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The Institute for Leadership in Ministry provides theological education, leadership training, and pastoral/spiritual formation for those in the Church of San Jose who have demonstrated the ability or the potential to serve as leaders.  Through classes, readings, written assignments, workshops, reflection, prayer, discussion groups, consultations with faculty and administration and membership in the Institute community, students come to a knowledge and appreciation of what it is to be Catholic and are prepared to exercise servant leadership in the Diocese and in their parish communities.

The Institute for Leadership in Ministry responds to the reality that all of us, clergy and lay, are called by virtue of our baptism, to use our gifts to build the reign of God.  Those whose talents include the ability to lead must be theologically trained and pastorally formed.

The Institute is in its seventh year of training lay people for leadership in the Diocese of San Jose.  Students spend two years studying Scripture, Theology, the Church, Sacraments, and Morality and the Social Justice teachings of the Church on Wednesday evenings.  In addition they spend one Saturday a month on pastoral practical topics such as Communication Skills, Prayer, Conflict Resolution, the Ethnic Cultures of the Diocese, and Adult Faith Formation.  The third year is devoted to a specific ministry focus such as catechetics, liturgy, social justice, etc. as well as several evening sessions dealing with issues such as ethics in ministry, stewardship, and detention ministry.  

The faculty is drawn from Santa Clara University, St. Patrick’s Seminary, the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Stanford University, and our own Diocese.  Both Bishop McGrath and Bishop DuMaine teach in the Institute.

Of the 52 parishes and worshiping communities that make up the Church in San Jose, 49 have either graduates or current students in the Institute—93% participation.  

In addition to its three year program the ILM sponsors the Permanent Deacon and Advanced Lay Leadership Formation Program which is designated to train leaders for ecclesial ministry in the parishes of the diocese.

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