Workshops
The Pre-Convention Workshop
Monday August 26, 2019 | 1:30am – 4:00pm
“That you may be fully mature, and lacking in nothing.”
With the evolution of new technologies, media, and cultural habits, the minds and hearts of men in our general population require a new level of attentiveness and accompaniment for adequate human formation. Before a man can be conformed to the priesthood, his humanity must be free and receptive enough to move with God’s loving initiative. Consequently, the formator is always asking two discerning questions:
“Is the man letting God into all of his things?” and then, “Is he moving with God through them?”
This afternoon will provide a complete text and engaging forum for unpacking some of the more neuralgic and urgent formational issues that have yet to be sufficiently defined and developed for seminary formation – overcoming SSA, learning chastity, and creating a culture of integral formation for receiving the gift of celibacy in seminary. The texts will provide a roadmap for affective maturity and our discussion will provide the practical scenarios and examples that every vocation director faces in assisting men in their formation and discernment. How do I assess affective maturity? How do I conduct an individual formational session? What can help determine a man’s ability to receive the gift of celibacy? And how do I establish specific goals and thresholds of freedom with the man will all be part of the workshop. It is hoped that well-informed and equipped Vocation Directors will raise the bar for seminaries, both in the candidates that are sent and in the work the seminary can be expected to accomplish.
Rev. Paul Hoesing
Fr. Paul Hoesing is a rural native of the Omaha Archdiocese. He grew up in St. Boniface parish of Menominee, NE. Ordained in 2002, Fr. Hoesing was appointed Director of Vocations in June of 2008 and elected President of the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors in 2013. Since August 2015 he has been the Dean of Seminarians and Director of Human Formation for Kenrick Seminary. He also serves as a faculty member of the Institute for Priestly Formation in Omaha, Nebraska.
Dr. Susanne Harvath
Dr. Susanne Harvath is the Director of Psychological Services and Professor of Pastoral Counseling at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis Missouri. Dr. Harvath also provides counsel for seminarians in Kenrick’s Human Formation Program. She has served the Seminary for 28 years after working as a therapist in private practice, Program Director and lobbyist for the Pro-life Apostolate and Director of Project Rachel. She currently also teaches candidates for the Permanent Diaconate and runs didactic groups for the St. Louis affiliate of St. Luke’s Institute.
