March 11-13, 2025| Green Hill, Hyattsville, MD

Join us for this year’s New Leader Workshop at Green Hill in Hyattsville, MD! Designed specifically for those new to leadership in their religious communities, this workshop will feature opportunities to explore some of the most pressing concerns leaders of religious communities deal with. Join us for overviews on safeguarding, formation, finance, personnel, eldercare, canon and civil law, among other topics. Connect with partners who can help you with your leadership ministry, and network with other new leaders who are facing similar challenges!

Registration Options & Deadlines:

  • Preferred Registration
    • Workshop
    • Lodging at The Hotel at UMD
    • Registration closes on Wednesday, February 5 at 5:00 pm ET
    • Cost: $725
  • Commuter Registration:
    • Workshop
    • Lodging on your own
    • Registration closes on Monday, February 24 at 5:00 pm ET
    • Cost: $375

Our goal is that all who wish to come to the New Leader Workshop are able to do so. To help make this a reality, CMSM is able to offer financial assistance for select attendees. If you are interested in learning more about this, please email [email protected]. 

Workshop Overview

We are looking forward to hearing from CMSM team members and topical experts on the following topics during this year’s New Leader Workshop: safeguarding, formation, finance, personnel, eldercare, canon and civil law. Each presentation will be designed to focus in on 2-3 essential points to help new leaders as they deal with the complex reality of religious leadership today.

There is more information below about the daily schedules during the New Leader Workshop.

Schedule

  • 12 pm – Check In and Lunch
  • 1 pm – Welcome, Introductions, What is CMSM? – Fr. Frank Donio, SAC & CMSM National Office Staff
    • An overview of the mission, scope of work, and programming the National Office offers to all CMSM members, as well as introductions to the staff.
  • 1:45pm – 10 in 30 – Fr. Frank Donio, SAC
    • A suggested list of the top ten priorities to focus on as you transition into your leadership role.
  • 2:45 pm – Break
  • 3:00pm – Religious Leadership Conversation – Fr. Frank Donio, SAC
  • 4pm – Leadership Retrospective – Fr. James Herring, O. Praem.
    • A welcome from CMSM president-elect Fr. James Herring, O. Praem. and a reflection on his leadership experience and some of the lessons he has learned from leading his own community. 
  • 4:30 pm – Break
  • 4:45pm – Evening Prayer
  • 5:00pm – Mass – Fr. James Herring, O. Praem.
  • 6:00pm – Dinner

  • 8:30am – Breakfast
  • 9:00am – Morning Prayer
  • 9:15am – Welcome back and Check-In
  • 9:30am – Safeguarding Overview- Dcn. Steven DeMartino
    • CMSM’s Director of Safeguarding Initiatives will present on the safeguarding landscape and discuss safeguarding transition plans during leadership changes. 
  • 10:15 am Break
  • 10:30am – Safeguarding Panel – Dcn. Steven DeMartino, Br. Dan O’Riordan, FMS, Fr. Richard Yevchak, IVE, and Kristin Austin
    • A panel consisting of the chair of our Director of Safeguarding Initiatives, the Chair of CMSM’s Safeguarding Advisory Committee, a current major superior, and an experienced safeguarding minister who will discuss current issues in safeguarding, especially focusing on the Praesidium accreditation standard requirements. 
  • 11:00am – Canon Law – Fr. James Herring, O. Praem. 
    • Canonist and leader Fr. Herring will give an overview of the areas of canon law relevant to leaders in religious life. 
  • 12pm – Lunch
  • 1pm -Welcome back/processing
  • 1:15pm – Civil Law – Philip Ward
    • A set of essential points for new leaders to keep in mind when engaging with civil law, from experienced attorney Phil Ward, who has worked with multiple religious congregations over many years.
  • 2:10pm – The Resource Center for Religious Institutes (RCRI) Introduction
    • A video introduction from CMSM partner RCRI, highlighting their work in canon law, civil law, and finance, as well as the resources they offer to religious communities. 
  • 2:15pm – Eldercare – Fr. Myles Sheehan, SJ
    • A presentation from eldercare expert, medical doctor, and former provincial Fr. Sheehan, focusing on how leaders can promote healthy aging for men religious. 
  • 3:15pm – National Religious Retirement Office
  • 3:20pm – Break
  • 3:35pm – Finance – Fr. Kevin Kennedy
    • Fr. Kevin Kennedy, a former CFO, will share several essential points for leaders to know in the area of finance.  
  • 4:20pm – Check-in
  • 4:30pm – Break 
  • 4:45pm – Evening Prayer
  • 5:00pm – Mass
  • 6pm – Dinner

  • 8:00am – Morning Prayer
  • 8:15am – Mass
  • 8:45am – Breakfast
  • 9:15am – Check-In
  • 9:30am – National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC) Introduction
    • A video introduction from CMSM partner organization NRVC, discussing their work supporting vocations and the resources they offer. 
  • 9:35am – Vocation – Fr. Michael Heine, OFM Conv.
    • Fr. Heine, chair of the CMSM Formation and Vocation Committee, will discuss several keys areas for leaders to focus on as they support and direct the vocation efforts of their communities. 
  • 10am – Formation – Fr. Ron Mercier, SJ
    • Fr. Mercier, currently the delegate for formation for the Jesuit Conference of the United States and Canada and former provincial of the Central and Southern Province of the Jesuits, will discuss four insights from his time in leadership and formation: identifying and supporting good formators, balancing the good of the man and the institute, understanding the consequences of ‘giving a chance,’ and the essential focus of formation in the charism. 
  • 10:30am – Break
  • 10:45am – Personnel – More information coming soon! 
  • 11:30pm – Wellness – Fr. Quinn Conners, O. Carm. 
    • An introduction to wellness for religious leaders, focusing on healthy self-care from the interim President and CEO of the Saint Luke Institute.
  • 12:30pm – Synthesis/Processing – Fr. Frank Donio, SAC
    • A final opportunity to reflect and synthesize your insights from the previous sessions.
  • 1pm – Lunch/End

Logistics

Lodging

For the Preferred Registration option, lodging has been arranged at the The Hotel at UMD. The nightly room rate is included in your registration fee. You do not need to book your own hotel room unless you register for the Commuter Registration option.

  • Hotel check-in on March 11 begins at 4:00 pm
    • The Workshop begins on March 11 at 12:30 pm at Green Hill. We suggest arriving directly to Green Hill and checking in to the hotel after dinner on Monday evening.
  • Hotel check-out on March 13 is at 12:00 pm
  • Extra nights at the hotel are available on March 10 and March 13 should your travel plans require a longer stay.

Arrival/Departure

The NLW will start on Tuesday, March 11 with lunch at 12 pm and conclude Thursday, March 13 after lunch (approximately 2:00 pm).

Airport

We look forward to seeing you. If you have any questions, please reach out to Greta, Director of Communications, at [email protected]  or (240) 394-1851.