Teaching Preaching
Teaching Preaching
Podcast Description
In "Teaching Preaching: Forming Today's Homilists," Dcn. Steve Kramer and Kiki Latimer discuss a new and required depth of preaching the word of God within the Mass. This calls for a new and deeper appreciation of communication skills. The homilist may no longer stand separately on the shoreline nor drift in the safety of shallow waters, rather he must have the faith of Peter to “put out into deep water.” This requires depth of soul, depth of character, depth of vulnerability, and depth of skill. When Christ asks Peter to “put out into the deep water,” Peter considers his level of faith in Jesus and decides, by grace, to do so. This is a pivotal moment; without this affirmative decision there will be no catch. It is no different for the homilist today. The intimacy and depth of the effective homily requires an affirmative decision to put out into the deep. May this book help you, the homilist, put out into the deep and thereby, allow the homily to reach its four sequential destinations: the home of the Mass, the home of the Intellect, the home of the Heart, and the home of the Will, the domestic Church where homily is lived out.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on themes such as the art of preaching, the relationship between theology and homily writing, and the personal growth required for effective communication. Notable episodes include discussions on the differences between academic writing and homily composition and the integral role of vulnerability and depth in delivering impactful messages.

In “Teaching Preaching: Forming Today’s Homilists,” Dcn. Steve Kramer and Kiki Latimer discuss a new and required depth of preaching the word of God within the Mass. This calls for a new and deeper appreciation of communication skills. The homilist may no longer stand separately on the shoreline nor drift in the safety of shallow waters, rather he must have the faith of Peter to “put out into deep water.” This requires depth of soul, depth of character, depth of vulnerability, and depth of skill. When Christ asks Peter to “put out into the deep water,” Peter considers his level of faith in Jesus and decides, by grace, to do so. This is a pivotal moment; without this affirmative decision there will be no catch. It is no different for the homilist today. The intimacy and depth of the effective homily requires an affirmative decision to put out into the deep. May this book help you, the homilist, put out into the deep and thereby, allow the homily to reach its four sequential destinations: the home of the Mass, the home of the Intellect, the home of the Heart, and the home of the Will, the domestic Church where homily is lived out.
In this episode of Teaching Preaching, Dcn. Steve and Kiki Latimer interview Dr. Rick Howick on the Fulton Sheen Excellence in Preaching Initiative, which was created to strengthen preaching skills among priests, deacons, and laity through ongoing formation and an AI-based feedback system.
The program includes a summer institute for 35 priests and plans for broader diocesan expansion, with Lilly grant funding that reduces participant costs from $1,500 to $750, plus travel. Participants also discussed future events in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, potential guest speakers, the need for dynamic preaching, and plans for a preaching conference scheduled for January 5–7, 2027.
https://sheenpreachinginitiative.org/

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