Are You Called?

 

 

There are many opportunities for ministry in the Independent Catholic Church of the West (ICCW)- teaching, liturgy, healing, prayer, and community care are just a few. Please contact one of our parishes or the ICCW Office to begin exploring your calling. 

 

For those who are already ordained or if you are exploring a call to ordained ministry, please take a look at the requirements for ordination in the ICCW as a deacon or priest.  You will find contact information here as well.

 

In addition, the ICCW is the home of the Grey Robe Monks of St. Benedict- an ecumenical  Benedictine Community.  For more information about the community, please follow the link above.

 

We look forward to working with you as you follow your calling!

 

 

 

 

 

Ordination Requirements for Deacon Candidates

In the Independent Catholic Church of the West

 

 

 

1.      You must be Christian.

2.      You must be Catholic.

3.      You must be Called.

4.      You must be Educated.

5.      You must be Trained.

 

The normal expectation is that all candidates for deacon will have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university and be enrolled in a M.Th. program of study.  

A case-by-case determination will be done for each person applying for candidacy to deacon.

 

How to Get Started:

 

Send us an email to Rev. Jeff Graves at Jeff@goodshepherdcommunity.org

and explain your situation and ask whatever questions you have.  Generally, we will want you to send us by email or snail mail the following items:

 

1.    Name, address, telephone numbers (home, work, cell) and email address.

2.    A current resume and listing 3-5 references.

 

3.    Send us a photo 3X5, a photo of your drivers’ license, and your social security number (all will be kept confidential and will not be given to others).

 

4.    Do you have a spiritual director?   If yes, who is the person?  If no, we will assist you in finding one.

 

5.    A short paper addressing your personal history.  Give us a sense of who you are and the experiences you have had in your lifetime.

 

6.    Address the following items in your paper, devoting no more than two pages to each:

 

 

 

You must be Christian.

Please write in detail about your faith, its development and current state.  What do you believe and how is your belief revealed in the behaviors of your daily life?

 

You must be Catholic.

Please write about your Catholicism.  What has been your relationship to church, and how has that relationship evolved?  Please be as specific and personal as you can.

 

You must be Called.

Please write about your understanding of calling.  What is your sense of calling from God, and from the community?

 

You must be Educated.

Please describe your education thoroughly, showing how this education prepares you for ordained ministry.

 

You must be Trained.

Please describe what supervised experiences or practical formation in ministry have prepared you for ordained ministry?  How will you demonstrate your ability to preach, teach, administer sacraments, and speak effectively in various public settings?

  

Prior to ordination, the following items are required:

 

7.    Photocopies of baptismal, confirmation, and ordination certificates (if applicable); copies of educational transcripts, letters of excardination from other jurisdictions (if applicable), and three letters of recommendation.

 

8     Complete a criminal background check (finger print card) and psychological screening.  (Costs for these are paid by the applicant).

 

 

The Vocation Director will work with you throughout the process.  Our Consulting Psychologist will work with you concerning the criminal background check (finger print card) and psychological screening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordination Requirements for the Priesthood

Independent Catholic Church of the West

 

 

 

1.      You must be Christian.

2.      You must be Catholic.

3.      You must be Called.

4.      You must be Educated.

5.      You must be Trained.

 

 

All candidates for the priesthood will have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university and a M.Th. or M. Div. Degree.   A case-by-case determination will be done for each person applying for candidacy to the priesthood.

 

How to Get Started:

 

Send an email to Rev. Jeff Graves at Jeff@goodshepherdcommunity.org and explain your situation and ask whatever questions you have.  You will send us by email or snail mail the following items:

 

1.    Name, address, telephone numbers (home, work, cell) and email address.

2.    A resume and list 3-5 references.

3.    Send us a photo 3X5, a photo of your drivers’ license, and your social security number (all will be kept confidential and will not be given to others).

4     Do you have a spiritual director?  If yes, who is the person?  If no, we will assist you in finding one.

5.    A paper addressing your personal history; give us a sense of who you are and the experiences you have had in your lifetime. 

6.    Address the following items in your paper, devoting from two to three pages for each:

 

You must be Christian.

Please write in detail about your faith, its development and current state.  What do you believe and how is your belief revealed in the behaviors of your daily life?

 

You must be Catholic.

Please write about your Catholicism.  What has been your relationship to church, and how has that relationship evolved?  Please be as specific and personal as you can.

 

You must be Called.

Please write about your understanding of calling.  What is your sense of calling from God, and from the community?

 

You must be Educated.

Please describe your education thoroughly, showing how this education prepares you for ordained ministry.

 

You must be Trained.

Please describe what supervised experiences or practical formation in ministry have prepared you for ordained ministry?  How will you demonstrate your ability to preach, teach, administer sacraments, and speak effectively in various public settings?

  

Prior to ordination, the following items are required:

 

7.    Photocopies of baptismal, confirmation, and ordination certificates (if applicable); copies of educational transcripts, letters of excardination from other jurisdictions (if applicable), and three letters of recommendation.

8.    Results of a criminal background check (finger print card) and psychological screening.  (Costs for these are to be paid by applicant).

 

9.    All candidates for priesthood MUST complete the M.Th. degree.

 

The Vocation Director will work with you throughout the process. 

 

The Consulting Psychologist for our jurisdiction will work with you to complete psychological screening.