Today, the University of Dallas’ Ann and Joe O. Neuhoff School of Ministry announced that it will begin offering a certificate program in pastoral ministry in cooperation with the Catholic Diocese of Dallas. The program begins in fall 2016 and will provide theological education for adult volunteers who serve in parishes, schools and other Catholic organizations. Additionally, the program is designed to provide foundational pastoral and theological resources to those entering professional ministry with a range of new courses.

“I’m enthusiastic about this joint venture,” said Ted Whapham, the ministry school’s dean. “We are offering a new path for volunteers to gain dynamic ministry training and learn more about their Catholic faith, while strengthening our service to the Diocese of Dallas.”

Upon completing the program, parish ministers will be prepared to work across a variety of volunteer ministries. Developed in conjunction with the Dallas Diocesan Ministries Office, courses are taught by the ministry school’s nationally recognized faculty and cover such topics as prayer and spirituality, ministry in a multicultural church, Christian anthropology, and morality and social justice. Students also earn an endorsement in a ministry-specific field like catechetical ministry, pastoral care, liturgical ministry, marriage and family life, or youth and young adult ministry.

“The pastoral ministry program will enable us to train and inform parish ministers and give them a strong foundation theologically and pastorally,” said Diocese of Dallas Director of Ministries  Sister Theresa Khirallah, SSND. “I’m thankful the diocese and the University of Dallas are able to partner, because this is going to give us better-formed parish ministers.”

The certificate in pastoral ministry will be offered at four locations throughout the diocese: Saint John Paul II High School in Plano, the Catholic Conference and Formation Center in Dallas, All Saints Parish in Richardson and the University of Dallas in Irving. Online registration for the program is now available.

For more information about the certificate program in pastoral ministry visit udallas.edu/ministry/cpm.