Fifteen priests from the Diocese of Camden celebrated their successful completion of Good Leaders, Good Shepherds (GLGS) on Monday, June 22, at St. Pius X Spiritual Life Center in Blackwood
Good Leaders, Good Shepherds is a two-year clergy leadership development program of the Catholic Leadership Institute (CLI).
A prayer service at St. Pius X was followed by dinner and ceremony at the Tuscan Tavern in Blackwood.
The participating priests are the first class from the diocese to complete the program.
“Our local church continues to proactively plan for our future so as to be faithful disciples and responsible stewards; I am grateful for the ministry of Catholic Leadership Institute as they assist me in facilitating high level, pastoral leadership skills in the lives of our priests,” said Bishop Joseph Galante.
Along with the Diocese of Camden, Catholic Leadership Institute is ministering to the bishops and presbyterates of an additional 31 United States dioceses.
“We are blessed to be ministering with the good shepherds of the Diocese of Camden. Our mission is to help priests recognize their God-given potential and develop their leadership skills so they can effectively and confidently lead their faith communities in carrying out the mission of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church,” said Father Bill Dickinson, National Director of Leadership Development.
Good Leaders, Good Shepherds is designed to equip clergy with the relevant, practical and pastoral leadership skills necessary to shepherd a parish and support the governing office of their priesthood. During the two-year program priests learn about the various contexts in which they lead, and specific skill sets within each context will help them lead most effectively.