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Institute for Homiletics

A Collaboration of The Catholic Foundation and the University of Dallas

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Congratulations to 43 Graduates of Preaching for Encounter Program!

2026.02.25 Graduates Poster
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. Now begins a new chapter in their lifelong journey to help people go deeper in their relationship with God.

Here are a few comments from their final evaluations, to give you more context about what they begin to learn from Preaching for Encounter.

“This program gave me much more than I expected! I now have a lot of tools to continue to improve my preparation of homilies. The experience with my coaches was especially meaningful to my growth. I feel like I now have the resources and relationships to help me keep learning and growing in my preaching for years to come.” – Fr. Miguel

“I understand the importance of the liturgical homily a lot more now. It matters for the life of the Church and our ongoing clergy formation. It has helped me to approach my delivery with ease and confidence. My parishioners readily share the progress they see, and they appreciate it.” – Fr. Leo

“I am more aware of what works, how to avoid what does not help, and how I can still improve. I’m eager to continue improving and helping us all have better connections with God.” – Dcn. Norm

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 more effective homilies, our research findings – especially concerning teens and young adult perspectives. To make it easy to return to an article we have featured, simply visit our Newsletter Archive! https://instituteforhomiletics.org/newsletter-archive/

Get to know Fr. Jude Siciliano, O.P.

We’re delighted to introduce you to Fr. Jude Siciliano, O.P., who lives just around the corner from our offices at the University of Dallas, at the Dominican Priory. Fr. Jude has dedicated his ministry to preaching and teaching, and he has also served as president of the Catholic Association of Teachers of Homiletics.

In addition to his many ministries, Fr. Jude operates the preaching website  preacherexchange.com, where you’ll find valuable reflections and insights to support your own homiletic preparation.

We hope you enjoy getting to know Fr. Jude and learning from his wisdom. The team at the Institute for Homiletics will continue to bring you more resources and opportunities for growth in the art of preaching.

Preaching for Encounter Now Opening for Priests Across U.S. to Participate

Time to get onboard! We have started receiving names of the priests for our 2026 cohort that starts with its first retreat in June at Mundelein, Illinois. While other dioceses continue to send their lists, we will have room for a hybrid group of priests who may live anywhere in the U.S. The only difference for hybrid group priests is that their peer group will meet online rather than in person.

Archdiocese of Victoria: Parishioner and peer input help priests preach better

The Diocese of Victoria has had several priests participate in the Institute for Homiletics’ Preaching for Encounter cohort that completed their program in 2024, and more are invited to begin in 2026. Because of the Institute for Homiletics, with its mission to renew Catholic preachers and their preaching, priests and deacons are realizing that homilies matter more than they knew. Preaching for Encounter gives them the help of homiletics coaches, a group of peers, and input from a trained group of laity. With all this, preachers can go deeply into the Word and their own prayer life, allowing the Holy Spirit to help them create more encounters with Christ for their flock. “Father Gabriel Bentil, our pastor at Holy Family, asked me to lead a group to partner with him during his Preaching for Encounter program,” said Heather Kallus, the parish’s Director of Faith Formation.

 

See full article here: Parishioner and peer input…