Leadership training programs are making a positive impact across the Diocese of Pittsburgh, helping young adults reach out to needy families in the South Hills and strengthening parish pastoral councils.
Our Campaign for The Church Alive! will fund the Good Leaders, Good Shepherds program for priests, a related course for laity called Tending the Talents, and additional pastoral education and training in parishes.
Father Bob Miller, pastor of St. Benedict the Abbot Parish in McMurray, says Good Leaders, Good Shepherds was worth the 18-month time investment.
“I learned valuable skills that I’m applying to my ministry every day,” Father Miller said. “Our pastoral council is functioning superbly, and we’re building solid teams like our young adults who work with new leaders from St. Louise de Marillac and St. Thomas More parishes.”
Matt Kaufman of St. Louise de Marillac helped to write the sponsorship document for the group, South Hills Alive, which runs service projects like repairing the homes of disadvantaged families.
“The process has helped create a foundation that not only sets in motion our current program, but will help future generations carry on what we’ve started,” Kaufman said. “It allowed the group to form a vision and reach out to more people.”
The tools being used by priests and lay people will be vital as the Diocese of Pittsburgh embarks On Mission for The Church Alive!, the new, dynamic planning initiative designed to help all our faith communities grow more vibrant and alive.
Father Aaron Kriss, pastor of Holy Martyrs Parish in Tarentum and administrator of Holy Family in Creighton, is using the skills and techniques he’s learned to identify new pastoral council members.
“We’re all called by virtue of our baptism to be of service,” Father Kriss said. “We all have these talents and gifts, and in the future we’re going to need as many people as possible to get involved, especially deacons and lay leaders.”
Other topics from the Catholic Leadership Institute program include giving effective feedback, conflict resolution, problem-solving and decision-making. In six years, 87 priests have received the training, with two-dozen more expected to begin the program this fall.
“One of the strengths of Good Leaders, Good Shepherds is learning how to create strong teams that can move past divergent points of view,” said Father Joseph Mele, diocesan secretary for leadership development. “We need to make a connection with people, and this helps leaders better make that connection.
“The program honors what we mean by the dignity of work and the biblical approach to work,” Father Mele said. “Our priests receive guidance on hiring, giving feedback to staff in a way that is constructive and helpful, and delegating with confidence.”
Bishop David Zubik, who serves as a member of the Catholic Leadership Institute’s Episcopal Advisory Board, initiated the training.
“I can testify to the high quality, prayerful and responsible formation ministry the Institute provides to the larger church,” Bishop Zubik said. “I feel the program is another way for me to demonstrate my heartfelt affection and hope for my priests in their valued pastoral and priestly ministry.”
The Tending the Talents program for laity includes discovering your own leadership behavior style, creating a vision for a role, time management skills, and how to recruit, engage and develop others.
Sharon Hachman, director for lay ministries in the diocese, said 59 parish staff and pastoral council members across the diocese have gone through Tending the Talents, with many more to follow.
Very Rev. Mark Eckman, episcopal vicar for clergy personnel, participated in Good Leaders, Good Shepherds while serving at St. Sylvester and St. Thomas More parishes.
“The tools they give you are invaluable,” Father Eckman said. “I’ve spoken with the priests who took the program with me, and they’ve benefited from building teams, giving feedback to staff and managing their time.”
“These programs work well in the business world,” Father Miller said. “Why should we settle for anything less in the Church? God’s people deserve the best.”
