Mentorship Program
"...to equip the Saints for the work of ministry." Ephesians 4:12
Program Information
What is the Mentorship Program?
Who should apply?
Program Outcomes
Time Commitment
Cost & Funding
Application Process
The Mentorship Program equips lay people to confidently and fruitfully share their faith through friendship and deep investment in others.
Training is practical and hands-on, teaching key habits and skills for intentional evangelization through individual accompaniment. Participants gain a common language and experience with likeminded leaders from across the Archdiocese.
The Mentorship Program best serves those who:
- Already strive to help others know and love Jesus.
- Desire to grow in the skills and habits of person-to-person evangelization.
- Desire to deepen their relationships with Jesus through a commitment to daily personal prayer.
- Are willing to make sacrifices to prioritize personal growth during the program.
- Are willing to develop new habits to become more fruitful in sharing their faith.
Key program outcomes include:
- Deepening of your personal prayer life and skills for discernment
- Knowledge of the process of evangelization
- Greater confidence in sharing the Gospel message with others
- Growth in the ability to teach and mentor others
- Greater understanding of your unique gifts and how God is calling you to use them
- Strengthened ability to lead evangelization initiatives in your parish and community
The Mentorship Program is a two-year process. Learning takes place through retreats, monthly large group seminars, reading, and discussion. Small group Mentorship Circles also meet monthly.
To engage participants throughout the Archdiocese, cohorts meet in both the metro and rural area.
Download a general Year 1 & 2 schedule of the seminars, retreats, and topics covered in the program.
We ask that each participant contribute $450.00* per year for the cost of the Mentorship Program ($900 total for two years).
The Archdiocese covers the remainder of the cost for all retreat fees, required reading, meals, instructor and mentor stipends, and additional program materials.
Financial help is available if needed.
*Spouses participating in the Mentorship program will receive a $100 discount per person ($350 per year). Staff at Archdiocesan Catholic Schools will receive a discount of ½ off ($225 per year).
The Mentorship Program is a significant commitment, and the number of participants we can accept each year is limited. The application process helps facilitate a mutual discernment.
The process consists of:
- Online Application
- Pastor's Recommendation
- Interview (as necessary)
The application process opens on February 1, 2024. The deadline to apply is May 15, 2024.
Applicants will be contacted by program coordinators within 1-2 weeks after receipt of both their online application and pastor’s recommendation. Depending on the volume of applications, not all applicants may be offered an interview.
FAQs
Deep personal formation takes time, energy, and dedication. This is especially true when it comes to developing the habits necessary for person-to-person evangelization, which are very counter-cultural for most Catholics. It also requires some willingness to sacrifice other commitments for the sake of being equipped. We have designed the process to provide a transformative experience while minimizing the travel, financial resources, and time commitment required.
The goal of the Mentorship Program is to equip lay people to confidently and fruitfully make disciples through friendship and accompaniment of specific individuals. We aim to provide a universal framework for relational evangelization and a "toolkit" of skills that can be applied in the specific relationship and unique circumstances of each participant's life.
The program is designed to walk with each participant, helping them listen to the Lord to determine where and how they are called to do this: in family life, the workplace, relationships within the local community, parish evangelization efforts, etc. In short, you will be prepared to discern and live your personal vocation as a missionary disciple.
If there is another priest who knows you very well, they may fill out the recommendation, however, we do need your pastor to fill out the form to the best of his ability. This communication and collaboration facilitates important relationship-building between you, your, pastor, and the Archdiocesan offices.
We recognize that there are circumstances that may necessitate missing a session (e.g., illness or caring for a sick family member, family wedding or funeral, etc.). We ask that all those who miss a session “catch up” by listening to the audio recordings of the session and reviewing all PowerPoint slides and handouts posted on our project management website. Participants who miss more than 3 sessions in a year may not be eligible to receive a certificate for program completion.
We believe that both volunteers and parish staff can benefit from the practical, hands-on training that the program offers. If you have questions about whether the program is a good fit, please contact any member of the Parish Support Team.
At this time, we are not considering a daytime option. We have established Saturdays as the day for regular gatherings in order to accommodate those who work full-time in other settings.