The Preaching Institute is designed for Catholic priests and deacons who desire to excel in making the Word of God a dynamic Presence in the lives of their people. The Institute also fosters the development of the preacher’s spiritual life through on-going reflection on the role and practice of preaching in the context of pastoral ministry.
Introduction to the Institute begins with a three-day workshop entitled “Perspectives on Preaching.” This program provides the framework to explore strategies that work best in four distinct types of preaching: Evangelization, Catechesis, Theological Argument and Homiletic Preaching. The emphasis of the workshop is on enhancing one’s homiletic skills and insights.
Upcoming “Perspectives on Preaching” Workshops September 14-17, 2014
Follow-up “Teamwork Sessions” focus on pastoral settings, liturgical seasons or special occasions. These sessions open with a dinner presentation on a Sunday night and conclude on Monday evening. These “mini-workshops” provide an opportunity to share personal successes and challenges in preaching the Word. Participants will assist and support each other in developing homilies related to the workshop’s topic.
2014-15 “Teamwork Sessions”
Sentiment or Sacrament?: Preaching at Weddings—November 2-3, 2014
Homeboys, Drugs and St. Dismas: Preaching to Inmates—January 11-12,2015
The Cross and the Stone: The Seasons of Lent and Easter—February 8-9, 2014
The Director
Fr. Jim Schmitmeyer is a priest of the Diocese of Amarillo. He serves as the pastor of St, Hyacinth Church, Amarillo, Texas and Immaculate Conception Church, Vega, Texas. He has authored several books including
Presiding and Preaching at the Rites (Alba House) and
Preacher in a Hard Hat: A Guide to Preaching for Pastors and Everyone Else (Chalice Press). He received Best New Author citation from the Catholic Press Association for his book on rural ministry,
A Calendar of Care (Liturgy Training Publications)
.
Fr. Schmitmeyer served as homiletic columnist for
Today’s Parish from 2004-2009. He holds a Masters in Bible from the Athenaeum of Ohio and degrees in Speech and Communication Studies from Purdue and Northwestern Universities. A past instructor of homiletics at Mt. St. Mary Seminary, Cincinnati, he continues to offer homiletic workshops throughout the country