Mary Parks had a big idea. As she completed her master’s degree at Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary, she discovered

that, while there were many opportunities for spiritual, intellectual and pastoral formation for those in ministry, when it came to the fourth pillar, human formation, there weren’t as many options.
With the help of a “Big Idea” grant through the Bridge Builders for a Thriving Mission initiative, Parks is now helping fill that gap through a yearlong program involving graduates of Emmaus Institute for Ministry Formation.

Emmaus Institute is a four-year intellectual and ministerial formation program for lay leadership ministry and potential Latino/Hispanic diaconal candidates from the Diocese of St. Cloud, in partnership with Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary. Its purpose is to create well-formed ministers who will serve the mission of the Gospel in their families, parishes, and wider communities throughout the diocese.
St. Pope John Paul II introduced the Catholic Church to the concept of human formation in his post-synodal apostolic exhortation “Pastores Dabo Vobis,” or “I shall give you shepherds,” which discusses priestly formation.
“John Paul II discussed how human formation is to [help you] understand yourself enough so that you can be a bridge to Christ instead of an obstacle,” Parks said. “If you show up [as a minister of the church] and you have a bunch of prejudices and fears and biases, those are going to get in the way. We want to deal with those things so that you can be fully present [to minister].”
Currently, four participants, all graduates of the Emmaus Institute for Ministry Formation, are participating in Park’s first yearlong series. They meet monthly to participate in group training sessions and also attend one-on-one monthly spiritual direction sessions with Parks.
One practice Parks has provided training in is recognizing and acknowledging how one’s body reacts physically and emotionally to certain topics.

Amy Hoeschen, administrator at Sacred Heart Parish, within the Tri-Parish Community ACC, shared she has experienced great fruits from this practice.
“It is interesting how it has opened my mind to sensing [these feelings], Hoeschen explained. “If it is not a positive [feeling], what do I need to do to take care of that?”
The program also focuses on self-compassion and self-care. As someone who describes herself as a person who has a hard time saying ‘no,’ Hoeschen has found this particularly helpful.
“It’s helping me learn that taking care of yourself is very important — giving yourself grace, giving yourself downtime, allowing others to do more things or not being ashamed to say ‘I can’t do it all myself,” she said.
Kristi Bivens, director of lay leadership formation for the St. Cloud Diocese and coordinator of Emmaus Institute, said this kind of a “big idea” is critical to forming leaders across the diocese.
“The USCCB document, Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord states that the goal of human formation seeks to develop the lay ecclesial minister’s human qualities and character, fostering a healthy and well-balanced personality, for the sake of both personal growth and ministerial service,” she said.
“If lay ministers are not attending to their human formation, I believe that will lead directly to burnout. It is so important to be able to attend to our own health and care to prevent this.”
Just as Parks found when she did her initial research, Hoeschen has found that there is not only widespread interest but great need for this type of training.
“It is crazy how many people who, when I make mention about having this class on Saturday mornings have asked how they can incorporate these practices themselves,” Hoeschen said.
The Bridge Builders for a Thriving Mission initiative helps those who are passionate about co-responsibility for the mission of the Gospel grow as bridge builders in an ever-changing church and world.
“Big ideas like Mary’s are important,” said Sam Rahberg, associate director of Bridge-Builders for a Thriving Mission. “They help us practice experimenting in ministry and are inspired by the abundant love of God and in trusting in the possibilities for a community. They allow us to try something new and learn together.”
To learn more about Emmaus Institute, visit Emmaus Institute , and to learn more about Bridge Builders, visit https://www.thrivingmission.org/.