Guide to Ongoing Formation for Priests

102 | GUIDE TO ONGOING FORMATION FOR PRIESTS

a. Marriage, marriage preparation, and the pre-judicial or pastoral inquiry prior to a petition for a declaration of invalidity of marriage 217

b. Canon law case studies for pastoral life

c. Intercultural competency

d. Homiletics and preaching

e. Time management and life balance

f. Whole-hearted commitment to one’s assignment without accepting additional responsibilities which detract from it g. Discernment regarding readiness for additional responsibilities, such as offering spiritual direction, leading retreats, and so on 218

h. Personal grief and pastoral care of the grieving

i. Relationships with permanent deacons and lay ecclesial ministers

j. Cultivation of good relationships and boundaries with staff

k. Good confessional practices

l. Relationship between the priest and his diocesan bishop; relationships within the presbyterate

m. Moral theology “hot topics” and strategies for dealing with controversy

217 See Francis, Mitis Iudex Dominus Iesus (By Which the Canons of the Code of Canon Law Pertaining to Cases Regarding the Nullity of Marriage Are Reformed) , August 15, 2015, arts. 2-3. 218 See PPF, nos. 43, 229r, 340, 381-382.