The Areté Centre for Missionary Leadership has opened applications for its 2027 Foundations of Missionary Leadership program, which encourages Catholics to be formed to lead with purpose in today’s Church.
Now entering its eighth year, the program continues to form missionary leaders from across Australia and New Zealand through a unique blend of theological formation, human development, spiritual formation and practical leadership skills designed specifically for the Australian context.
This year’s cohort reflects the growing diversity of people seeking deeper formation for mission.
Participants include parish volunteers, emerging leaders, experienced ministry leaders, Catholic Educators, and for the first time, three Catholic priests undertaking the program alongside laypeople.
Their presence highlights a core conviction of the Areté Centre: that formation is lifelong, and God always has more to teach those who desire to serve His Church.
The inclusion of clergy also responds directly to one of the strongest themes emerging from this year’s Synod in the Sydney Archdiocese: the longing for shared formation between parish priests and lay leaders, learning together as collaborators in the Church’s mission. Areté’s model uniquely offers a concrete and hopeful answer to that call.
Areté Centre director Fr Chris Ryan MGL said this development is both encouraging and timely.
“It has been a great blessing to have three priests undertaking the program this year alongside lay participants. Their involvement is a powerful reminder that none of us ever ‘finish’ formation, and there is always more the Lord wants to give us.
“When clergy and laypeople learn together, it strengthens the unity, trust, and shared purpose our parishes are longing for.
“This was a clear theme in the Synod, and Areté is helping to make it a lived reality. I would love to see even more priests join us in 2027 and embrace this model of formation that can truly renew parish life.”
The program comprises four integrated units:
● Spirituality of Missionary Leadership
● Theological Foundations of Mission in the Australian Context
● Principles of Missionary Leadership
● Evangelisation and Leadership in Practice.
Interested applicants can visit aretecentre.org to apply and download the e‑prospectus.
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Applications for the Areté Centre’s Foundations of Missionary Leadership Program Open for 2027 (Arete Centre/Missionaries of God’s Love)
