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"I learned very valuable information which will help me in my role as a seminary formator," said Fr. Brett A. Brannen, Vice Rector, Mount St. Mary's Seminary.  "I especially appreciated the review of the anthropological foundations and also the presentations on Discerning Psychological Problems."

Fr. Brannen was one of the 25 participants who attended Psychology Serving Pastoral Ministry, held August 11-15 in Bethesda, MD.

The second annual seminar, sponsored by the Institute for the Psychological Sciences (IPS) and the Sacerdos Institute, attracted seminary rectors, vocations directors, diocesan and religious priests, and lay people involved in seminary formation, spiritual direction, and psychological counseling. 

Speakers included Paul Vitz, Ph.D., Fr. John F. Harvey, OSFS, Fr. James Tucker, S.S., and IPS Founder and Academic Dean, Gladys Sweeney, Ph.D. 
 
A sampling of topics presented included: Clergy-Psychologist Collaboration; Discerning Psychological Problems; The Psychology of Attachment in Vocational Discernment; Enduring Personality Problems; and The Psychological Importance of Fatherhood. 
 
Mass was concelebrated daily by the priest participants, with lay people and sisters in attendance. There were also opportunities for idea-sharing and enrichment, as well as prayer.

"This conference exceeded my expectations. I thank the Lord for this whole experience," commented Fr. Edward Horning, pastor of St. Mary's Parish, El Centro, CA.