Applicants to the Kateri Institute must receive a supportive recommendation from their pastor/administrator/parish life director or diocesan agency director. This is distinct from any financial support that a parish may give to a participant.

During the course of the three year process, participants are encouraged to provide their parish or agency leader with periodic, informal updates about their experiences in the program. More formally, they are encouraged to share their Mid-Program Self Reflection with their leader. In addition, participants will complete the End of Program Discernment Process with their parish or agency leader. This process allows participants the opportunity to reflect upon their  entire three year experience, and together with their leaders discern how God is asking them to serve the community.