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Institute for Homiletics

A Collaboration of The Catholic Foundation and the University of Dallas

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Preaching for Encounter Program

Preaching for Encounter Program

Connecting preachers with the resources and support they need to take their homilies to the next level.

Bring Preaching for Encounter to Your Diocese

The Preaching for Encounter Program works on a cohort model which begins every two years. We are in the early stages of recruiting for the 2026 cohort. Each diocese provides one peer learning group of 8-10 priests or deacons. We have openings for six peer learning groups. Reserve your place today!
Here’s how to bring Preaching for Encounter to your diocese.
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Contact us to talk about how to get your diocese involved in the program.

Institute for Homiletics Catholic Church Preaching Parish Diocese Resources Homepage Step 2 Icon

We’ll provide you with coaches and resources.

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Witness the Holy Spirit transform your diocese.

LEARN MORE
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An Ambitious Program to Renew Catholic Preaching

Priests and deacons meet in groups of eight to encourage and build each other up as preachers.

Participants commit to two years of formation. They work together to improve their preaching skills, grow spiritually and discover new ways God wants to speak through them to His people.

To learn how Preaching for Encounter can help your homilies flourish, let’s talk.

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Four Keys to Unlocking Your Preaching Potential

Peer-Learning

These groups of clergy are the beating heart of the Preaching for Encounter program. Preachers come together monthly in their home dioceses for spiritual renewal and homiletic support. They will view each other’s homilies, pray, and offer constructive feedback in an environment of fraternal encouragement.

Lay Support

A group of laity called the St. Joseph’s Preachers will encourage each preacher through prayer and constructive feedback on homilies. They will give their priests and deacons insight into how the laity encounter God in their everyday lives.

Learn more about the St. Joseph’s Preachers here.

Personalized Coaching

A coach will be assigned to each participant to help him improve his homilies. Preachers will upload their homilies online for their coaches to watch and reflect upon. Coaches will then share their thoughts and offer pointers for strengthening the messages.

Teaching Moments

Priests and deacons will come away from their parish and diocese five times in the two years. In the summer, they go north. In the winter they go south for focused moments of homiletic instruction.

Peer-Learning

These groups of clergy are the beating heart of the Preaching for Encounter program. Preachers come together monthly in their home dioceses for spiritual renewal and homiletic support. They will view each other’s homilies, pray, and offer constructive feedback in an environment of fraternal encouragement.

Lay Support

A group of laity called the St. Joseph’s Preachers will encourage each preacher through prayer and constructive feedback on homilies. They will give their priests and deacons insight into how the laity encounter God in their everyday lives.

Learn more about the St. Joseph’s Preachers here.

Personalized Coaching

A coach will be assigned to each participant to help him improve his homilies. Preachers will upload their homilies online for their coaches to watch and reflect upon. Coaches will then share their thoughts and offer pointers for strengthening the messages.

Teaching Moments

Priests and deacons will come away from their parish and diocese five times in the two years. In the summer, they go north. In the winter they go south for focused moments of homiletic instruction.

Contact us today to find out how to join a Preaching for Encounter cohort.

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“(The preacher) needs to be able to link the message of a biblical text to a human situation, to an experience which cries out for the light of God’s word.”

POPE FRANCIS,
EVANGELII GAUDIUM 154
Institute for Homiletics Catholic Church Preaching Parish Diocese Resources Encounter Prayer Hands Priest

Spiritually Renew Yourself and Your Listeners

After completing Preaching for Encounter, you will:

  • Know more about how your listeners encounter God and what they’re looking for in a homily.
  • Feel spiritually refreshed by the retreat-like atmosphere and the support of your brother clergy.
  • Let God speak through your homilies more powerfully than ever before.
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