Seminary Department Staff

Monsignor Jeremiah McCarthy
Executive Director
seminary@ncea.org

Kathy Schmitt, M.Div.
Associate Editor, Seminary Journal

The Seminary Department of the National Catholic Educational Association serves seminary staffs throughout the United States. The purpose of the department is to increase the effectiveness of seminaries in their mission of the formation of priests. We do that through networking, research, representation, and leadership development -- see the programs listed below. The formation of men for priesthood is crucial for the future of the Church. It is important that seminary staff members' perspective be broader than their own seminary. Together we are smarter and wiser than we are individually; staying connected with others working in the same ministry of priestly formation allows us to achieve excellence in the field of seminary education.

Annual Rectors Meeting
Church leaders and theological educators address various issues and current aspects of priestly formation at an annual gathering of seminary rectors, usually held in late January. There is a chance for dialogue with other rectors, deans, directors of formation, and faculty. It is an opportunity to raise issues that need to be brought to the bishops' attention from a national perspective.

The 2013 Annual Rectors Meeting will be January 29-31 at the Rigali Center in St. Louis, with accommodations at the Drury Inn. It will be preceded by a New Rectors Workshop held January 28-29 in the same location. For more information, email seminary@ncea.org.

Institute for the Preparation of Formation Staff and Advisors
The next Formation Institute will be in May 31 - June 7, 2013. It will be held at Theological College in Washington, DC. For more information, email seminary@ncea.org.