Mary and Hector Garcia, Saint Joseph group leaders at St. Ann’s Parish.

Hearing a homily is no longer passive for people in the pews.

… How can they hear without someone to preach? – Romans 10:14

Hector and Mary Garcia of St. Ann’s Church have been walking closely with Deacon Jim Wainer as he participates in a Preaching for Encounter program. “Deacon Jim has always had charisma and a natural way of connecting with people,” Hector Garcia explained. “But since he has been learning through the Institute for Homiletics in this Preaching program, he now connects us deeply with the Word in a way that feels personal to each of us.”

Mary has witnessed the impact firsthand. “I record deacon’s homilies, and when we watch them later, we notice people’s faces — how they listen, how they respond in the moment. You can see the difference his preaching makes.” In addition to the preaching for clergy, the Institute for Homiletics at the University of Dallas also provides learning and formation for groups laity called Saint Joseph’s Preachers.

Each of these groups meets monthly to pray for their priest or deacon. They also study how to pray the Mass and listen carefully to the homily. Together, Hector and Mary lead a team of 12 parishioners who have been learning to provide ongoing feedback to help Deacon Jim grow as a preacher.

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