What is the purpose of the program?
The M.A. Scholarship Program in Theology provides financial assistance to those persons who are studying to become Directors of Religious Education Pastoral Associates in a parish. In certain situations, diocesan personnel will be considered.
A Director of Religious Education is the individual hired by the parish who is qualified to be responsible for the administration of the parish's total catechetical effort as set forth by the pastor. The DRE is usually a fulltime member of the staff and is chiefly responsible for planning, organizing, and guiding the parish religious education program. The DRE is to recruit, screen, and train catechists to teach the faith to parishioners.
A Pastoral Associate is a professional minister who shares with the pastor or onsite pastoral team in the overall care of the parish. He/she is usually a fulltime member of the staff and is accountable to the pastor. The ministry of the Pastoral Associate is comprehensive, relating to all aspects of parish life, with designated responsibilities, i.e., liturgy, faith formation, pastoral care of the sick, ministry of consolation, administration, etc.
Who is sponsoring the program?
The Pastoral Institute and the Office of Religious Education are the sponsoring agencies. Financial assistance is provided by the Alive in Hope Foundation of the Diocese of Brooklyn. The scholarship award is based on the financial need of the individual student.
What are the components of the program? Spiritual Formation: theological reflection groups, days of reflection, prayer, liturgical life in the parish. Academic Preparation: the completion of a Master's Degree or Graduate Certificate in Theology, Pastoral Ministry or Religious Studies. Pastoral Skills: competencies in those areas that contribute to effective parish leadership, e.g., communication, team building, group dynamics, conflict resolution, etc.
What college will offer the academic component?
Currently students study at St. John's University in Jamaica and at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington. Both institutions provide financial assistance.
Who can apply to the program?
Women and men who have completed a bachelor's degree (with a 3.5 grade average) and who are interested in serving the Church as fulltime compensated ministers. The program is also open to those who have a Master's Degree in a field other than theology (e.g., education, administration, social services) and who need to supplement it with theological studies. A Graduate Certificate in Theology (18 credits) would answer their need.
What criteria are considered when accepting an applicant into the program?
Because we have a significant number of candidates for this program, the following criteria will be considered when accepting a person who is in need of a scholarship:
The applicant is willing to minister in a geographic area that is under-served by professionally prepared lay ministers.
The applicant currently works for the Church.
The applicant has completed the two-year lay formation program sponsored by the Pastoral Institute.
Age consideration.
Ability to complete the academic requirements at St. John's University.
How long will it take to complete the program?
St. John's requires 33 credits for a Master's Degree and 18 credits for the Graduate Certificate. The time required for completion will depend on the number of courses an individual can take during any semester. Colleges generally stipulate the outside time limit for completing the degree.
How will the degree be financed?
Financing will depend on several factors: the individual's contribution, diocesan scholarships through the Alive in Hope Foundation, and the college's discount in tuition.
The applicant is responsible for all fees including general fees, books, matriculation fees, etc. The diocesan scholarship is granted for tuition only.
What is involved in the application process?
The applicant submits a Statement of Interest to one of the sponsoring agencies - either the Office of Religious Education or the Pastoral Institute.
If the Statement of Interest indicates that the applicant has the potential for graduate level studies, he/she will receive a list of the Task Force members. The applicant contacts one member and arranges for an interview.
The applicant will bring to the interview an unofficial copy (a photocopy) of his/her undergraduate transcript.
The candidate will also bring to the interview a letter of recommendation from a member of his/her parish staff.
At the interview the applicant will discuss with the Task Force member the amount of money that he/she can contribute toward the cost of tuition. Applicants will receive a copy of a Covenant (an agreement) that states the responsibilities of both the diocese and the individual.
Applicants will receive a letter from the sponsoring agencies indicating acceptance into the program and the amount of money they will receive as a diocesan scholarship. A member of the Task Force will contact personally those individuals who are not accepted into the program.
The applicant then applies to the college or seminary and follows their application procedures.
