By Mary Stadnyk, Associate Editor

Almost three weeks after their May 20 diaconate ordination by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., Rev. Messrs. Christopher Dayton, Michael DeSaye, James Smith and Rev. Brother Nicholas Dolan reached another milestone in their priestly formation.

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On June 9, the four deacons who are expected to be ordained priests next year received certificates for completing the three-year Clerkship Program that’s been specially prepared for seminarians of the Diocese of Trenton. The four were among 13 from the Diocese in attendance at the Clerkship.

During the Clerkship, which was initiated by Bishop O’Connell in 2015, and hosted through a collaboration with the Diocese and the Center for Church Management and Business Ethics in Villanova University, Villanova, Pa., seminarians spend a week in St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood, Pa., attending intensive workshops and joining discussions on the practical aspects of parish ministry. The topics that are covered are typically not taught in the traditional seminary curricula, such as parish finances, marriage counseling, strategic planning and legal responsibilities related to parish ministry. Topic presenters include faculty from Villanova University as well as Msgr. Thomas Mullelly, diocesan vicar for clergy and consecrated life. At the end of the week, the seminarians are given an exam.

The Clerkship has received very positive feedback, said Msgr. Mullelly, speaking of how important it is that seminarians be sufficiently prepared to address pastoral ministry issues they will likely encounter in future parish assignments. What the seminarians learn during the Clerkship focuses on topics that “do not always fall” under a theological category.

Noting some changes that had occurred with the 2017 Clerkship, Msgr. Mullelly said in addition to the 13 seminarians from the Trenton Diocese who participated in the Clerkship, there were another two from the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic. Bishop O’Connell, Msgr. Mullelly said, had made the Clerkship available to seminarians from the dioceses that comprise the New Jersey Province.

Another change, he added, was that unlike the past two years where the topics were organized according to the seminarian’s year and class, this year, the 15 men were together for all classes.

Though the Clerkship was demanding in terms of time and study, Msgr. Mullelly said the week also gave seminarians an opportunity for camaraderie and to enjoy fellowship. During downtime, the men enjoyed visiting sites such as the Philadelphia Art Museum and on June 7, Bishop O’Connell and his priest secretary, Father Michael Wallack, joined them for an afternoon tour of the Museum of the American Revolution and dinner.

Reflecting on having completed the Clerkship, Rev. Mr. Dayton reiterated its importance, saying it provides future priests and pastors with the tools that they will need to run a successful parish and an understanding of the many different aspects of parish life.

He noted one class he found important was on church security.

“We spent time talking about financial security, but there is also physical security to make sure that all parishioners are safe and that safety precautions are made,” he said. “The class just expanded my view of the entire picture of church management.”

Rev. Mr. Dayton added a word of appreciation to Bishop O’Connell for his support of seminarians.

“It’s in sending seminarians to programs like this that we realize the Bishop really supports his priests and wants them to do the best that they can in their ministry,”  he said.