Stages of Seat of Wisdom Diocesan Institute Program Development
1.) August 2007 through April 2009: Much informal feedback from priests, principals, teachers, directors and coordinators of religious education, youth ministers and catechists was solicited. Many other diocesan programs were investigated and observed. Those closely examined included the Dioceses of La Crosse, Green Bay, Toledo and the Archdiocese of Denver. We are grateful for the guidance provided by the personnel of these respective diocesan offices.
2.) June 2009: After gleaning the best ideas and suggestions from the sources mentioned above, and while taking into account the current structures, resources, policies and priorities of our diocese, the first version of the Seat of Wisdom Diocesan Institute Program Overview was drafted, also intentionally providing a framework for further development.
3) June to August 2009: Upon completion of the June 2009 draft, the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis (OEC) submitted this proposal to approximately a dozen school principals and DRE’s, several youth ministers and school teachers, kindly requesting their services in reviewing it and providing feedback.
4.) August 2009: After receiving many enthusiastic responses from this process, and indispensible suggestions for refinement and improvement, the OEC updated that draft and presented it to our beloved pastors and priests for their review, feedback and suggestions.
5.) August 2009: While incorporating updates from our priests, the draft document was posted on the OEC web site inviting any interested party to read it and give us suggestions. This invitation was present in our OEC E-News newsletter for several issues.
6.) September 2009: The Seat of Wisdom Diocesan Institute began classes at the Bishop O'Connor Pastoral Center, the Cathedral of St. Raphael, and throughout the year, at 12 other regional parishes across the Diocese of Madison.
7.) Following a successful year of course offerings, the Program Overview was updated periodically even through April 2010.
8.) April 2010: Bishop Robert Morlino announces the new Standards for Educators in Catholic Parishes and Schools published by the Catholic Bishops of the State of Wisconsin. The Seat of Wisdom Diocesan Institute fulfills the requirements for the Diocesan Certification portion of those standards in the Diocese of Madison.