministry

The Setting

Located among the peaceful rolling hills of southern Indiana, Saint Meinrad Archabbey is a community of Benedictine monks that has remained faithful to its commitment to daily Mass and prayer since its founding in 1854. The seminary has been educating men for priesthood nearly as long.

Amenities and Activities

• Private rooms and bath facilities
• Wi-fi Internet access
• Workout facilities
• Library and video library borrowing privileges
• Satellite TV and DVD player 
• Golf and other nearby sports and leisure activities 
• Opportunities for communal prayer with monastic community 
• Daily Mass, reflection and prayer with fellow priests
• Counselors, confessors, spiritual directors
• Local outings and dining

Schedule: July 8 - August 4, 2013

Week 1: July 8 - 13, 2013 - Understanding Self
Rediscovering your motivations: Intellectual and emotional processes
Intensive journaling: Identifying the connections
Attending to your physical health (including blood panel draw and results) 

Week 2: July 14 - 20, 2013 - Forming Healthy Habits
Meetings with spiritual directors and counselors
The spiritual and physical implications of our diet choices
Celebrating the joy of priestly ministry
Optional weekend outing: Historic French Lick and West Baden, Indiana

Week 3: July 21 - 27, 2013 - Living Simply, Leading Pastorally
Movie and spiritual conference on simplicity
Group book discussion on Robert Greenleaf's Servant Leadership
Optional weekend outing: Historic New Harmony, Indiana

Week 4: July 28 - August 4 - Re-Entry
Designing your personal growth plan
Presbyteral theology: Becoming a man of communion
Homily preparation for the return home
Closing liturgy and celebration

Dates

• July 8 - August 4, 2013

Cost 

• $3,450 covers room, board and program fees 
• Financial aid is available 
• A blood draw is conducted by Saint Meinrad's Health Service department. Fees associated with the blood panel tests will be submitted to the sabbaticant's insurance. 
• Optional weekend outings and airport transfers (if applicable) are extra.

Deadline

• Financial aid application deadline is May 1, 2013
• Registration deadline is June 1, 2013
• Registration is limited to eight participants

Registration

If requesting financial aid, please download, complete and return the  downloadable registration form to:

Institute for Priests and Presbyterates
200 Hill Drive
St. Meinrad, IN 47577

Or fax to: (812) 357-6283

If not requesting financial aid, fill out the online registration form, or complete and return the downloadable registration form as above.