program, due in no small part to
the blended format.
“The format of being able
to split the program between
summers and online courses
is making it possible for me
to be here,” says Fr. Jeffrey
Dobbs, Director of Spiritual Life
at Immaculate Heart of Mary
Seminary in Winona, Minnesota.
“Otherwise, I would not be in this
program right now because of the
An “Organic” Format
demands as far as the number of
“The STL program at Sacred
priests in our diocese.”
Heart was and continues to be a
The blended format not only
truly fantastic and well organized
is about making this level of
program of academic study and
continuing education for priests
spiritual growth,” says Msgr.
possible. It has other benefits.
Mark Merdian, pastor of St. Pius
“I am going to have the
X Parish in Rock Island, Illinois,
unique opportunity to take the
who is also Episcopal Vicar
things I learn over the summer,
Fr. Joseph Kim: The alternative STL “fulfilled all the needs of our
for Health Care and Episcopal
ideas and new thoughts, and
diocese at the time we really needed it.”
Vicar for Young Clergy in the
test them out and still be in
Diocese of Peoria. “The priests
contact with professors. So there
in the program felt very much welcomed to Detroit and
is an ongoing theological reflection as well as a pastoral
the seminary by the faculty and staff. They couldn’t have
application,” says Fr. Joseph Kim, Director of Vocations
been more hospitable in making sure our questions were
and Director of Evangelization for the Diocese of San Jose,
answered and our needs were met.”
California. “I think that this is a brilliant way to combine
This year’s assemblage of STL students is the largest
learning and new initiatives with practical application in an
number of new students in the ten-year history of the
organic way.”
Initially, the Congregation
has restricted this new blended
program to priests only. Being
the first of its kind in the
Church, the Congregation wants
to be prudent and evaluate this
new format before opening
enrollment to a larger number of
students. If the first impressions
are any indication, the program
is off to an excellent start.
Inspired and Grateful
Dr. Ralph Martin taught the seminar “Stages of Spiritual Growth” during the
summer session. “What I have found most helpful,” one STL student says, “is
to be with world-renowned professors who are at the top of their game.”
Many of the summer resident students expressed
surprise and delight at how the program combines rigorous
academic work with an emphasis on spiritual development,
particularly their own. Father Dobbs especially appreciates
the “great spiritual underpinnings” of the program and says
that “the STL program is really a call to receive anew the
graces of the Holy Spirit, how the Holy Spirit is equipping
the Church and us individually as priests.
“The whole program has really been inspiring to me.”
The success of the initial summer session has ignited
hope that the seminary’s mission to equip priests and lay
ecclesial ministers for the New Evangelization will reach
more people.
“One of the things that all of us noticed in the program
was the spirit of camaraderie and