St. Charles Borromeo Seminary is partnering in a national effort to strengthen priestly formation through mentorship, led by Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon and funded by a $10 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. under its Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative.
The program will train mentors to guide transitional deacons and newly ordained priests during the Vocational Synthesis Stage, helping ensure a smooth transition into parish ministry.
St. Charles joins other partner institutions including St. Mary Seminary in Cleveland, Ohio, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, Fla., and the St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn.
As part of the initiative, St. Charles will design and implement mentor training programs, host regional workshops, and provide ongoing evaluation to ensure new priests receive guidance in their early parish assignments.
Archbishop Nelson Pérez praised the initiative, saying it equips priests for the pastoral, administrative, and relational challenges of parish life.
“This collaboration reflects our unwavering commitment to forming priests who are prepared for the pastoral, administrative, and relational challenges of parish life,” he said. “By investing in mentorship, we ensure that our newly ordained priests receive the guidance and support they need to flourish in ministry and serve God’s people with joy and integrity.”
Seminary rector Father Christopher Redcay added, “Forming mentors who, in turn, form pastoral leaders is among the most important work we can do for the life of the Church.”
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