School of Ministry

One of the great blessings of my ministry in the last two and a half years has been to serve as Dean of the School of Ministry for the diocese of Fresno. This office was initiated by our bishop as part of the “Vision for the Future” program, viewing the needs of our diocese for the coming decade.

The School of Ministry specifically develops qualified lay ministers for our diocese. Our master’s degree program, through Holy Names University in Oakland, conducted live by video conference classes each week in Fresno and Bakersfield, will graduate its first class at the end of this year. The lay ministry formation certificate program New Wine / Vino Nuevo is also forming laity from throughout the diocese. Using the same video technology, classes are conducted in Fresno, Visalia, and Bakersfield in English and Spanish.

Both of these programs are inspirational to me because of the level of dedication and faith exhibited by all the participants and teachers. One prospective M.A. student recently told me that she is really excited about growing in church ministry because she experiences a new vibrancy in the church and excitement among people to share their faith and grow in their knowledge of Christ through his church. Wow!

Despite so much bad news which the media continues to blare out against the Catholic church, faithful Catholics continue to realize that Christ abides with us through His Spirit, despite our human failings and faults. Maybe because of them since Jesus knows how much we need his amazing grace. We are the church, with all our shortcomings and failings; Christ is operative in all the baptized and we need His strength all the more because of the challenges present in our days. Such has it always been ― that so many people continue to “get it” and get the Good News is truly an inspiration.

Those interested in registering for our next cohort of the M.A. program should contact Holy Names University directly ― and soon ― since the registration deadline is fast approaching. Contact Mary Turowski at turowski@hnu.edu or by phoning (510) 436-1139. Contact your parish office or the School of Ministry here at the diocese of Fresno for information about when our next New Wine / Vino Nuevo programs will begin.

Fr. David Norris

Dean of School of Ministry

Holy Names University MA in Pastoral Ministries

Next Class Opens August 31 - Apply Now

On August 30, 2010 Holy Names University in partnership with the Dioceses of Fresno, Oakland and Stockton, will open the next M.A. Pastoral Ministries cohort, bridging students together through real time video conferencing. Encouraging each other, together they will develop pastoral skills of leadership and collaboration to serve the people in our richly cultural and diverse communities. Adults will gather together to begin their studies in theology, scripture and catechesis. They will share stories and prayer, engage in active discourse, theological reflection and social analysis, growing in their understanding of what it truly means to be the Body of Christ. They will be supported by their family, friends, and instructors to “nurture in themselves a deep and powerful hunger for formation, willingness to learn and grow, and desire to serve the Lord with excellence and generosity. “ (Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord, 2005). Every aspect of the program emphasizes pastorally based theological reflection, integrating intercultural and ecumenical perspectives, and the values of Catholic Social Teaching.

To join this dynamic group of individuals who have demonstrated their passion for further studies to promote the mission of the Church in service to their community and have accepted the responsibility for this task, APPLY TODAY to begin your advanced studies in Pastoral Ministries. To learn more about how you can be part of this educational endeavor, please contact Mary Turowski at 510-436-1139 or Turowski@hnu.edu. Classes are held on Monday evenings from 6PM to 10PM at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Fresno and St. Francis Parish in Bakersfield.

Fr. David Norris
Dean of the School of Ministry
Office of Ministries
(559) 488-7474 ext. 104
Fax: (559) 493-2847
dnorris@dioceseoffresno.org

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Find out what the Diocese of Fresno is doing to protect our children and youth at www.dioceseoffresno.org/abusepolicy.html

Entérese a través del sitio de la Internet de lo que la Diócesis de Fresno está haciendo para proteger a nuestros niños y jóvenes www.dioceseoffresno.org/abusepolicy.html