March 3-5, 2026| Bon Secours Retreat and Conference Center, Marriottsville, MD

Join us for this year’s New Leader Workshop at Bon Secours Retreat and Conference Center, Marriottsville, MD! Designed specifically for those new to leadership in their religious communities, this workshop will feature opportunities to explore some of the most pressing concerns leaders of religious communities deal with. Join us for overviews on safeguarding, formation, finance, personnel, eldercare, canon and civil law, among other topics. Connect with partners who can help you with your leadership ministry, and network with other new leaders who are facing similar challenges!

Registration Options & Deadlines:

  • Commuter Registration:
    • Workshop
    • Lodging on your own
    • Registration closes on Friday, February 13 at 5:00 pm ET
    • Cost: $250

CMSM wants every new leader to have the opportunity to attend the New Leader Workshop. If the financial commitment presents a challenge, we invite you to reach out to Chris Pierno to discuss available financial assistance. We’re committed to supporting our members and offering accessible and high-quality programs.

Workshop Overview

We are looking forward to hearing from CMSM team members and topical experts on the following topics during this year’s New Leader Workshop: safeguarding, formation, finance, personnel, eldercare, canon and civil law. Each presentation will be designed to focus in on 2-3 essential points to help new leaders as they deal with the complex reality of religious leadership today.

There is more information below about the daily schedules during the New Leader Workshop.

Schedule

  • 12 pm – Check In and Lunch
  • 1 pm – Welcome, Introductions, What is CMSM? – Fr. Frank Donio, SAC & CMSM National Office Staff
    • An overview of the mission, scope of work, and programming the National Office offers to all CMSM members, as well as introductions to the staff.
  • 1:45pm – 10 in 30 – Fr. Frank Donio, SAC
    • A suggested list of the top ten priorities to focus on as you transition into your leadership role.
  • 2:45 pm – Break
  • 3:00pm – Religious Leadership Conversation – Fr. Frank Donio, SAC
  • 4pm – Leadership Ministry – Fr. James Herring, O. Praem.
    • A welcome from CMSM president Fr. James Herring, O. Praem. and a reflection on his leadership experience and some of the lessons he has learned from leading his own community. 
  • 4:30 pm – Break
  • 4:45pm – Evening Prayer
  • 5:00pm – Mass – Fr. Frank Donio, SAC
  • 6:00pm – Dinner

  • 8:30am – Breakfast
  • 9:00am – Morning Prayer
  • 9:15am – Welcome back and Check-In
  • 9:30am – Safeguarding – Dcn. Steven DeMartino
    • CMSM’s Director of Safeguarding Initiatives will present on the safeguarding landscape and discuss safeguarding transition plans during leadership changes. 
  • 10:00 am Break
  • 11:00am – Canon Law – Fr. James Herring, O. Praem. 
    • Canonist and leader Fr. Herring will give an overview of the areas of canon law relevant to leaders in religious life. 
  • 12pm – Lunch
  • 1pm -Welcome back/processing
  • 1:15pm – Civil Law – Philip Ward
    • A set of essential points for new leaders to keep in mind when engaging with civil law, from experienced attorney Phil Ward, who has worked with multiple religious congregations over many years.
  • 2:10pm – The Resource Center for Religious Institutes (RCRI) Introduction
    • A video introduction from CMSM partner RCRI, highlighting their work in canon law, civil law, and finance, as well as the resources they offer to religious communities. 
  • 2:15pm – Eldercare – Sr. Peter Lillian di Maria, O. Carm.
    • A presentation from eldercare expert Sr. Peter Lillian di Maria, O. Carm., focusing on how leaders can promote healthy aging for men religious. 
  • 3:15pm – Break
  • 3:35pm – Finance – Dcn. Mark Fontana
    • Dcn. Mark Fontana will share several essential points for leaders to know in the area of finance.  
  • 4:20pm – Check-in
  • 4:30pm – Break 
  • 4:45pm – Evening Prayer
  • 5:00pm – Mass
  • 6pm – Dinner

  • 8:00am – Morning Prayer
  • 8:15am – Mass
  • 8:45am – Breakfast
  • 9:15am – Check-In
  • 9:30am – National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC) Introduction
    • A video introduction from CMSM partner organization NRVC, discussing their work supporting vocations and the resources they offer. 
  • 9:35am – Vocation – Fr. Michael Heine, OFM Conv.
    • Fr. Heine, chair of the CMSM Formation and Vocation Committee, will discuss several keys areas for leaders to focus on as they support and direct the vocation efforts of their communities. 
  • 10am – Formation – Fr. Ron Mercier, SJ
    • Fr. Mercier, currently the delegate for formation for the Jesuit Conference of the United States and Canada and former provincial of the Central and Southern Province of the Jesuits, will discuss four insights from his time in leadership and formation: identifying and supporting good formators, balancing the good of the man and the institute, understanding the consequences of ‘giving a chance,’ and the essential focus of formation in the charism. 
  • 10:30am – Break
  • 10:45am – Personnel – Regina Haney and Lisa Pinto
    • Haney and Pinto, with the National Association of Church Personnel Administrators, will present on several important personnel issues such as fair wages, performance evaluations, and difficult conversations.
  • 11:30am – Wellness – Fr. Patrick McDevitt, CM 
    • An introduction to wellness for religious leaders, focusing on healthy self-care from the President and CEO of the Saint Luke Institute.
  • 12:30pm – Synthesis/Processing – Fr. Frank Donio, SAC
    • A final opportunity to reflect and synthesize your insights from the previous sessions.
  • 1pm – Lunch/End

Speakers

Deacon Steven DeMartino
Conference of Major Superiors of Men

Sr. M. Peter Lillian Di Maria, O.Carm.
Avila Institute of Gerontology

Fr. Frank Donio, SAC
Conference of Major Superiors of Men

Deacon Mark Fontana
Conference of Major Superiors of Men

Regina Haney, EdD
National Association of Church Personnel Administrators

Fr. Michael Heine, OFM Conv.
Conventual Franciscan Friars

Fr. James Herring, O. Praem.
Immaculate Conception Priory

Fr. Patrick McDevitt, CM
Saint Luke Institute

More speaker information coming soon!

Logistics

Lodging

For the Preferred Registration option, lodging is available at the Bon Secours Retreat and Conference Center. The nightly room rate is included in your registration fee. You do not need to book your own accomodations unless you register for the Commuter Registration option.

Address: 1525 Marriottsville Rd, Marriottsville, MD 21104

Arrival/Departure

The NLW will start on Tuesday, March 3 with lunch at 12 pm and conclude Thursday, March 5 after lunch (approximately 2:00 pm).

Airport

We look forward to seeing you. If you have any questions, please reach out to Greta, Director of Communications, at gdavid@cmsm.org  or (240) 394-1851.