Diocese of Trenton Training in Pastoral Care

The Diocese of Trenton offers a 6-day program for all persons involved in pastoral ministry, including visiting the sick, jail or prison volunteers, family caregivers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion who visit nursing homes or hospitals, grief/bereavement counselors, separated and divorced group ministers, Elizabeth ministers, Stephen ministers, and parish pastoral ministers.

Program Information

All sessions are held on Saturdays. Morning sessions run from 10:00 – 12:30; afternoon sessions run from 1:00 – 3:30.

Day 1: 11/17/18

AM Session 1—Pastoral Theology: Understanding Suffering & the Healing Mission of Jesus
PM Session 2—Pastoral Spirituality: Love of God, Neighbor, and Self

Day 2: 12/15/18

AM Session 3—Pastoral Visits: The Nut and Bolts of the Pastoral Encounter
PM Session 4—Pastoral Care "Rituals for Laypersons: Rites for Holy Communion and the Pastoral Care of the Sick and Dying"

Day 3: 1/12/19 (Required for Bereavement Training)

AM Session 5—Pastoral Presence & the Art of Holy Listening: Part I (Skills)
PM Session 6—Pastoral Presence & the Art of Holy Listening: Part II (Skills)

Day 4: 2/2/19 (Required for Bereavement Training)

AM Session 7—Pastoral Care of the Dying: Companions on the Journey Home
PM Session 8—Pastoral Care in the Face of Loss: Ministry to the Grieving
 

Day 5: 3/2/19 (Required for Bereavement Training)

AM Session 9—Pastoral Care via Parish Support Groups: Best Practices
PM Session 10—Pastoral Care of Families Planning Christian Funerals

Day 6: 4/6/19

AM Session 11—Pastoral Care in Mental Health, Aging, Disabilities & Cultural Contexts
PM Session 12—Pastoral Care Matters: The Law, Ethics, & End of Life Healthcare Bioethics

Make-Up: 4/13/19

All sessions missed due to inclement weathers will be made up on this date.

Register Online at: www.dioceseoftrenton.org/pastoral-care

Note: Sessions marked "Required for Bereavement Training" are required as preparation for leadership in Parish-based Beareavement or Separated & Divorced Ministries. Persons with counseling or social work backgrounds may be excused from Sessions 5 & 6, at the discretion of the program administrator. Persons preparing for any parish pastoral ministry are strongly encouraged to take the ENTIRE PROGRAM for the best preparation.