Stage 1 Enquirer’s
What is the Enquiry Program?
The Enquiry stage recognises that not all Seekers are immediately ready to enter formal discernment. The program provides a dedicated space for exploration, formation, and growth in Christian ministry before moving to consideration for Ordained Ministry.
Throughout Enquiry, candidates cultivate essential practices including regular prayer, personal reflection, and active participation within their parish. The program fosters spiritual companionship, connecting Enquirers with mentors and fellow participants for shared learning.
Flexible Entry - Entry and exit at various points based on individual readiness
Annual Cycle - Program runs continuously but has two main points of entry each year.
Multiple Pathways - Intended to respond to each individual’s sense of call and understanding
Joining the Program
The Enquiry program is intentionally flexible, allowing for entry and exit at various points based on individual readiness and discernment. While participation does not guarantee progression to formal discernment, clear expectations are agreed to regarding commitment to the process and engagement with both individual, parish and cohort group activities.
Program runs continuously but has two main points of entry each year. These are full day programs held in February and July.
Those wishing to move to the more Formal Discernment and Reflection Program will need to participate fully as an important preparation for consideration for Ordained ministry.
Generally people will join the program following a discussion with their local priest. Support from your local priest and community is essential.
Personal Learning Plan
A Personal Learning Plan is a tailored plan designed to support your growth and discernment throughout the program. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, the plan recognises that each person comes with a different story, set of experiences, and sense of vocation. It helps identify the areas in which you may need encouragement, challenge, formation, or practical experience, and provides a clear framework for how these can be explored over time. The aim is not to create pressure, but to offer a thoughtful and supportive pathway that helps you engage the program with purpose and clarity.
Your Personal Learning Plan will be developed as part of the cohort program days, in conversation with you and with those supporting your discernment. This may include your local parish priest, a discernment companion, and staff from Clergy Development, Training and Wellbeing. Together, they will help shape a plan that fits your context and supports your ongoing formation in faith, ministry, and self-understanding. For someone considering joining the program, this means you can expect a process that is both personal and well-supported, helping you reflect more deeply on your calling and whether God may be leading you toward a next step in ministry.
Companioning
An essential element of the program is the understanding the discernment is a communal activity. During the enquiry phase this should occur within their normal faith community. Depending on the context a suitable person or small group is formed for the purposes of
- Observing the Enquirer in their vocation exploration
- Meet monthly talk about a different aspect of your faith and calling.
- helping the Enquirer to better understand the promptings that have led you to explore a vocation to ministry.
- deeply listening to how God is at work in the life of the faith community, as well as in the life of the Enquirer.
Local Cohorts
The ACSQ spans a wide geographical area. Regular travel to Brisbane can limit participation in diocesan programs, while online-only engagement can reduce the communal aspects of discernment and formation.
To address this, local Hubs will be established across the Diocese.
These Hubs will provide spaces for connection, reflection, and shared learning within the Enquirer’s Program, supporting deeper engagement with vocation and discernment. Their shape and focus may vary by context.
Where appropriate, Hubs will be locally hosted and coordinated by local Training Clergy. Some Hubs may require additional support from the CDTW team or other suitably experienced clergy. Hubs are likely to emerge in locations where there is already momentum for vocational discernment and formation, or where there is a clear geographical or strategic need.
The shape and focus of each Hub may vary in response to the location and circumstances of participants, allowing for appropriate flexibility. It is currently envisaged that Hubs will meet approximately eight times per year, with each gathering lasting between 90 and 120 minutes. Where required, the CDTW team may also provide shared resources, oversight, or complementary online elements to support local participation.