THE MISSION OF THE
CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
Of the Catholic Health Services and the Diocese of Rockville Centre

In keeping with the mission of Christ, the CPE program provides excellence in professional ministry education, preparing persons of all faiths to provide compassionate and respectful spiritual care to all patients and families.

The program is committed to the formation of women and men in competency as spiritual caregivers to persons of all faiths, and to those who profess no particular religious affiliation.

The program is an action/reflection model of adult education which unites knowledge with process, theory with practice, and theology with ministry, thus combining the practice of pastoral care with qualified supervision and peer group reflection.

The CPE program is built on the foundation of the Mission of Catholic Health Services, the United States Catholic Conference Commission of Certification and Accreditation, the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc., and the National Association of Catholic Chaplains.

Learning objectives of Clinical Pastoral Education :
- To be able to articulate the meaning of the pastoral function, in a manner that is congruent with personal values, assumptions and personality.

•  To be competent in providing pastoral ministry to a diversity of persons, with respect to the operative cultural and ethnic needs, social condition, systems and justice issues.

•  To demonstrate a solid range of pastoral skills, including listening, empathic reflection, conflict resolution, crisis management and the appropriate use of religious and spiritual resources

•  To be able to provide accurate and goal oriented spiritual assessments, integrating behavioral sciences and theology

•  To demonstrate a good level of accountability, productivity, self-direction and clear, accurate clinical communication.

•  To demonstrate competent use of self in ministry and leadership functions, including emotional availability, appropriate self-disclosure, positive use of power, and a peaceful presence that is non-judgmental, and clear and responsible boundaries.

•  To stand as a professional among professionals, establishing collaborative relationships with peers, authorities and professionals.

•  To be capable of realistically self-supervising through the realistic assessment of one's pastoral functioning.

Learning objectives for Supervisory CPE
To be educated in theories related to supervision form theology, professional and organizational ethics, the behavioral sciences and adult education.

•  To practice supervision under the supervision of a certified supervisor.

•  To learn to integrate the theory and practice of supervision in one's identity as a person, pastor and educator.

•  To gain competency in the following areas:

a.  Pastoral care:

• i. To maintain personal integrity and deepen pastoral identity and competency;
• ii. To show ability to function as a professional among professionals on an interdisciplinary team;
• iii. To self-supervise one's on-going pastoral practice.

b. Conceptualization of models and methodology in pastoral supervision:

• i. To articulate and implement a philosophy of CPE which integrates theory with practice;
• ii. To understand principles of organizational and program development.

c. Individual and Group Supervision:

• i. To learn to assist students in taking responsibility for learning and evaluating their functioning;
• ii. To understand and apply professional and organizational ethics in all aspects of the program.

d.  Pastoral Education:

• i. To integrate educational theory, knowledge of behavioral sciences, professional and organizational ethics, theology, and pastoral identity into supervisory function.