DIOCESE OF MARQUETTE SABBATICAL POLICY FOR PRIESTS INTRODUCTION Priestly formation is a process which continues throughout all of life. It requires a willingness on the part of each priest to respond to the Spirit and take responsibility for his own personal and ministerial growth. The diocese, too, has a responsibility to provide opportunities, resources and time for this development. The importance of continuing formation flows not only from the personal needs of the priest, but also from the needs of the Church community which he serves. The priest needs an opportunity for spiritual and theological updating, physical and psychic renewal, and development of ministerial skills required for effective ministry. The priest also needs a clear sense of his unique ministry and profession, so that a high level of morale, self-fulfillment and satisfaction is maintained in the presbyterate. The Church community is entitled to a sense of excellence and professionalism when they express their faith and are served by their spiritual leaders. Sabbaticals mark in a special way the commitment of the diocese to the call to renewal in the Church, both for the individual priest and for all the People of God. POLICY The diocese will provide the opportunity and funding for sabbaticals for all eligible priests and pastoral coordinators according to the following procedures and criteria. All eligible priests/pastoral coordinators are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity for continuing formation. The diocese will provide assistance throughout the entire sabbatical process.
PROCEDURES 1. Definition A sabbatical is an official extended period away from current ministry and responsibility for the purpose of ministerial, personal, spiritual and theological development and enrichment. The sabbatical is distinguished from: 1. a vacation, for which the primary purpose is rest, relaxation and recreation; 2. a sick leave, for the primary purpose of regaining one s health; 3. and from special studies which are normally of greater length and are a preparation for a distinct official post. (e.g. Canon Law studies in preparation for Tribunal work). The ordinary length of a sabbatical is four months. A request for an exception to the length of the leave can be made to the Diocesan Director of Continuing Education for his consideration when the special needs of the priest/pastoral coordinator or the purpose of the sabbatical requires a program that extends beyond four months. During the time a sabbatical is being planned, allowance should be made for a period of time after the end of the official program for some rest and integration before re-entering current ministry and responsibilities. The sabbatical leave will be granted for recognized sabbatical programs. 2. Eligibility a) A priest/pastoral coordinator will be eligible for a sabbatical after each ten years of service in or for the diocese. b) Every reasonable effort will be made to provide sabbatical leave for individual priests/pastoral coordinators when requested. Circumstances may limit the number of priests/pastoral coordinators who can be absent from the diocese at any given time. Two sabbaticals a year will be granted.
3. Funding a) The diocese will pay: the cost of the program, room, board and transportation to and from the place of the sabbatical; the cost of obtaining the priest s/pastoral coordinator s replacement. b) The limit of diocesan funding for a sabbatical is not to exceed $12,000. This includes the cost of the priest s/pastoral coordinator s replacement. The diocese will reimburse only actual expenses for the program, room, board, and transportation to and from the place of sabbatical. Funding is to be arranged through the Diocesan Director of Continuing Education. c) The parish/institution will pay the usual salary and benefits, e.g. health, retirement, etc. d) The priest/pastoral coordinator will be responsible for any amount over the $12,000 maximum. e) When determining the annual amount allotted for sabbaticals, an inflationary increase will be considered. APPLICATION PROCESS a) Those planning to request sabbatical leave must contact the Diocesan Director of Continuing Education before submitting an application for leave to the Bishop. The Diocesan Director will serve as a resource for planning. b) Application for a sabbatical leave is to be made in writing to the Bishop at least six months in advance. c) All costs of the sabbatical are to be submitted at the time of application. d) Following approval by the Bishop of the application, the priest/pastoral coordinator is to consult with the Diocesan Director of Continuing Education concerning his/her intended sabbatical program. e) The individual priest/pastoral coordinator is responsible for obtaining his/her replacement. The diocese will provide assistance in locating a replacement. f) Final approval of the sabbatical leave will be made by the Bishop.
EVALUATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY a) Upon return from a sabbatical, the priest/pastoral coordinator will meet with the Diocesan Director of Continuing Education to evaluate the program. b) The priest/pastoral coordinator will provide a written summary of their program/experience (no longer than two pages in length) for future reference by others considering sabbaticals. c) With the assistance of Diocesan Director of Continuing Education, priests/pastoral coordinators who have completed a sabbatical will be encouraged to share the fruits of their sabbatical with colleagues and the people of the diocese. Some possibilities include: presentations in parishes and deaneries written articles or interviews in the diocesan newspaper Responsibilities of the Director of Continuing Education with Regards to Sabbaticals The duties of the Diocesan Director of Continuing Education are as follows: a) keep current with regards to various sabbatical programs offered for priests/pastoral coordinators; b) maintain resources and information on various programs to assist those eligible for sabbatical leave; c) oversee the administration of the annual sabbatical funds; d) assist sabbatical candidates in preparing a sabbatical plan; e) contact the priests/pastoral coordinators on sabbatical leave during the course of their sabbatical program; f) meet with priests/pastoral coordinators upon their return to the diocese to evaluate the sabbatical experience. g) and maintain an archive of reviews on sabbaticals accomplished by priests/pastoral coordinators. Approved by the Priests' Council and the Bishop of the Diocese of Marquette at the regular Priests' Council Meeting of May 4, 2000.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * By means of this general decree, I hereby establish the above policy as particular law within the ecclesiastical region of the Diocese of Marquette and as binding upon the faithful of the same Diocese of Marquette, according to the norms of the Code of Canon Law (1983). June 1, 2000 Date Most Reverend James H. Garland Bishop of Marquette Reverend Alex K. Sample Ecclesiastical Notary
Sabbatical Application Priests/Pastoral Coordinators Diocese of Marquette Name Date Parish/Institution Phone Dates of Proposed Sabbatical (Include starting and finishing date) Title of Sabbatical Institution Sabbatical Site Director/Phone Contact Summary of Proposed Sabbatical Experience: Costs: Program Please submit to the Diocesan Director of Continuing Education Room/Board at least six months prior to the proposed sabbatical. Travel Diocese of Marquette Replacement of Director of Continuing Education Priest/Coordinator of Clergy P.O. Box 550 Total Cost: Marquette, MI 49855