CATFE This month seventeen CATFE members from thirteen Catholic seminaries and theological schools met on January 20 for a dinner meeting during the ATFE Convocation held in The St. Paul hotel in Minnesota. The conversations at ATFE among Catholic members and across traditions focused on the theme: "Across the Divides," playing on the the geographical position of the Twin Cities along the North American Continental Divides. CATFE member Barbara Sutton of St. John's School of Theology, Collegeville delivered a tone-setter at the beginning of the gathering, encouraging us to  reflect not only on the geographical and physical divides, but also the social, economic, political and spiritual divides that are a part of the Twin Cities and our current ministries.

At the previous ATFE Biennial, CATFE members from Minnesota, along with other theological schools close to the region, had offered to host ATFE Biennial 2017 in the Twin Cities. Fr. Allen Kuss and Sr. Charlotte Berres, CSJ from St. Paul Seminary were instrumental in the preparation and success of this endeavor.

At the Catholic caucus gathering, it was announced that Barbara Sutton was finished with her term as part of the CATFE Steering Committee, and Kathleen Castillo of Christ the King Seminary, NY was elected. Fr. Rodel Balagtas and Sr. Leanne Hubbard, SND both from St. John's Seminary, CA will remain on the Steering Committee as they host the next CATFE convocation 2018 in California. There will be an email going out to all Catholic member and non-member schools inviting input on the timely topics to explore together at this meeting.

CATFE will be meeting as a caucus of ATFE at 6:30PM on Friday, January 20th during the Biennial Consultation in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The Association for Theological Field Education is accepting proposals for break-out sessions at our 34th Biennial Consultation in Saint Paul, MN January 19-21, 2017.  Our theme will be “Across the Divides,” but proposals will be accepted for any topic pertaining to our practice as theological field educators. 
There are three continental divides in MN and three rivers in the Twin Cities that divide.  This geographical contour provides a metaphor for the challenge of addressing our social context.  We confront many divides, such as those of culture, language, race, gender, privilege, income, clergy/laity, technology, ideology, and theological stance.  Our Consultation will encourage us to reflect together on ways to cross these and other divides and so to strengthen the work we do.  We will explore ways to help our students to cross divides and to embrace difference in their places of ministry.  If you have experience or expertise in one of these areas, or in other areas related to our work as field educators, the Steering Committee invites you to submit a break-out session proposal for consideration. 
Break-out sessions at ATFE Consultation can take six different forms as outlined below.  Please send proposals by February 20, 2016 to the Chair of the ATFE Steering Committee:  Joseph Bush, Wesley Theological Seminary, 4500 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC 20016. jbush@wesleyseminary.edu
 
PROGRAM SESSION DESCRIPTIONS
 
CLINIC
An extended experiential learning event for theory enrichment and skill development.
                                                                                                                       

COLLOQUY
A conversation with a designated moderator in which all contribute to the announced discussion topic out of their own experience.
 

IMMERSION
An extended experiential learning experience in the context of a particular ministry, which effectively uses field education pedagogies.
 

OPEN SPACE WORKSHOP
An opportunity for any ATFE member to address any topic of interest. Topics are participant-initiated and announced during the Consultation.
 

SEMINAR
A presentation made on an announced topic with opportunity for participants to dialogue. A supportive environment for mutually exploring and developing specified skills through application and practice.
 

WORKING GROUP
A ‘round-table’ gathering in which colleagues focus upon a significant question that is of continuing concern to members for the purpose of seeking insights, drafting proposals for research, standards or continued study, and defining new approaches.
 

The Religious Education Association, a multi-faith organization made up of professors, researchers and senior practitioners in the field of religious education announces its Annual Meeting Call for Papers for a gathering to be held in Pittsburgh, PA from November 4-6, 2016.

Our meeting theme is: Generating Hope: The Future of the Teaching Profession in a Globalized World. We will be accepting proposals through the end of April. More information is available here:

http://www.religiouseducation.net/rea2016/

You need not be a member of the REA to respond to our call, but if your proposal is accepted in the blind peer-review you will need to become a member prior to the meeting.

We welcome proposals which focus on this theme from a wide range of fields, and we ask that you share this information widely.

Full time three-year appointment with possibility for continuation.  Rank open.
 
Requirements:

• Doctorate (Ph.D., Th.D., STD, D.Min. or equivalent), appropriate teaching and professional experience.
• Work with students in MDiv and MTS programs, including candidates for chaplaincy and candidates for ordination to priesthood.
• Strongly preferred Spanish-English bilingual.
• Roman Catholic.
• With demonstrated multicultural understanding, shown in research and scholarship, and professional experience in pastoral ministry.
• Knowledge of Christian and Catholic tradition and practice, particularly the Franciscan tradition.

 
Position has:

• Teaching component, two (2) courses plus supervision of ministry placements per semester.

 
Applicant will be expected to participate with other faculty and ministerial professionals in Ministry Seminar I-IV, and meet with supervisors of student placements. The applicant must be able to structure programs following professional and Church norms for ministry preparation. The position requires full participation in the academic, pastoral, and communal life of the school, including student advising, liturgical participation, and committee responsibilities. FST has a strong commitment to diversity and seeks a broad spectrum of well-qualified candidates.
 
