Come and see: A parish model for seminary formation

The primary purpose of the dissertation was to give the college seminarians at Borromeo Seminary a more realist environment in which to discern their call to parish priesthood. The parish atmosphere was intended to give better witness to how a priest ministers in a parish and to encourage the faculty to look upon the seminarians in a more pastoral rather than academic perspective.; To develop a parish model the author researched both the theology of parish and the foundations of seminary formation to see in what ways the two were compatible. The conclusions of this research is found in the theological chapter. Surveys were sent to college seminarians across the country to ascertain their images of parish and seminary life. Focus groups were conducted with parishioners to obtain their input into what constitutes a parish. The results of the data gather in found in the analysis chapter.; The model was developed to include many structures in place in local parishes including a Pastoral Council, a Spiritual Life Commission, a Social Justice Commission and an Education Commission among others. A parish bulletin was published weekly and visits were made to two parishes to worship with them and talk to parish leaders.; Surveys were given to the seminarians at Borromeo Seminary in Cleveland, Ohio prior to the implementation of the model and another given after the model had been in place for one school year. Interviews were conducted with selected faculty members to ascertain their opinion of the model.; The author believes that the seminarians were given a realistic experience of parish ministry. More education is needed in collaborative ministry and the efficient conduct of a committee meeting. Collaboration between faculty and seminarians was greatly increased over the past year. The seminarians were somewhat confounded by the lack of efficiency of the collaborative process. The experience taught them what they will have to learn to deal with in parish ministry. The model will be refined and streamlined to better reflect the wording of the Program of Priestly Formation and implemented for the foreseeable future.