The Whetstone 23-24
Offerings
CONTINUING FORMATION OF THE CLERGY
REGIONAL BODY & SOUL RETREAT DAY (2 CFUs)
Participants of this 2-day retreat with Reform Wellness will encounter the Divine Physician through scripture and the sacraments, shift from self-reliance to reliance on Christ, assess the current state of their body and soul, and attend workshops on healing and whole-person well-being. There is no cost, space is limited.
Registration is closed
Date: October 18 & 19, 2023
Location: Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center at the Palisades
ANNUAL RETREAT FOR PRIESTS (3 CFUs)
As part of his responsibility for spiritual formation, each priest is required to make an annual retreat of up to five days. To assist him, the Archdiocese of Seattle offers an annual retreat for priests. The cost of the retreat is to be
covered by the priest’s source of salary. In the case of priests with senior status, costs are covered by the Archbishop according to the annual notification, through the Office of the Vicar for Clergy.
REGISTER HERE
Date: January 8–11, 2024
Speaker: Fr. Julian Peters, OSB
Location: Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center at the Palisades
REGIONAL BODY & SOUL RETREAT DAY (1 CFU)
This "mini Priest Days" retreat incorporates spiritual togetherness (Lectio Divina, Adoration, Mass, Morning Prayer, etc.) with a meal and a listening session with Bishop Elizondo, followed by the opportunity for fellowship and a fun activity.
REGISTER HERE
Date: February 15, 2024
Location: Burlington
7 Habits of Highly Effective Priests - Virtual Session (4 CFU)
This is a virtual event led by Fr. Patrick Freitag. This series includes four on-line sessions.
REGISTER HERE
Date: Spring 2024
Location: Virtual
REGIONAL BODY & SOUL RETREAT DAY (1 CFU)
This "mini Priest Days" retreat incorporates spiritual togetherness (Lectio Divina, Adoration, Mass, Morning Prayer, etc.) with a meal and a listening session with Bishop Schuster, followed by the opportunity for fellowship and a fun activity.
REGISTER HERE
Date: May 29, 2024
Location: Centralia
PRIEST DAYS (5 CFUs)
All priests of the Archdiocese are invited to and expected to attend Priest Days, for refreshment, fraternity and formation. The cost of Priest Days is to be covered by the priest’s source of salary. In the case of priests with senior status, costs are covered by the Archbishop according to the annual notification, through the Office of the Vicar for Clergy.
REGISTER HERE
Date: June 16–19, 2024
Speaker: Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller
Location: Ocean Shores Convention Center
WELLNESS CHECK AT PRIEST DAYS (1 CFU)
Caring for one’s health is an integral part of ongoing human formation. Clinicians from Quest Diagnostics, in partnership with the Benefits Services Office and the Office of the Vicar for Clergy will perform the blood draw and assessment during several windows of time during Priest Days. Those who also participate in the free hearing screen should claim 1 CFU.
Registration coming soon
REGIONAL DEACON GATHERING (1 CFU)
These regional gatherings for deacons and their wives are an opportunity with the bishops to experience fellowship and reflection over a shared meal.
Registration is closed
Date: September 21, 2023
Deanery: Northern and Snohomish
Bishop: Eusebio Elizondo
Location: Our Lady of Hope, Everett
DEACON CONVOCATION (5 CFUs)
Each deacon and deacon spouse is expected to attend the annual convocation. The cost of the convocation, for both deacon and spouse, is to be covered by the deacon’s source of salary. In the case of deacons with senior status, costs are covered by the Archbishop according to the annual notification, through the Office of the Vicar for Clergy.
Registration is closed
Date: October 6–8, 2023
Speaker: Deacon Bill Ditewig
Location: Ocean Shores Convention Center
REGIONAL DEACON GATHERING (1 CFU)
These regional gatherings for deacons and their wives are an opportunity with the bishops to experience fellowship and reflection over a shared meal.
Registration is closed
Date: October 26, 2023
Deanery: Eastside
Bishop: Eusebio Elizondo
Location: TBD
REGIONAL DEACON GATHERING (1 CFU)
These regional gatherings for deacons and their wives are an opportunity with the bishops to experience fellowship and reflection over a shared meal.
Registration coming soon
Date: January 2024, date TBD
Deanery: Southern
Bishop: Frank Schuster
Location: Vancouver
ANNUAL LENTEN RETREAT FOR DEACONS (2 CFUs)
Each deacon and deacon spouse is expected to make the annual retreat for
deacons. The cost of the retreat, for both deacon and his spouse, is to be
covered by the deacon’s source of salary. In the case of deacons with senior status, costs are covered by the Archbishop according to the annual notification, through the Office of the Vicar for Clergy.
