Ask Msgr. Casimir H. Ladzinski about why it was important for him to attend the Summer Institute that was offered for clergy July 3-8 in San Alfonso Retreat House, West End, and he responds with a quick and honest answer.

“You can never stop learning,” said Msgr. Ladzinski, who has held numerous diocesan positions and was pastor of several parishes throughout his more than 50 years of priesthood. “You have to keep up-to-date with what’s going on in our world, in our Church.”

Msgr. Ladzinski, who is now retired and living in Villa Vianney, the diocesan retirement facility for priests in Lawrenceville, was among 60 or so priests and deacons to attend the Institute. which was sponsored by the popular oceanside retreat house. Other clergy hailed from the Dioceses of Brooklyn, Metuchen and Camden as well as from the New England states and Canada.

Redemptorist Father James A. Wallace, retreat house director, explained that among the many offerings that San Alfonso makes available throughout the year, the Clergy Institute and Pastoral Institute are especially noteworthy because they feature presentations relevant to their respective ministries. While the Clergy Institute is for priests and deacons, the Pastoral Institute, which is being held July 10-15, is open to clergy, laity, married couples, single people and religious women and men. Other summer offerings include the five weeklong retreats for women religious held during June, July and August, and the weekend retreat for married couples, scheduled for Aug. 19-21.

Father Wallace noted that 2016 marks the third year that San Alfonso is sponsoring the Clergy Institute. These Institutes were started by Msgr. Andrew T. Cusack, director of formation in the Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University, South Orange, and were held in San Alfonso. Following Msgr. Cusack’s death, another priest directed all of the Clergy Institutes and then three years ago, San Alfonso staff began planning and hosting the events.

After emphasizing that that the two summer Institutes are “not retreats,” but opportunities for continuing education that include prayer services and the celebration of Mass, Father Wallace reviewed the panel of speakers who highlighted this year’s Clergy Institute. Among the top names was Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis, who centered his July 5 address on the “Reflections on the Synod on the Family.” It included sharing insights on Pope Francis’ recently released apostolic exhortation, “Amoris Laetitia” (“The Joy of Love”).

“The action is in the family,” said an enthusiastic Msgr. Ladzinski, who found that topic to be of great interest.

Speaking of how the Church has unceasingly been finding ways to strengthen family life and values, Msgr. Ladzinski said, “We can’t emphasize the importance of family life.” If the parents are the primary teachers of their children in the faith, the Church needs to support them, he said.

Other Clergy Institute presentations focused on “Flourishing In the Ministry” and “Issues of Spiritual and Psychological Self-Care and Spiritual Leadership,” Father Wallace noted. Topics offered at the Pastoral Institute included “Mercy and Justice in the Prophets,” “A Spirituality of Mercy” and “Sin, Shadow and Tenderness in Film.” A lecture on “Luke’s Gospel as the Gospel of Mercy” was also made available.

Regarding the Clergy Institutes, both Msgr. Ladzinski and Father Wallace stressed that equally important to the learning from the presentations is the sharing of camaraderie and insights that can take place among the clergy.

“It’s good for us to share,” Msgr. Ladzinski said. “I met priests from other Dioceses and I learned from them. Sharing is so important.”

For a complete schedule of offerings in San Alfonso Retreat House, visit www.sanalfonsoretreat.org.