G-2 | Reception and Orientation
Apart from a formal pre-arrival program, the
internet, social media, mobile phone apps, and the
tools of distance learning can facilitate this process
in three ways: (1) to deliver information and give a
sense of cultural context to international ministers
before their arrival; (2) to begin establishing rapport
between the international ministers and the com-
munities that will receive them; and (3) to assist the
vetting process, for example, by conducting initial
assessment interviews or testing.
After a potential international pastoral minis-
ter applies for service in the United States, a video
link can enable an interview. This interview form
offers a way to assess linguistic competency. A video
interview can also facilitate initial psychological
screening with, of course, appropriate safeguards
for privacy in place. These forms of electronic
communication do not allow for a comprehensive
screening process, but they offer the possibility
of an important initial assessment.
2
Finally, in a
very helpful way, video interviews can be used in
advance of a visa process.
The various receiving church communities can
produce web-based introductory content for interna-
tional pastoral ministers prior to their arrival. The
content might include basic information about life
in the United States, about the region where the
ministers will serve, and about the particular com-
munity where the ministers will serve. The content
can be delivered by means of documents, videos, and
other interactive learning tools. The creation and
maintenance of these pre-arrival programs is rela-
tively inexpensive and not labor intensive once the
content has been developed. These programs can be
developed collaboratively by groups of institutions
and communities. The flexibility of the different
learning tools allows for a mix of formal content
and more personal “snapshots” of the receiving com-
munity. Finally, the content of these programs can
2 In the course of managing its pastoral grant programs, the Office of
National Collections of the USCCB works closely and extensively
with many dioceses, eparchies, and religious communities through-
out the world. Consider contacting the National Collections Office
for background information regarding sending dioceses, eparchies,
societies, or institutes of other countries related to the exchange of
pastoral ministers. National or regional associations of international
clergy and religious in the United States can also be helpful for the
vetting process and for reception, for example: African Conference of
Catholic Clergy and Religious in the United States. (ACCCRUS);
African Catholic Clergy Association (ACCA); African Women
Religious Conference (AWRC); Asociación Nacional de Sacerdotes
Hispanos (ANSH); Asociación de Religiosas Hispanas en los
Estados Unidos (ARHEU); Federation of Vietnamese Catholics in
the USA; Korean American Priests Association (KAPA).
provide testimonials from international pastoral
ministers who are already serving in the region.
Internet and video connections can link inter-
national pastoral ministers with the specific commu-
nity that they will serve, if that designation has been
made. This pre-arrival contact enables the individ-
ual minister’s smooth entry into the community and
establishes their connection with it. Video contact
can also surface potential difficulties that might
need attention.
The diocese, eparchy, institute, or society should
assemble a packet of documents to inform interna-
tional pastoral ministers of policies and practical
details of their ministry in the United States.
3
These
documents can be sent in advance by email. The
content of the packet will vary according to the
size, conditions, and policies of the diocese, epar-
chy, institute, or society. In those instances where
the local assignment is already established, the
packet may include information pertaining to that
particular assignment.
When a diocese, eparchy, institute, or society
receives multiple ministers from the same region,
officials or representatives of the receiving commu-
nity might visit the sending community and meet
with potential ministers in their home environment.
Although such a visit entails an expenditure of time
and money, it clearly demonstrates respect for the
sending community and offers an effective means
to achieve genuine insight into the qualities of the
potential ministers.
Stage 2: Welcome and
Initial Orientation
Welcome
The quality of the first “hello” is crucial to the success
of the reception process. Two considerations need
to be kept in mind. The first is the extraordinarily
high stress level of the journey itself. The arriving
individuals are likely to be physically exhausted by
the journey and emotionally spent after the fare-
wells to family, friends, and community. They will
probably have been subject to intrusive and lengthy
3 The canon law considerations chapter of the
Guidelines
calls for a
written agreement governing the work and living arrangements of
the minister. That document will cover most of the information
suggested here. Nonetheless, it is likely that the more technical lan-
guage and information of such an agreement may need to be supple-
mented by this packet.