Applications will include: cover letter, c.v. and three letters of recommendation.
Deadline for applications: February 15, 2016
 
Send application to: jtaele@fst.edu
Franciscan School of Theology
4050 Mission Avenue
Oceanside, CA 92057
www.fst.edu

Taking a frank look at unfinished business of Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord (USCCB , 20015), about fifty individuals gathered in June, 2015 at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. Participants from ministerial education, research, canon law, and church leadership came to “Toward Canonical Consideration for Lay Ecclesial Ministry. “ This was the latest in a series of major seminars on Lay Ecclesial Ministry (LEM) held at Collegeville involving leaders in lay ministry and national organizations. Since providing major influence on Co-Workers, the seminars have further articulated theological foundations for vocation and authorization, and recommended steps for advancing excellence in lay ecclesial ministry. http://www.csbsju.edu/sot/lifelong-learning-and-events/collegeville-national-symposium-on-lay-ecclesial-ministry.

Barbara Sutton, Associate Dean of Formation and Outreach at St. John’s School of Theology and Seminary at Collegeville, substantially planned and led this Symposium. She worked also on the 2011 Collegeville Symposium, and contributed a chapter to its resulting In the Name of the Church, William J. Cahoy, ed. Barbara is on CATFE’s leadership team. Thanks to Barbara’s invitation to CATFE, I represented CATFE, to continue its traditional influence on pastoral formation, as in Co-Workers and early editions of the Program of Priestly Formation (USCCB).

Our day and a half gathering was intense and productive. We examined closely the bishops’ vision in Co-Workers for authorization for lay ecclesial ministers with Lynda Robitaille, Ph.D., JCD. Dr. Robitaille is a canon lawyer who has worked before with the Collegeville Lay Ecclesial Ministry Symposium. She noted that the Bishops had recognized in Co-Workers, that canonical authorization is a must for lay ecclesial ministers to take their appropriate place in the church’s ministry.

Mary Gautier, Ph.D., the primary researcher at CARA for research on Authorization of Lay Ecclesial Ministers for Ministry, provided a nuanced presentation of reliable nationwide data, enabling us to take stock of growth, and acknowledge too that Authorization takes place in just some dioceses, most often for directors of religious education. We next met in small groups to more deeply interpret the meaning of this data. One important revelation to me was the extent to which resources to realize the Bishops’ vision for lay ecclesial ministry and authorization were redirected to respond to clergy abuse accusations.  

We then engaged in a planning process that yielded priority goals and action steps to address unfinished work related to that vision. I highly recommend you check out this process.  This method was given us as a “tool to use at home” http://www.csbsju.edu/documents/sot/events/co-workers/facilitating%20a%20conversation-%2010th%20anniversary.pdf

Praxis became method as we repeated the process the next day. Joined by additional individuals, from Minnesota churches far and near, we facilitated their active reflection on the meaning of Co-Workers in the local church. Their discussions yielded hopes and plans to bring Co-Workers to the parish level. Their input also helped refine national goals and action steps. The symposium concluded by celebrating the Co-Workers tenth anniversary with prayer, followed by a luncheon honoring H. Richard McCord whose address on the Co-Workers’ anniversary was a reflection on its journey from past to present.

Kathleen Murphy Castillo
Director, Theological Field Education
Christ the King Seminary, East Aurora, NY
 

The School of Ministry at the University of Dallas, in Irving, Texas, seeks applicants for a full time, tenure track faculty position as ASSISTANT PROFESSOR & DIRECTOR OF FIELD EDUATION in its graduate masters’ degree programs as well as its undergraduate Pastoral Ministry program. 

Qualified applicants will hold a terminal degree in pastoral care, practical theology, ministry or related field; or be ABD in one of these fields. Highly qualified candidates with masters degrees may also be considered. A thorough knowledge of and appreciation for Catholic theological tradition and pastoral practice, including contemporary theology and practice of ministry, is essential. Successful applicants will have significant experience in teaching adults and undergraduates, an active interest in pursuing research, and a demonstrated record of success in ministerial formation, pastoral supervision, and field education for pastoral ministry. Teaching competency in another related field of theological and ministerial studies such as pastoral care and counseling, Catholic social teaching, ministerial ethics, cross cultural ministry, etc, and pastoral experience in a Catholic setting are highly preferred. Experience with online teaching is desirable.
The School of Ministry at the University of Dallas equips its students with the critical skills needed for theological reflection in a contemporary context of Catholic tradition, as well as the pastoral skills for service in the Catholic Church.  For more information on the School of Ministry go to www.udallas.edu/ministry. 

For a full description of the position and to apply see the University of Dallas Human Resources University of Dallas Human Resources webpage. To be considered candidates should submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae, transcripts, and contact information for three references addressed to Dr. Daniel Luby, Director of Graduate Programs, School of Ministry by December 22.