Adopt-a-Priest

“Everything rises and falls on leadership.”
– John C. Maxwell

Become a Priest

Adopt-a-Priest Today

Ordination is not the finish line. It is the starting block. And it is more important now than ever to surround our priests with SUPPORT, from the very beginning.

But don’t take our word for it. Hear from different priests discussing the challenges they are facing after ordination:

Lack of Mentorship

“Lack of mentorship or formal program of continuing education. Not much support—I felt like I was given a parish without so much as a ‘good luck’ much less anyone checking on me or supporting me.”

(Enter by the Narrow Gate, Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. 2020)  

I Wish Someone Would Ask

“I also wish someone from above would ask me how I am doing every now and then. Our formators were so “on top of us” in the seminary. Then we were ordained, and nobody checks up on us to see how we’re doing, ever.”

(Enter by the Narrow Gate, Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. 2020) 

I Was Unprepared

“My formation did not prepare me for practical issues related to the economic life of the parish. I basically have no idea how banking, taxes, fundraising, etc., work except in vague generalities.”

(Enter by the Narrow Gate, Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. 2020) 

There Could Have Been Better Preparation

“There could be a better preparation for becoming a pastor. Almost nothing was taught about leading a parish on the administrative side. From budgets to HR issues, nothing was taught. Also, some of the liturgical practices were not realistic, from the preaching to the practicum, it was a whole different reality in real life.”

(Enter by the Narrow Gate, Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. 2020) 

How Does a Priest Serve as Leader?

“They didn’t talk about how a priest serves as a leader both with staff and of his faithful. They didn’t cover the nuts and bolts of what a priest does in terms of being able to make decisions.”

(Enter by the Narrow Gate, Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. 2020) 

It Was Omitted From my Seminary Formation

“Seminary did not prepare me for collaborating with others (pastors, staff members, school principals and teachers, etc.) due largely to the fact that the formation staff failed to model healthy collaboration itself. Many practical dimensions of priestly ministry like the role of the priest in Catholic schools, how to utilize parish/finance councils, communication best practices (with staff and with parishioners), were omitted almost entirely from my seminary formation.”

(Enter by the Narrow Gate, Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. 2020) 

“If we look at the crisis in the Church today, it’s a crisis of leadership, among other things…” –Fr. Simon Lobo, CC 

Why Adopt-a-Priest?

Adopt a priest is all about supporting an explosively alive priesthood. It’s about forming young dynamic men into young dynamic leaders. It’s about leadership training and ongoing spiritual support.  

If we are going to see the Church wake up and come explosively alive, we will need an explosively alive priesthood. This can’t happen without ongoing formation and development. 

“Leadership training is a big part of what we are about. In the seminaries, they’re not teaching priests how to lead. They are not teaching them the practical skills needed to lead teams of people, to form them, to equip them, and to commission them. We saw that as being absolutely critical. I believe that is why the Companions are growing and attracting young men, because they not only see the vision, but they’re going to get the training to live it out.” –Bp. Scott McCaig, CC

Adopt-a-Priest Today

Meet the Priests

adopt-a-priest today

Seminary training is not enough. Priests need more.  

This is exactly why we’re investing all funds from Adopt a Priest into the leadership development fund for our priests. We provide:  

Leadership Training

Building effective leaders for thriving parishes.

“I love how different the Companions of the Cross are!”

–CC supporter

“Fr. Mark Goring and Fr. Ken Lao are my inspiration for coming back to the Lord after many years away. Many churches are in a poor state. We need more priests like the above to help with the revival of Catholicism in the world.”

–CC supporter

“Fr. Galen ignited my spiritual life by his example and dedication to his ‘flock’ and the highest esteem his parishioners have for him.”

–CC supporter

“I attend the CCC in Houston, and all the priests from the Companions of the Cross over the years are awesome and brought me into the Catholic faith.”

–CC Supporter

First Year Apprenticeship
Newly ordained priests are mentored by an experienced CC pastor in a parish setting.
Hear from Fr. Daniel Ramos, CC on the first year apprenticeship program.
Read Fr. Daniel's Testimony
Director of Ongoing Formation
Fr. Bryan Sabourin, CC continues the journey with all CC priests, supporting their ongoing formation and especially leadership training!

What is involved in adopting a priest?

  • Spiritual Adoption – Receive a prayer card and pray daily for your CC priest.
  • Financial Support – $30 monthly or $360 annually. This goes to the Companions Clergy Leadership Development Fund which supports the ongoing leadership formation of all CC priests.
Adopt-a-Priest Today

 “This campaign is precious…As a teacher, I know what it is to finish your education and begin working, having only been prepared for portions of my job (the actual teaching part, and not 80% of what I end up doing). Then, we’re basically left to figure everything else out on our own as changes are constantly made throughout our careers. When Fr. Bryan told me of his new position…I immediately saw the importance and it became a mission that was near and dear to my heart. Having a priest designated to support the ongoing formation of his brothers is an amazing idea, and I want to support that mission as much as I can. While I wish I could adopt ALL of the priests, I can only do so much!” –CC supporter

Adopt-a-Priest Today