St. Mary's Medical Center - Careers and Education - Clinical Pastoral Education Center

What is CPE?

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is interfaith professional education for ministry. It brings theological students, qualified laypersons, and ordained clergy into supervised encounters with people in crisis.

Out of an intense involvement with those in need, and the feedback from peers and teachers, students develop new awareness of themselves and the needs of those to whom they minister. From theological reflection on specific human situations, CPE students gain a new understanding of ministry. Within the interdisciplinary team process of helping others, they develop skills in interpersonal and interprofessional relationships.

The word clinical (meaning "at the bedside") will define how the learning process is structured. The heart of CPE is ministry with people, and learning from that ministry through reflection, discussion, and evaluation with other students and the supervisor. In your CPE experience:

You utilize verbatim reports, case studies, and other ministry descriptions to present your ministry for supervision.
The focus in some seminars is on what is happening to you, the caregiver, as much as on what is happening to the people receiving your ministry.
There are discussions that assist you in understanding theological issues arising from your experiences.
There are opportunities to learn from behavioral sciences and to reflect theologically so that you can draw from both to understand the human condition.
You are challenged to think about groups and social structures as well as individuals in defining your ministry.
You are a part of a dynamic peer group with other students and your supervisor, which provides opportunities for mutual supervision, care giving, challenge, and appreciation.

Other educational components that are regularly scheduled are:

Didactic seminars in which time for discussion follows a lecture, reading a book or article, or the presentation of a theological concern.
Peer group meetings or interpersonal group sessions, within which time is provided for mutual sharing, caring, support, and challenge for interpersonal learning and personal growth.
Individual conferences with the supervisor that set aside time for the professional, personal, or relationship concern of your choice.
Worship or sharing occasions which provide opportunity for spiritual nurture.
Field trips, half-day or daylong educational conferences, and clinical observations.
Evaluation experiences with the other students and your supervisor.

You will discover that a CPE schedule asks for an active investment, but also provides time for sharing, reflection, preparation, and relaxation.

CPE Program Units

Summer Unit
An intensive full time unit of Level I CPE.

Extended Unit
Units of Level I and Level II CPE are offered each year from September to May.

Residency Program
A four unit program of Level I and Level II CPE beginning in September of each year.

Admission to Program

Admission is based on:

A completed ACPE application with application fee.
An admission interview with a qualified interviewer.
High school diploma or GED equivalent. A bachelor degree from an accredited college or university is preferred.
Participation in some form of theological education/pastoral education and/or active participation in a community of faith
A proven aptitude for interpersonal work, sound mental/emotional health, and the ability to minister in a cross-cultural, interfaith setting.

Cost

A non-refundable $25 application fee submitted with ACPE application (credited toward tuition)
A $300 non-refundable deposit upon acceptance to unit of CPE (credited toward tuition, remaining balance of $250 due on the first day of the unit).
Total Unit tuition: $575
Required books: $30

St. Mary’s Staff

Sister M. Diane Bushee, SAC
Vice President of Mission Integration
Director Carol Mazurek, MAPM
Board Certified Chaplain, National Association of Catholic Chaplains
Rev. Vernon McNear
ACPE Supervisor
Board Certified Chaplain, Association of Professional Chaplains
Assistant Director, Sister Joanne Obrochta, SAC
Board Certification Chaplain, National Association of Catholic Chaplains
Rev. P. Douglas Pendleton, Staff Chaplain
Board Certified Chaplain, Association of Professional Chaplains
Rev. K. Dido Ntontolo, Staff Chaplain
Board Certified Chaplain, Association of Professional Chaplains
Rev. John Benson, Staff Chaplain
Board Certified Chaplain, Association of Professional Chaplains
Sister Rosella Sparks, SAC, Staff Chaplain
Board Certified Chaplain, National Association of Catholic Chaplains
Sister Angela Madera, SAC
Eucharistic Minister

CPE Offices

St. Mary’s CPE Center is a satellite of West Virginia University Hospitals:
Rev. Mary Ragland
Department of Pastoral Care
PO Box 8008
Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-8008
(304) 598-4000 x 73060

ACPE Executive Director:
Rev. Teresa E. Snorton
ACPE, Inc.
1549 Clairmont Road, Suite 103
Decatur, GA 30033
(404) 320-1472
www.acpe.edu

USCCB/CCA Offices
USCCB Executive Director:
Sister Kay Sheskaitis
3211 South Lake Drive, Suite 317
Saint Francis, Wisconsin 53235-3702
(414) 486-0139
www.usccbcca.org

Making Application:

Application can be made in either electronic form by clicking here, or for further information, please contact:
Rev. Vernon McNear, BCC, ACPE Supervisor
St. Mary’s CPE Center
St. Mary’s Medical Center
2900 First Avenue
Huntington, West Virginia 25702
Phone: (304) 399-7465
Email: vmcnear@st-marys.org
FAX: (304)-526-8796

Accredited by
The Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc., www.acpe.edu 1549 Clairmont Road, Suite 103, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4635, Telephone (404) 320-1472
And
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Commission on Certification and Accreditation, www.usccbcca.org 3211 South Lake Drive, Suite 317, Saint Francis, Wisconsin 53235-3702, Telephone (414) 486-0139