REGISTER HERE
Date: March 1–3, 2024
Speaker: Fr. John Cecero, OSB
Location: Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center at the Palisades
NEWLY ARRIVED INTERNATIONAL PRIESTS (5 CFUs)
During the first two years upon arrival, newly arrived international priests
are expected to attend several sessions of formation, fraternity, enculturation,
training, and orientation to the policies and procedures of the Archdiocese
of Seattle.
Dates: September 14, 2023; November 9, 2023; February 7–9, 2024
Location: Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center at the Palisades
NEW INTERNATIONAL PRIEST RETREAT (3 CFUs)
Priests assigned as pastors of a parish family for the first time are expected to attend a three day session of formation, fraternity, training, and orientation
to the policies and procedures of the Archdiocese of Seattle.
REGISTER HERE
Dates: February 7-9, 2024
Location: TBA
NEW PASTOR OF PARISH FAMILY (3 CFUs)
Priests assigned as pastors of a parish family for the first time are expected to attend a three day session of formation, fraternity, training, and orientation
to the policies and procedures of the Archdiocese of Seattle.
Dates: April 17-19, 2024
Location: TBA
NEW PRIEST ADMINISTRATOR (5 CFUs)
Priests assigned as priest administrator for the first time are expected to attend these sessions of formation, fraternity, training, and orientation
to the policies and procedures of the Archdiocese of Seattle.
Dates: September 13, 2023; October 11, 2023; November 11, 2023;
December 14, 2023; January 18, 2024; February 22, 2024; March 13, 2024;
April 18, 2024; May 23, 2024
Location: Chancery, Teams
NEWLY ORDAINED MENTORING (5 CFUs)
The primary emphasis for continuing formation of the newly ordained is the strengthening of priestly life through mentoring. In addition to the mentoring
of their supervising priest at the place of assignment, these mentoring sessions are led by an experienced pastor, and offer the priest in his first and second year since ordination a monthly opportunity to come together with their brother priests in their class, reflect on the life of a priest, and better understand the practical realities of priestly life and parish ministry.
Date: September 21, 2023; October 19, 2023; November 16, 2023;
December 7, 2023; February 8, 2024; March 14, 2024; April 11, 2024;
May 15, 2024; June 6. 2024
Location: Chancery, Teams
PREACHING THE LECTIONARY (2 CFUs)
Cycle B: The Gospel of Mark.
Speaker: Fr. Stephen Rowan
On-demand: October 2023 presentation
ONGOING/VARIOUS DATES
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID (1–5 CFUs)
Contact Nick Schoen, Office of the Vicar for Clergy,
(206) 382-2060 for dates/times.
OPERATION NIGHTWATCH (1–5 CFUs)
An opportunity for experience of ministry within the local homeless community. All training provided. Contact Deacon Frank DiGirolamo, frank@seattlenightwatch.org
PROJECT RACHEL TRAINING DAY (1–5 CFUs)
Contact Nick Schoen, Office of the Vicar for Clergy,
(206) 382-2060 for dates/times.
R.E.S.T.—REAL ESCAPE FROM SEX TRADE TRAINING DAY (2 CFUs)
An opportunity learn the basics, and to prepare for direct service to those experiencing the sex trade.
All needed info at this link: https://iwantrest.com/rest-training-day
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT PRIEST RETREAT (5 CFUs)
This retreat will examine Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount, highlighting
challenges for priestly spirituality.
REGISTER HERE
Speakers: Father Eugene Hensell, OSB
Date: October 23–27, 2023
Location: St. Meinrad Archabbey Guest House and Retreat Center
MARYKNOLL CHRISTIAN MINDFULNESS RETREAT (3 CFUs)
Join us for a weekend retreat as we explore and practice integrating Catholic
mindfulness into our prayer lives in light of our call to missionary discipleship: “Balancing Contemplation with Action.”
REGISTER HERE
Date: November 3–5, 2023
Location: Los Altos, CA
THE GOSPEL OF MARK PRIEST RETREAT (5 CFUs)
Mark’s Gospel can be understood as being structured around four major
rejections experienced by Jesus. This retreat will consider Mark’s Gospel
through the lens of these four major rejections. What do they say about
Jesus? What do they say about us?
REGISTER HERE
Speakers: Father Eugene Hensell, OSB
Date: April 22–26, 2024
Location: St. Meinrad Archabbey Guest House and Retreat Center
ONGOING/VARIOUS DATES
AVILA INSTITUTE (1–5 CFUs)
Under the patronage of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the mission of the Avila Institute is to draw Christians worldwide into deeper union with Christ through mystagogically oriented spiritual education and formation.
Date: various
Location: various
Calendar: https://avila-institute.org/
CLERGY TRAINING INTENSIVES: INTEGRITY RESTORED (4 CFUs)
In-depth training providing education from both theological and psychological perspectives on effects of pornography. Priests are given a crash course in
theological anthropology, science of addiction, relationships, and the different levels of intervention.
