After having to cancel last year's School Pastors' Institute due to the pandemic, we are excited to announce that the SPI will be returning in the summer of 2021. The one notable change for this year's conference is that it will NOT be held at the University of Notre Dame as it traditionally has been. The University has not yet made a final decision on hosting conferences on campus this summer, thus, we have decided to move the 2021 SPI to the University of St. Mary of the Lake, also known as Mundelein. We hope you'll consider joining us for the SPI this year. Please see below for more details regarding this summer's conference.
What is the School Pastors' Institute?
In July of 2011, the Alliance for Catholic Education launched the School Pastors' Institute (SPI), a leadership formation symposium for pastors of a Catholic school. Developed at the request of (arch)bishops from across the country, the SPI is designed to respond to the unique and increasingly complex challenges and opportunities related to serving as a pastor of a parish school. Since 2011, the SPI has formed and served over 1,000 pastors from 145 different (arch)dioceses to look more closely at the crucial role that the pastor plays in the parish school, as well as to foster best practices and collaboration among those engaged in this vital ministry. Now, more than ever, we need pastors understand, support, and advocate for Catholic schools.
Conference Goals and Content
The SPI is animated by our mission to embrace, educate, and empower children, families, educators, leaders, pastors, and others committed Catholic education. The conference will be rooted in three key areas: pastor as spiritual leader, the pastor and principal relationship, and the critical role of the pastor in the Catholic school. Topics will include Catholic identity, financial management and advancement, the formation of personnel, the recruitment of Latino children to Catholic schools, and public funding for Catholic schools. One special area will focus on what we have learned from the pandemic and the future of Catholic schools. The conference will entail breakouts for first-time pastors, international priests who are new to the U.S. Catholic school system, pastors with alternative governance models, pastors of regional or combined schools, pastors of rural parishes, associate pastors, and priests who serve as high school chaplains.
Summer 2021
The 2021 School Pastors' Institute will begin on Monday, June 28, at 5:30 p.m. and will conclude on Wednesday, June 30, at 11:30 a.m. As noted above, this year's conference will NOT be held at the University of Notre Dame as it traditionally has been. Because the University has not yet made any final decisions about having conferences on campus this summer, we have decided to move the 2021 SPI to the University of St. Mary of the Lake, also known as Mundelein. While we will miss not being able to host the SPI on our campus, we look forward to holding this year's conference at Mundelein, the staff of which has been extremely cooperative and helpful in planning this event.
2021 SPI in brief:
- DATES: June 28-30, 2021
Participants are most welcome to arrive early and/or stay late at Mundelein. If you wish to do so, please call the front desk at Mundelein to make the request/reservation (847-970-4908). There is, or course, an additional fee, which should be made payable directly to Mundelein. - LOCATION:
University of St. Mary of the Lake (Mundelein)
1000 E. Maple Ave., Mundelein, IL 60060
Cost and Registration
The registration fee for the 2021 School Pastors' Institute is $500 and includes accommodations, meals, and supplies. Transportation is the responsibility of each participant. If travel should require you to arrive early or stay an extra day, space will be available. Please call Mundelein directly at 847-970-4908 to arrange for this. All registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, and registration will remain open until all spaces have been filled. Due to COVID protocols set by the state of Illinois, our capacity for this year's conference is 100 people.
Please note, if the cost is prohibitive of you attending, there are funds available to cover a portion of the registration fee. Inability to pay the registration fee should not be a reason to not attend. For more information, please contact Fr. Joe Corpora, C.S.C. ()
Registration Update: The registration for the 2021 School Pastors' Institute has now closed. If you're still interested in attending the SPI, please check back in November for information about next year's conference. For any questions in the meantime, please contact Steve McClure ().
