The 2024 Ministry Discernment Conference offered by the bishops and the Commission on Ministry will be held online on Saturday, Feb. 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This online conference will provide an in-depth look at the 2024 edition of the Ministry Discernment Handbook and give potential inquirers an opportunity to learn about the ordination process in the Diocese of Massachusetts as they consider whether their call is to ordained ministry or committed lay ministry.
Any person considering applying for admission to the ordination process in 2024 should attend the conference, along with a sponsoring priest and at least one member of the parish discernment committee.
Other potential members of discernment committees are also welcome, though it is hoped that the composition of the committee can grow and change with the insights gained at the conference.
Click here for guidelines for setting up a parish discernment committee. It is also hoped that sponsoring congregations will take advantage of this anti-bias tool either in assembling a discernment committee or by discernment committee members as they begin their work with an inquirer.
Inquirers are encouraged to invite family members to join them and bring their questions to the inquirers’ break-out rooms. Break-out rooms will be available in English and Spanish.
Pre-registration online is required. Registration is open here through Feb. 1, 2024.
Questions may be directed to the Rev. Canon Edie Dolnikowski, Canon for Ordained Vocations, at edie@diomass.org or 617-482-4826, ext. 514.