Date: various
Location: various
Calendar: https://integrityrestored.com/
ENCOUNTER MINISTRIES (1–5 CFUs)
Come be inspired for the New Evangelization! Through imparting and activating the spiritual gifts you too can be empowered to evangelize and do the super-
natural works of Jesus in your life.
Date: various
Location: various
Calendar: https://encounterministries.us/
IGNATIAN SILENT RETREATS - SUMMER 2024 (3-5 CFUs)
REGISTER HERE
Dates:
3-day Retreat: Thu Jul 11 6pm–Sun Jul 14 3pm
5-day Retreat: Mon Jul 15 3pm–Sat Jul 20 1pm
8-day Retreat: Mon Jul 22 3pm–Tue Jul 30 1pm
30-day Retreat: Sun June 30–Fri Aug 2 Fri
Location: Joseph & Mary Retreat House 1300 Stritch Drive, Mundelein, IL 60060
For anyone who is interested in the 30-day, please reach out to Fr. Horn at jhorn@svdp.edu. Additionally, we have established a new email address, retreats@amorischristi.org, dedicated to addressing all your retreat-related inquiries and concerns.
JOHN PAUL II HEALING CENTER—HOLY DESIRE (1–5 CFU)
The mission of the JPII Healing Center is to promote and inspire transformation
in the heart of the Church by equipping and healing God’s people for the New Evangelization. Exploring the deep desires of the masculine heart, this teaching is truly transformational. You’ll come to understand how disordered desires are rooted in underlying holy desires, unmet needs, and tied to our false identities; heal the underlying wounds; and engage productively in the battle of desires,
in order to find true fulfillment.
Date: various
Location: various
Calendar: https://jpiihealingcenter.org/events/
INTERNATIONAL CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP CONFERENCE (4 CFUs)
Date: October 1–4, 2023
Location: Orlando, FL
Contact: https://catholicstewardship.com/icsc-2023-annual-conference/
ST. PAUL CENTER WEST COAST PRIEST CONFERENCE (4 CFUs)
Date: January 8–11, 2024
Location: Napa, CA
Contact: https://stpaulcenter.com/january2024/
LOS ANGELES RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CONGRESS (4 CFUs)
Dates: February 15–18, 2024
Location: Anaheim Convention Center
Contact: https://recongress.org/
NCEA—ANNUAL CONVENTION (3 CFUs)
Dates: April 2–4, 2024
Location: Pittsburg, PA
Contact: https://www.ncea.org/
NATIONAL DIACONATE INSTITUTE FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION (4 CFUS)
Date: July 21–24, 2024
Location: TBA
Contact: https://ndice.net/
AMAZING PARISH CONFERENCE (3 CFUS)
Date: August 26–28, 2024
Location: San Antonio, EX
Contact: https://amazingparish.org/
CHRISM MASS
A priest will renew his priestly promises each year at the Chrism Mass.
Date: March 21, 2024
Location: St. James Cathedral
Time: 7:00 PM
ORDINATION TO PRIESTHOOD
Date: June 1, 2024
Location: St. James Cathedral
Time: 10:00 AM
REQUIREMENTS FOR CONTINUING FORMATION
Priests and deacons under the age of 65 and in an assignment from the Archdiocese of Seattle are expected to complete at least 45 Continuing Formation Units in the course of three years; priests and deacons over 65 are expected to complete 30 Continuing Formation Units in the course of three years. Priests and deacons who have achieved senior status are exempt from the expectation but are encouraged to continue their continuing formation as a significant means of personal development. A year is calculated from July 1st to the following June 30th in accordance with assignment dates.
CONTINUING FORMATION UNITS
Events or programs are assigned a certain number of continuing formation units (CFUs). Courses taken for audit or for academic credit receive 5 CFUs with a maximum of 15 CFUs per year. Special seminars for clergy whether coordinated by the Archdiocese or self-directed receive 1 CFU for each hour that the seminar meets for a maximum of 5 CFUs. Half-day workshops receive 2 CFUs; full-day workshops, conventions/conferences receive a maximum of 5 CFUs. Self-directed studies that result in sabbatical projects of use to the parish receive 5 CFUs. The following projects/programs fulfill the continuing formation requirement for the year (15 CFUs); 1) a language immersion program (5 CFUs), New Priest Program (5 CFUs) and a field study (5 CFUs).
CRITERIA FOR CONTINUING FORMATION
To qualify as continuing formation, a program or event should be accounted for publicly and develop the priest’s or deacon’s formation in one or more of the four pillars; human, intellectual, pastoral, and spiritual.
Participation in events which are part of one’s pastoral duties—including prayer services and retreats with parish staff—do not qualify as continuing formation. Rather, in the spirit of the Gospel, events and programs should be in a “place apart” where there is refreshment, prayerful discernment, and reflection outside of the pressing context of ministry.
