MENUCLOSE

Institute for Homiletics

A Collaboration of The Catholic Foundation and the University of Dallas

2026 Cohort program information

 

THE PREACHING FOR ENCOUNTER PROGRAM 

In the worldwide synodal process, we are praying for the growth of the Catholic faith through listening to each other. The lay people in our pews tell us that one of the ways that their faith grows is through liturgical preaching that connects with their lives. Our research reveals that the Sunday homily especially matters for those who are on the margins of faith, whether vaguely committed,  weekly Mass attendees, or those who only come once in a while. Our Institute for Homiletics mission is to revitalize our people by providing encounters with the living God through Catholic preaching. These encounters can then launch committed disciples who are on fire to renew this world in which we live. This is our hope. This is our aspiration. 

The Preaching for Encounter Program 

We are now recruiting participants for the 2026 cohort of the Preaching for Encounter program. We work together to improve their preaching skills, grow spiritually, and discover new ways for God to speak through them to inspire their people. Here is a brief summary of what our 20-month program entails: 

  • Peer-learning groups are at the heart of the process. In the first year, small groups of priests or deacons meet once a month to discuss preaching materials, to evaluate each other’s homilies, to pray together, and to enjoy food and fellowship. Orientation for the new peer learning groups will be in the spring of 2026 and peer groups will begin to meet in October, 2026. If you are part of a hybrid group, you will meet with your peers from different parts of the U.S. online.

  • Each preacher will be provided with a personal preaching coach who will work with him to set goals, evaluate his homilies, work on an upcoming homily, and offer personalized coaching toward more effective preaching. Many of the preachers have described what a blessing this one-on-one coaching has been for them. Coaching begins in September, 2026.

  • Whole cohort gatherings: there are two winter retreats and two summer retreats. These teaching moments bring preachers away from their parishes to focus on their learning. The first whole-cohort gathering will be a two-day retreat at Mundelein Seminary near Chicago in June 2026. The next retreat gathering will be at Marywood Retreat Center in Jacksonville, Florida, in February, 2027.
  • Each preacher will have a lay support group who will pray for him and encourage him in his preaching. This group will meet independently in the first year to learn to pray the Mass,  do lectio divina on the Sunday scriptures, give feedback on sample homilies, and understand what makes for effective preaching. In the second year of the program, the lay-support group will meet with their preacher to study the scriptures and share with him how they are encountering God in ordinary life. The preacher’s responsibility is to select a lay coordinator for this group. That person will then recruit a diverse mix of 8-10 participants.  

What is next?
Reach out to Deacon James Baird, Coordinator of Preaching for Encounter Program, at jgbaird[at symbol]dallas.edu or the Contact Us button.