Priests learn leadership, coping skills

8 diocesan priests graduate from first "Good Leaders, Good Shepherds" program

By Maryanne Meyerriecks
Fort Smith Correspondent

FORT SMITH -- Priests from Arkansas and Oklahoma have been spending many hours over the past two years learning how to become better leaders.

On Thursday, Feb. 3, ice and snow blanketed the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, but 20 pastors were far from their parishes at a luncheon at Taliano's Restaurant in Fort Smith.

The priests from the Diocese of Little Rock, Diocese of Tulsa and Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, along with three who were not able to attend, were graduating from the Catholic Leadership Institute, developing and refining their skills as "Good Leaders, Good Shepherds" in a 29-day residency program. The inter-diocesan program was held at St. Scholastica Retreat Center in Fort Smith, which is midway between Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Little Rock.

The Catholic Leadership Institute was founded in 1991 by Timothy Flanagan, a successful Philadelphia businessman, and the late Father Charles Pfeffer, director of the Office for Youth and Young Adults in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The two sought to use their experience in corporate training to benefit the Church and developed programs for youth leaders, priestly formation and lay leaders. "Good Leaders, Good Shepherds" has been taught in 60 dioceses throughout the United States.

Arkansas Graduates Click here

Being snowbound is a minor inconvenience compared to the challenges diocesan priests face, including a diminishing number of clergy and complex circumstances that sometimes require them to lead multiple parishes simultaneously. The goal of "Good Leaders, Good Shepherds" is to help priests minimize the energy and frustration within their administrative roles and give them more time to devote to the pastoral duties for which they were ordained.

"We believe this happens best when priests take time for themselves -- in the company of one another -- to learn, pray, socialize and look to the future with hope," Father Bill Dickinson, national director of leadership development for the Catholic Leadership Institute, said.

"Two years ago, Father Bill (Dickinson) came to the Presbyteral Council to introduce the program," said Msgr. David LeSieur, pastor of St. Vincent De Paul Church in Rogers and Minister to Priests. "There are eight priests from the Oklahoma City diocese, seven from Tulsa and eight from Little Rock (who enrolled in the program)."

The 23 priests met for 29 days of residency divided into 16 segments -- lasting from one to three days each -- over a two-year period.

During their residencies, priests meet and share with one another to learn how to deal with the challenges their individual parishes present.

Father Philip Reaves, pastor of St. Mary Church in Batesville and St. Cecilia Church in Newport, said the program helped him prioritize and become a more effective pastor.

"I think that this class has helped us recognize when we're spinning our wheels and gives us the tools to do what drives us crazy so that we can be where we need to be."

Arkansas Graduates

These Arkansas priests graduated from "Good Leaders, Good Shepherds."

Msgr. David LeSieur, St. Vincent De Paul, Rogers, and diocesan Minister to Priests

Father Gregory Luyet, Immaculate Conception, Fort Smith

Father Barnabas Maria Susai, IMS, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Bella Vista

Father Henry Mischkowiuski, Sacred Heart of Mary, Barling, and Sts. Sabina and Mary, Jenny Lind

Father Erik Pohlmeier, Our Lady of the Holy Souls, Little Rock

Father Phillip Reaves, St. Mary, Batesville, and St. Cecilia, Newport

Father Michael Sinkler, St. Mary, Paragould, and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Walnut Ridge

Father Paul Worm, St. Edward, Texarkana.

---

Please read our Comments Policy before posting.

Article comments powered by Disqus