Study/research that result in a substantial project of use to a parish, such as a catechism or new design for a youth program or curriculum for RCIA are strongly encouraged and should be claimed as continuing formation.
CONTINUING FORMATION FUNDS
All priests and deacons are entitled to a stipend for continuing formation, provided by the place of assignment, if they are assigned by the Archdiocese of Seattle to work on July 1st of a given year. Priests are entitled to $700, deacons to $500.
Funds may be used to purchase books or periodicals, to attend classes or professional conferences, or workshops, which relate to ministerial responsibilities, or to travel abroad.
Continuing formation Funds should not be used to pay for the Annual Retreat for Priests, the Annual Retreat for Deacons, or for expenses associated with Priest Days, or the Deacon Convocation which are already paid for by the source of salary(priests)/place of assignment(deacons) or for workshops and seminars in which parish staff are expected to participate.
Finally, Continuing formation Funds are not to be used for personal vacations or to purchase hardware for computers, laptops or devices. However, funds may be used to purchase software programs that support ministry.
UNUSED BALANCE
Unused funds may be claimed at any time for purposes relating to continuing formation, such as travel to conferences and sabbatical experiences, by contacting the Office of the Vicar for Clergy. Funds are not transferable and are lost when a priest/deacon leaves the Archdiocese.
PRIESTS
When the fiscal year ends (June 30) any unused portion of the priest’s Continuing Formation Funds will be remitted by the source of salary to the Office of the Vicar for Clergy to be deposited into a separate bank account. The maximum amount that may be accumulated is $3,500 for each priest. A statement of the account balance will be provided to each priest by the Office of the Vicar for Clergy upon request.
DEACONS
When the fiscal year ends (June 30), any unused portion of the deacon’s Continuing Formation Funds will be remitted to the Office of the Vicar for Clergy to be deposited into a separate bank account. The maximum amount that may be accumulated is $2,500 for each deacon. A statement of the account balance will be provided to each deacon by the Office of the Vicar for Clergy upon request.
SPECIAL PROVISIONS AND APPEALS
At his discretion, the Archbishop may grant a priest or deacon extended time for study and renewal which shall not be considered either an administrative leave or a sabbatical. The Archbishop will ask the Vicar for Clergy to assign an appropriate number of CFUs for the program he has authorized. The Advisory Board advises the Vicar for Clergy concerning all appeals to the policies of continuing formation.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SPEAKERS/PROGRAMS
Clergy are invited to suggest speakers or programs at any time to the Office of the Vicar for Clergy. A request for suggestions is also included in the priest’s or deacon’s annual report.
ADVISORY BOARD
The Continuing Formation Board is composed of priests, deacons, deacon spouses, lay people with expertise in theology, and Office of the Vicar for Clergy staff.
You may find this chart helpful when drawing up your Personal Report. It synopses the policies and guidelines for claiming Continuing Formation Units (CFUs). For events not mentioned in The Whetstone, please apply the units you believe are equivalent to those covered by policy.
EVENTS CFUs
| Event | CFUs |
|---|---|
| Academic Courses (for audit or credit) | 5/class up to 15 total |
| Academic Courses (online) | 5/class up to 15 total |
| Conferences (regional, national) | 5 |
| Deacon Convocation | 5 |
| Deacon Retreat | 2 |
| Field Study | 5 |
| Language Programs (immersion for at least two months) | 15 |
| Lecture | 1 |
| Missal Romano | 2 |
| Newly Arrived International Priest | 5/session up to 15 total |
| New Priest Program | 15 |
| Personal Retreat | 1/day up to 3 total |
| Pilgrimage/Retreat in Central America | 5 |
| Preaching the Lectionary | 2 |
| Priest Days | 5 |
| Priest Retreat | 3 |
| Reading | 2 per book/tape up to 6 total |
| Retreat Pilgrimage | 5 |
| Sabbatical | 15 |
| Self Directed Study (with product) | 5 |
| Sustaining Pastoral Excellence-School of Theology/Ministry | 15 |
| Wellness Check- Priest Days | 1 |
| Workshop—half day | 2 |
| Workshop—full day | 4 |
| Any of the above with your Jesus Caritas Group | 1 |
PRIEST VACATION POLICY
Pastors, parochial vicars and other priests with full-time archdiocesan assignments may take up to thirty days of vacation per year. This may be continuous however it may not include more than four weekends. The priest is responsible for ensuring that coverage is provided in his parish/place of assignment. Communion services are not replacements of regularly scheduled Sunday or Saturday vigil Mass. Contact the Office of the Vicar for Clergy if assistance is needed.
“Initial and ongoing formation...are two halves of one reality, the life of a disciple cleric, in love with his Lord and steadfastly following Him.”
~ Pope Francis