Living as Missionary Disciples

A commitment to daily personal prayer, faithful weekly participation in the Mass, reception of other sacraments (especially the Sacrament of Pen ance), and acts of service, charity, and social justice all contribute to one’s spiritual formation. Pastoral Leaders Embrace Human Formation Human formation includes an ability to empathize and to put other people first. It also includes a willingness to learn active listening skills and to collaborate with the bishop, pastor, and other pastoral leaders. Human for mation involves emotional maturity, the ability to sustain friendships and professional relationships, the management of appropriate expression of anger and affection, and the ability to invite, delegate, and mentor others. Pastoral Leaders Embrace Intellectual Formation Because we were created with both an intellect and will, it is important to have strong intellectual formation. Intellectual formation consists of the study of the Sacred Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church , and important church documents on the New Evangelization. It also draws on a wide range of other disciplines: philosophy, literature and the arts, psychology, sociology, counseling, medical ethics, culture and language studies, business administration, leadership and organizational develop ment, etc. The means of intellectual formation include lectures, discus sions, research, and theological reflection on field experience; The use of technology can expand access to more disciplines of study as well as online communities and learning tools. Pastoral Leaders Are Interculturally Competent In the United States, many of today’s parishes and schools are becoming multicultural parishes. In light of this demographic change, there are new intercultural competencies that are increasingly necessary for effective pas toral ministry. Knowledge, attitudes, and skills in intercultural and interra cial relations are indispensable requirements for engaging in the Church’s evangelizing mission to preach, teach, and witness to the Gospel. This means that leaders of different cultural communities within a single parish will have an intentional engagement regarding their common values as missionary disciples.

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