is an innovative formation opportunity designed to grow Catholic women as ministers of the Word and preachers.
We equip women with the tools to meaningfully engage with Scripture in their communities and beyond, bringing God’s Word to life through:
Leading liturgies of the Word and Communion services
Guiding OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) journeys
Facilitating Bible study groups and homily preparation sessions
Conducting preached retreats and spiritual reflections
Teaching and preaching in diverse settings:
- Catholic schools and universities
- Hospitals and healthcare facilities
- Prison ministries
- Digital platforms and social media
Our mission creates pathways for women to share their passion for Scripture in ways that transform hearts, minds, and communities.
Program Participants will:
- Claim their identity as proclaimer of the Word of God and preacher more confidently
- Develop an attentive, listening stance toward hearers of the Word of God
- Feel empowered to lead hearers to encounter the Living God
- Grow in competency with Sacred Scripture, Sacred Liturgy and the Liturgical Year
- Grow in the craft of preaching
- Strengthen spiritual and prayer habits that nourish the preaching practice
- Develop connections to a network of Catholic women preachers
- Learn to advocate for opportunities to proclaim the Word of God in a variety of settings
Key highlights of our program include:
Online/Virtual Format
Access our innovative curriculum and interact with your instructors and peers through a state of the art learning management system.
Cohort Model
Nurture meaningful connections and receive personalized guidance. Each cohort, led by experienced mentors, encourages collaboration and provides a supportive network.
Summer Residencies
Full engagement in-person each June on the beautiful campus of Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN, featuring leading voices in preaching, learning laboratory workshops and abundant prayer time.
The program will be firmly rooted in Catholic Scripture and Tradition, calling upon renowned teachers of effective and compelling preaching. Participants will be exposed to a wide range of styles, cultural traditions and approaches to proclaiming the Word of God and preaching.
The journey over 22 months follows a liturgical rhythm, with times for orientation, coursework, prayer and reflection, listening and encounter, in person gathering and one-on-one spiritual accompaniment.
Time Commitment
Time Commitment Length of Program: 22 Months
Anticipated Workload: 5-7 hours a week when online courses are in session; 2 hours a week when preaching circles are in session (more time the week you are assigned to preach).
Summer Residencies: Participants will be required to travel to Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana for a full week in June for intensive residency weeks.
Cost
Cost At this time there is no tuition cost for this program. Participants will be expected to pay for prerequisite courses, assigned textbooks, and travel to and from Saint Mary’s College for the required summer residency weeks. Overnight accommodations and meals during the residency weeks will be covered by the grant funding.
Technical Requirements
Technical Requirements Participants will need a computer, reliable internet access and the ability to join Zoom meetings with video and audio service.
Recommended Prerequisites
Recommended Prerequisites If it has been a while since you have engaged in the study of Sacred Scripture or theology, applicants are strongly encouraged to take courses from the McGrath Online Catalog that will best help prepare them for engagement in PROCLAIM. Suggested courses include but are not limited to: