Center for Continuing Formation: Progams

St. Mary's Center for Continuing Formation offers and hosts a variety of continuing formation programs for priests in the spirit of the Bishops' new Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests. Among its options, the Center specializes in week-long programs for priests ordained five years or less.

Participants enjoy:

A private guest room with bath and all amenities, including private phone and computers for e-mail and the Internet.
A state-of-the-art conference facility with conference rooms, library, private oratory and chapel, dining room, outdoor terrace, and fitness center.
Take a virtual tour of the Center to see these features.

Continuing Formation Programs for Priests:

Conversations with the Newly Ordained
Walking into The Light — Realities of the Internet
Senior Priests Retreat — A Retreat for "Veterans of the Campaign"
The Bishops' Toolbox — Managing the Minefields
New Pastors Program
Day long seminars on liturgical and other topics

Other Center Programs:

Youth Theological Studies

Conversations with the Newly Ordained

We want to invite you to come to the Center for Continuing Formation for an overnight with schoolmates, to spend a day of reflection, refreshment, recommendations. This is a return to the place of your tragedies and triumphs, of your discernments and disillusions, of your formation and your foibles.

We, the faculty and administration, continue to think that you have learned from us. Now we want to learn from you. We want to learn about your experience as you entered into priestly ministry; we want to learn about the issues that blindsided you, about the items that baffled you, about the moments that you brought you joy. And we want to learn from you how we might make entry into presbyteral ministry easier and better for the men who will follow you into the priesthood.

The details for our time together are as follows:

Date	April 24-25, 2012
Cost	No fee is exacted; a donation to help cover our costs would be appreciated.
Registration Deadline	April 19, 2012
To register, contact	Center for Continuing Formation St. Mary's Seminary and University 5400 Roland Avenue Baltimore, MD 21210 410.864.4102 (phone) gjones@stmarys.edu (e-mail) or Download a Registration Form here.

Walking into The Light — Realities of the Internet

A workshop for bishops, vicars general, Episcopal vicars, vicars and formators, including vocation directors, rectors and priest directors of continuing formation. Sponsored by: St. Mary's Seminary & University, Center for Continuing Formation, and Vatican II Institute for Clergy Formation

Internet pornography quickly has exploded into a destructive force impacting marriages, the workplace and even those ministering in the Church. Walking into the Light: Realities of the Internet will cover the why to the how, prevention and treatment, and legal and workplace considerations. This workshop was first offered to the bishops of the United States in collaboration with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Updated and expanded, this is the first time the full workshop will be presented in the eastern United States.

Date	May 1-2, 2012
Cost	$200 or $85 for program only without overnight room and meals
Registration Deadline	April 26, 2012
To register, contact	Center for Continuing Formation St. Mary's Seminary and University 5400 Roland Avenue Baltimore, MD 21210 410.864.4102 (phone) gjones@stmarys.edu (e-mail) or Download a Registration Form here.

Senior Priests Retreat - A Retreat for "Veterans of the Campaign"

An annual three or four day (optional) retreat for priests retired, semi-retired or ordained more than 40 years.

Fr. Dominic Maruca, S.J., Director

We hope that your schedule will permit you to accept our Lord's invitation to "Come aside to a place apart: rest awhile and be refreshed" (Mark 6, 31). Since a retreat may be described as a "Feast of Friendship" with Christ and with our fellow-priests, why not invite someone you think will enjoy this fraternal experience?

Date	May 14-18, 2012
Cost	$350 for three days or $420 for (optional) four day retreat
Registration Deadline	May 5, 2012
To register, contact	Center for Continuing Formation St. Mary's Seminary and University 5400 Roland Avenue Baltimore, MD 21210 410.864.4102 (phone) gjones@stmarys.edu (e-mail) or Download a Registration Form here.

The Bishops' Toolbox

Program Topics	Each semester the St. Mary's Center presents an overnight conference for bishops, their vicars and their delegates on important items of church leadership and management. Managing the Minefields will address two issues: the problems associated with reconfiguring parishes, and the policies and procedures for dealing with troublesome priests. Download the Brochure Download the Program Presenters: Bishop Mark Bartchak Bishop Frans Daneels Msgr Robert Deeley
Date	September 17-18, 2012
Cost	$350 per person including one night stay Payment due September 10, 2012
Registration Deadline	September 10, 2012
To register, contact	Center for Continuing Formation St. Mary's Seminary and University 5400 Roland Avenue Baltimore MD 21210 410.864.4102 (phone) gjones@stmarys.edu (e-mail) or Download a Registration Form here

New Pastors Program

Program Topics	The Pastor as a Person The Pastor as Leader in Communion The Pastor as Steward The Pastor as Priest
Date	November 4-8, 2012
Cost	$850 for the four night stay beginning Sunday Nov. 4, departure Thursday Nov. 8 afternoon Payment in full due October 31, 2012
Registration Deadline	October 25, 2012
To register, contact	Center for Continuing Formation St. Mary's Seminary and University 5400 Roland Avenue Baltimore MD 21210 410.864.4102 (phone) gjones@stmarys.edu (e-mail) or Download a Registration Form here

Scripture Seminars

Date	Dates pending

Youth Theological Studies

The Center offers a unique Theological Studies Program for high school juniors selected for their capacity to do college level work in theology. The class meets one evening weekly in the fall term for three college credits. See Youth Theological Studies for more information.