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Institute for Homiletics

A Collaboration of The Catholic Foundation and the University of Dallas

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Launch of First-Ever Deacon-Exclusive Preaching Cohort, Marking Institute’s 5th Anniversary

As the Institute for Homiletics at the University of Dallas celebrates its fifth anniversary this year, it is launching a rare milestone: the first cohort of its Preaching for Encounter Program dedicated exclusively to permanent deacons. The twenty-month program begins with an introductory retreat April 22, 2027, in Mundelein, IL.

Since its founding in 2021, the Institute has helped Catholic priests and deacons across the country grow as preachers through personalized coaching, peer support, teaching retreats and lay engagement. This new cohort responds to a rising demand for post-ordination homiletics training tailored specifically to deacons.

“Launching a deacon-exclusive cohort is a meaningful way to mark five years of the Institute for Homiletics,” said Ryan Reedy, University of Dallas Chief of Staff. “Deacons play a vital role in the Church, including through preaching, and the Institute was founded to help Catholic preaching flourish.”

“The goal of preaching is to help our people grow closer to God. Preachers know that they are never done learning how to do that. There is always one more person that their homily can touch,” said Dr. Karla Bellinger, executive director of the Institute for Homiletics.

Diocesan peer groups remain central to the program, with seven to ten deacons from each participating diocese gathering monthly to pray together, evaluate one another’s homilies, and build a lasting support network. Each deacon also works one-on-one with a homiletics coach holding a doctorate in the field, and is supported by a parish lay group known as the St. Joseph Preachers.

“The Preaching for Encounter Program provided an important period of growth in my ministry,” said Deacon James Baird, the Institute’s coordinator for clergy formation. “Preaching became a central part of my spirituality as a deacon, and I realized that I have the rest of my life to continue to grow.”

Past participants describe the program as transformative. “I now have tools and a process of editing and filtering that have made me a better preacher,” said Deacon Andy Peña of Dallas, a member of the 2022 cohort. Deacon Jack Hayes of Joliet, Ill., a 2024 cohort member, added, “I’ve become more relatable rather than academic, and I’m really thankful to my parishioners who have helped me to speak from my heart.”

Dioceses and deacons interested in more information about the 2027 Deacon Cohort may contact Deacon James Baird at jgbaird@udallas.edu.

Five Years of Renewing Preachers and Transforming Lives

Milestone celebration honors the importance of Catholic preaching.

It was more than a fifth birthday celebration. It was a moving reminder of why Catholic preaching matters: powerful words can open hearts, deepen faith, and lead people to an encounter with God.

On October 2, 2026, the Institute for Homiletics gathered in Dallas to celebrate its fifth anniversary. The luncheon brought together a community of people united by this mission: Dallas Catholic leaders, Institute board members, clergy and diocesan leaders, alumni of the Preaching for Encounter and Saint Joseph’s Preachers programs, and the generous donors whose commitment makes this work possible.

Together, we reflected on the fruits of our first five years, the relationships that have strengthened our mission, and an exciting vision for the years ahead. Above all, the gathering affirmed the conviction at the heart of the Institute’s work: Homilies matter. Preaching can change lives.

One particularly meaningful highlight was the presentation by Executive Director Dr. Karla Bellinger, “Where Is the God of Love in the Suffering of Life?” Her reflection on the healing of the bent-over woman in Luke 13 explored this thought-provoking question of suffering that touches every human heart. It also modeled for us the profound opportunity of those called to preach the love of God.

Listen to Dr. Bellinger’s presentation here

As we begin our next five years, we do so with gratitude to everyone who has helped bring this mission to life. We believe that God is always at work and still has much to accomplish through the very human interaction of preaching.

Advent and Christmas Preaching Workshop this November in Dallas!

Advent and Christmas Preaching Workshop, November 18 or 19:

Like Sheep Without a Shepherd: 

Preaching for People Under Stress during the Seasons of Advent and Christmas

Ordained clergy and those in formation are welcome! 

Click here for details

Choose from the workshop with lunch on Wednesday, Nov. 18 or the workshop with dinner on Thursday, November 19

Saint Paul the Apostle Parish Center, Richardson TX 75080.

Please Register here https://forms.gle/VtJmXsngNnXiaXJV6

For more information, contact: Deacon James Baird at jgbaird@udallas.edu or 972.977.4549.

Office Phone: (972) 721-4134

Website:  https://instituteforhomiletics.org/

St. Matthew, Child of God

By Karla Bellinger – Reading: Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13 ;

Brothers and sisters,

I, a prisoner for the Lord,

Urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received

With all humility and gentleness, with patience,

Bearing with one another through love,

Striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit

Through the bond of peace:

One Body and one Spirit,

As you were also called to the one hope of your call:

One Lord, one faith, one baptism;

One God and Father of all,

Who is over all and through all and in all.

But grace was given to each of us

According to the measure of the Christ’s gift.

And he gave some as Apostles, others as prophets,

Others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers

To equip the holy ones for the work of ministry,

For building up that Body of Christ

Until we all attain to the unity of faith

And knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,

To the extent of the full stature of Christ.

And he gave some as Apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors, and teachers: which one are you? What’s your role in building up the kingdom of God?

Today is the feast of St. Matthew. We name him apostle. We name him evangelist.

But did he name himself apostle and evangelist?

Read the Full Article

Preaching for Encounter Program – Preachers’ Progress Report 2024 Cohort

Executive Summary: 

Catholic preaching can improve. At the Institute for Homiletics, we have witnessed homiletic growth anecdotally and we have measured it statistically.

The 2024 cohort of the Preaching for Encounter Program worked on their preaching from the orientation sessions in April 2024 through the capstone retreat in February 2026. Forty-three priests and deacons came from these (arch)dioceses: Chicago, IL; Joliet, IL; Dallas, TX; San Antonio, TX; Gary, IN; and Los Angeles, CA (see group photo on page 27). Supporting their clergy were 429 lay people, the St. Joseph’s Preachers, who learned to be homiletically-trained conversation partners. We are grateful to all of them, as well as to the large support system of bishops, abbot, directors of ongoing formation, donors, coaches, and staff who were the foundation for the 2024 cohort.

Catholic congregations in these represented dioceses are huge; we estimate that the words of these homiletic leaders impact at least 65,000 parishioners daily, weekly, and monthly, with more at funerals, weddings, quinceañera, Christmas and Easter. Incremental improvement in Catholic preaching has the potential to result in exponential renewal for the Church.

We have solid statistical evidence of that improvement from three sources of data: 1) coaches’ pre- and post-evaluations; 2) preachers’ pre- and post-self-evaluations; and 3) parish pre- and post-surveys. See the survey instruments in the Appendix, beginning on page 28.

This report reveals that the quality of Catholic preaching can improve. How to do that is not based on guesswork. Preaching quality is not simply that some are “talented” and some are not. There are standards to effectiveness. How to connect the gospel with the lives of our people can be learned. This is good news. It takes time, financial investment, energy and a commitment from church leadership. But it can be done. This report is evidence for that hope.

Read the Full Report