Institute for Homiletics

Renew Your

Helping Catholic Preaching to Flourish.

When you see the video you will see how Preaching for Encounter can enrich your life as a preacher!

And you will be pleased to learn that we have room for a few more priests from anywhere in the U.S. to participate in the upcoming Preaching for Encounter program. Priests from the Catholic dioceses and religious orders are welcome to apply. Interviews and onboarding begins in April and our first retreat together is June 23-25, 2026 in Mundelein, IL.

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The Purpose of Catholic Preaching:
Lead Our People into an Encounter with God

The cry goes up, “Better preaching!” But what is “better preaching”?

Effective homilies bring preachers and hearers closer to Jesus. At the Institute for Homiletics, we put preaching and evangelization together.

We help clergy to preach in a way that connects with their listeners so they say, “You helped me find God.” We offer online preaching resources. We specialize in in-person interactions through workshops, convocations, and our Preaching for Encounter program. We help hearers to listen and give feedback.

Connect with us today to learn how Catholic preaching can thrive. Together, we will glorify God for helping the Sunday homily to flourish.

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Discover What’s New at the Institute for Homiletics

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Board Chair Jim Moroney III Receives Honor of a Lifetime

James Moroney III (Jim), the Chair of the Board of the Institute for Homiletics, received one of the highest recognitions in the Catholic community when...

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Congratulations to 43 Graduates of Preaching for Encounter Program!

Congratulations to our 2024 Preaching for Encounter program graduates! In February 2026, these priests and deacons completed 20 months of highly interactive coaching and study....

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Newsletter Archive Now Available

Want to look back at something in one of our newsletters? We are just beginning to share results from our Preaching for Encounter, resources for...

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Our Latest Inspiration for Sunday Preaching

Scripture Study for

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Dianne Bergant, C.S.A.

Ezekiel uses bodily resuscitation as a metaphor for Israel’s reestablishment after its exile in a foreign land. The fact that the metaphor describes reconstitution of... Read More

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What Church Leaders Are Saying

About the Institute for Homiletics

The Institute for Homiletics has been very helpful to me personally. I am participating in the current cohort of the Preaching for Encounter program. It has helped me to re-focus on the purpose of preaching: to encounter Christ myself as I read the scriptures and prepare the homily.

I have especially enjoyed our small peer group meetings and the opportunity those give me to personally share with my priests about something as essential as preaching.

Bishop Greg Kelly

The Institute for Homiletics is a bright light shining within the Church. Since signing up for the [Preaching for Encounter] program, I knew that Dr. Bellinger's goal was to renew preachers and thus renew preaching. Dr. Bellinger challenges us to renew our own encounter with God so that we can then help our congregations encounter our merciful and saving God themselves. My prayer is that the Institute for Homiletics will renew the Church, one preacher and congregation at a time.

Abbot Peter Verhalen, O.Cist.

Take full advantage of this program. You will come to see it, as I did, as an invigorating and exciting opportunity. You, and the people of God whom you serve, will greatly benefit from your active participation in this gift.

Bishop Brendan Cahill, Diocese of Victoria, Texas

Since I participated in the Preaching for Encounter program, I have received input that I have grown significantly in content, delivery, organization, and my use of resources for developing homilies. I pay much more attention to the structure and form, which has allowed my preaching to become more practical. It focuses on one single theme.

Fr. Richard Bediako

Deacon Jim has always had charisma and liked people. He is now connected more deeply with our community. We can see it in people's faces on the recordings we do; they are really listening to Deacon, and he is reaching them. They are able to remember his message and take it home with them.

Hector & Mary Garcia, Archdiocese of San Antonio

We have thoroughly enjoyed our experience as members of the St. Joseph's Preachers for Fr. Gabriel Bentil. It has shed much light on homiletics, and we have all gained knowledge from the reading materials. Thank you for all you do to help us provide this support for our preachers!

Heather Kallus, Holy Family in the Diocese of Victoria, Texas

This program has helped make preaching enjoyable and approachable, and to recognize that it is a gift to share homilies with people. They are seeking more. For me, this is only the beginning, but this has placed me on a trajectory of growth that I hope and pray to keep up with and continue for a lifetime.

Fr. Christopher Kalan, O. Cist.

Ready to Get Started?

Let’s work together to renew preaching for the renewal of the Catholic Church!