The Preaching for Encounter Program is at the heart of our programming at the Institute for Homiletics. A homilist on fire for the Lord + robust homiletic training = effective preaching that brings people into an encounter with God. It can be done. Check into it!

What we have learned from coaching over a hundred Catholic preachers is that the homily is not just “their problem” (the listeners are not listening?) or “his problem” (the preacher is not well-trained to preach). Effective communication comes through a vibrant relationship between those who preach and those who listen. We need each other.

And yet, helpful feedback is hard to find. We have designed a program, called the St. Joseph’s Preachers program, to form lay people into homiletically trained conversation partners. We are piloting this with forty-five lay groups who are pioneering the process in the dioceses of Dallas, TX, Green Bay, WI, and Victoria, TX.

Not ready to commit to a two-year program? We can connect you with trained workshop presenters, so that you can find specialists in homiletics: from delivery to the spirituality of preaching to how to grow more creative in your preaching, etc. Just let us know what you are looking for.

It is healthy to bring your priests away from their parishes to come together for prayer and study. We offer convocations from two to four days long. Here is a write-up of the Salt Lake City convocation.

Are you looking for a personal preaching coach? One-on-one feedback is one of the surest ways to grow in your preaching. In the Catholic tradition, this is a new thing. We can connect you with trained homileticians who can help you to improve your preaching.