Certificate in Catholic Leadership

Employee Partnership Program

For more than a millennium, the university has been understood to be where the Church goes “to think” about questions relating to faith, life, existence, and the common good of society. For almost 160 years, St. Jerome’s University has been serving this need, and preparing generations of leaders for lives of contribution and service to the Church and the world. The Certificate in Catholic Leadership is focused on preparing individuals with the intellectual, spiritual, and experiential formation required for ministerial, educational, medical, and social service to the needs of the contemporary Church and the world.

Testimonials

Bishop Douglas Crosby smiling in front stained glass windows and lighting in a church

I want to offer my very strongest endorsement of St. Jerome’s University’s new Certificate in Catholic Leadership. I know that its emphasis on the importance of broad human formation, including education, spirituality, service and experience will make the graduates of this program an asset to so many areas of apostolic activity in the Diocese of Hamilton, including parish ministry, education, health and social services, by equipping individuals with the knowledge and ability to “think with” the Church to address the challenges facing society today and to build up the People of God.

��- Bishop Douglas Crosby, Diocese of Hamilton

The Certificate in Catholic Leadership has empowered participants from our system to grow in their faith and recognize their unique gifts that they bring to their school communities. ��The program has enriched our staff with faith centered learning experiences, enabling them to bring that faith to their schools in meaningful ways. It has also provided practical tools including ethical reasoning and reflective practices to enhance their decision making and leadership skills. �� The capstone project has united our participants to create a system initiative that has been impactful in engaging each of our school communities in the Jubilee year in meaningful ways. �� The program has also created a faith community among participants from across the Diocese that share similar interests. ��Finally, the mentoring component has provided valuable opportunities for our staff to engage in meaningful conversations with the participants about Catholic leadership and the discernment of their vocational call.��

�� - Lorrie Naar, Superintendent, Halton Catholic District School Board (Employer Contact)

Christina Mines portrait in front of a colourful background

The Certificate in Catholic Leadership has been tremendously effective in enhancing the formation of pastoral leaders for mission in the Diocese of Hamilton. Our experience has been a rich blend of reflection and formation, fostering collaboration and peer-led development that empowers our leaders to minister with confidence and remain deeply attuned to the signs of the times. We are truly blessed to have this certificate program available in our Diocese, and to be supported by a Catholic university that is prayerfully committed to modeling the importance of servant leadership during a time of significant change for our Church and the world.

�� - Christina Mines, Director of Evangelization and Catechesis, Diocese of Hamilton (Cohort 1 Participant and Employer Contact for Diocese)

Michael Lawlor portrait in front of a grey backdrop

The Certificate of Catholic Leadership program offer by St. Jerome’s University allowed me to explore in a cohort model how my faith positively impacts my leadership style. The program featured seminars in ethical reasoning, lectures from high profile Catholic scholars, and monthly opportunities to meet with peers. The practicum and coaching opportunities offered a job-embedded component that helped me to explore how various principles of Catholicism and leadership go together.

�� - Michael Lawlor, Superintendent of Education,��Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board and (Cohort 1 Participant)

Who is this certificate for?

This employer partnership program is designed for organizations in the Diocese of Hamilton, though organizations outside of the Diocese are welcome. Organizations seeking to enhance their employees' growth in Catholic mission-aligned activity or who would benefit from providing opportunities for employees to network and build community to enhance the world and the Church in the Diocese of Hamilton will benefit from this program.��The Certificate is open to anyone working within a Catholic organization from any faith or no-faith background.

Employers should consider sponsoring people in their organizations who:

are considering pursuing a future graduate degree
already have a graduate-level degree in an area that did not focus on mission or leadership

Program Activities

Attend an in-person orientation to meet and network with members of their cohort
Participate in program specific hybrid and online modules related to Ethics and Leadership, Catholic Social Teaching, and Data and Demographic Trends
Choose several Lectures in Catholic Experience to participate in online or in person�� with special opportunities to meet speakers and have conversation with fellow participants at intimate gatherings prior to the lectures for those attending in person
Dedicate themselves to a program of International or Local Service Learning (extra costs for international travel apply)
Connect and reflect during a mid-program retreat at Ignatius Jesuit Centre
Develop a capstone project that benefits their home organization and that further fosters their own vocational call
Benefit from mentorship from an assigned mentor
Celebrate in a culminating ceremony

Program Details

Cost of Certificate

Cost $3,200/student*
*Additional costs may be incurred for travel expenses and accommodations associated with international experiences optionally selected as part of the program.

Certificate Length

Candidates can complete the Certificate in one calendar year

Certificate Format

Both in-person and virtual components