Guide to Ongoing Formation for Priests

104 | GUIDE TO ONGOING FORMATION FOR PRIESTS

for growth in ministry. 219 Both pastor and mentor need to attend to any signs of physical, emotional, or spiritual distress in the new priest. On the positive side, this attention means encouraging regular spiritual direction and prayer, exercise, and healthy living. When the pastor or mentor notes danger signs such as isolation, depression, anger, or substance abuse, he needs to bring those concerns to the man and to the delegate of the dioc esan bishop. In preparing mentors and pastors for their respective roles in peer support and supervision, planners may find it useful to consider already existing programs or collaboration with other dioceses.

FINAL NOTE

259. The elements described in this appendix require considerable effort, resources, and commitment on the part of a diocese. Where geog raphy permits, dioceses may find it advisable to join in shared efforts. For those crafting the ongoing formation program, seminary formation programs and several national and regional ongoing formation programs offer useful resources and advice.

219 Rubrics offer characteristics or qualities that serve as goals and wayposts in ongoing formation. In catego ries such as homiletics, ministry with youth, pastoral care of the sick, and so on, the rubrics offer concrete descriptions of a skilled practitioner in these areas. The sixth edition of the USCCB’s Program of Priestly Formation is a useful resource in developing these rubrics.