National Organization for the Continuing Education of Roman Catholic Clergy

1337 West Ohio Street, Chicago, Illinois 60622-6490 312/226-1890 Fax 312-829-8915

The Convention Booklet containing the 1996 convention presentations of Frank McNulty and John Heagle was sent out in early June. There are a limited number of copies for sale. Information is on the back of this edition of NewsNotes.

We are revising the Membership Directory. If you have any address or telephone number changes, please notify us by August 1.

The Regions that have scheduled meetings for the fall are as follows:

Region VI September 3-4 Sylvania, OH

Region VII September 12-13 Mundelein, IL

Region XI October 13-15 Menlo Park, CA

Region IV October 28-29 Atlanta, GA

Region IX November 4-5 Omaha, NE

Region I November 7 Boston, MA

Region VIII November 11-12 St. Paul, MN

Region V November 18-19 Memphis, TN

Circle your calendar and plan to attend and experience NOCERCC on the regional level. It is a great opportunity to compare notes, share ideas, programs, and enjoy the support of others in the same ministry.

We extend a warm welcome to new Associate Members, Richard Gabuzda of the Institute of Priestly Formation and Vivian Harvey of the Cemanahuac Educational Community.

May the summer days ahead afford you with the time and space for rest, recreation and renewal!

Paul J. Murray, CFX

St. Meinrad School of Theology announces the following fall workshops: September 10-13, 1996, Building Parish Leadership to Shape the Church of the Future, Rev. Eugene Hensell, O.S.B.; September 16-20, 1996, The Creative Parish: A Workshop for New Pastors and Administrators, Rev. William J. Bausch; October 14-18, 1996, A Retreat for Priests: “Keep Listening--Expect God,” Revs. Robert Ray and Paul Scaglione; November 5-8, 1996, Saint Paul, the Corinthian Church, and Contemporary Priestly Ministry, Rev. Eugene Hensell, O.S.B.; October 10, 1996, The Spiritual Call of Later Life: A Day of Reflection for Retiring Priests, Dr. Jane Marie Thibault.

Contact Sr. Barbara Schmitz, O.S.B., Office of Continuing Education, Saint Meinrad School of Theology, St. Meinrad, IN 47677-1020; 800-730-9910; FAX 812-357-6816.

Jude Siciliano, O.P. is currently taking requests for preaching workshops for 1997-1998. He has several workshops designed for priests and/or deacons, the non-ordained, and diocesan ministry days. The emphasis of these practical workshops will be biblical and liturgical preaching. Contemporary homiletic theory and formal lectures will be part of each workshop as well as involving the participants in preparing homilies and preaching. Jude is also available as a retreat director for priests retreats.

Contact Jude Siciliano, O.P., DePorres Community, P. O. Box 12927, Raleigh, NC 27605; 919-833-1893.

The Board of Directors met in formal session on June 28-30 in Techny (Chicago) Illinois. Our agenda included reports from the President, the Executive Director and the Research Committee, and a discussion of the 1997 convention in Orlando, Florida, entitled

Preaching and the Art of Storytelling. Likewise, the Board discussed the theme for the 1998 convention and voted to hold the 1998 convention at the Bahia Hotel in San Diego, chose a theme and site for the 1999 convention, entertained reports on the operating budget for 1995-1996, and approved the operating budget for 1996-1997.

Moreover, the Board reviewed, made final recommendations and approved the Organizational Directions: 1996-2000. We now have nine organizational directions under which flow several goals. These organizational directions will help to enhance the promotion of our mission and address our goals. They become our strategic plan and important reference points for our movement into the future. A copy of the Organizational Directions: 1996-2000 will be sent to you soon.

The Board enjoyed an afternoon session with David and Della Lawrence, co-founders of Catholic Ministry Network (CMN) in Livonia, Michigan, a company they founded to provide online services to Catholic ministry professionals and organizations. Della (MPS student at Loyola University) and David (MBA graduate from University of Detroit Mercy) have been actively involved in parish and diocesan ministry for ten years. Computer and media enthusiasts, they have over the years introduced new technologies to various ministry settings and diocesan conferences. Their focus has always been to create ministerial environments that enable more effective leadership, catechesis and outreach.

By giving the Officers, the National Office, and each member of the Board of Directors a free subscription to this online service, Della and David have made a significantly large in-kind contribution to NOCERCC. In exchange, NOCERCC will promote and encourage our membership to join their service. We have been blessed with this gift from David and Della Lawrence. More information about how you can soon be electronically linked with other NOCERCC members will be coming to you.

Additionally, we welcomed Viatorian Father John Linnan, a faculty member at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, to facilitate a continuing education/formation session for the Board. Through presentation and dialogue, Jack led us in a thought-provoking and challenging conversation about Priesthood: Yesterday and Today.

Finally, the Board’s goal is to have $100,000 in the endowment fund by February, 1998. This fund currently totals $30,518.92 or 30.5% of the goal. The Board affirmed my idea to have a drawing at the 1997 convention in order to raise $30,000. We are asking every member to buy one ticket and sell at least one ticket. Ten tickets were bought by some of the members of the Advisory Council and Board. Watch for the letter explaining this special drawing.

The eight-member Advisory Council met with the Executive Committee on June 26-27. In a joint session with the Board of Directors, the Advisory Council provided us with valuable advice on NOCERCC projects and goals. We are deeply grateful to John and Patricia Sprague (Allen, Texas), Nancy and David Sinutko (Livonia, Michigan), Rev. Paul L. Golden, C.M. (Niagara University, New York), Rev. Rudy Juarez (Davenport, Iowa), Rev. David Garcia (San Antonio, Texas) and Rev. Joseph Alexander (Eunice, Louisiana) for the continued commitment to and support of our mission and goals.

The ten-member NOCERCC Task Force (Rev. Thomas Powers, Rev. Thomas Singer, O.M.I., Sr. Sue Torgersen, C.S.J., Rev. Francis S. Tebbe, O.F.M., Chair, Bro. Paul J. Murray, C.F.X., Rev. Thomas R. Bevan, Dr. Stephen G. Ross, Psy.D., Rev. John A. Keenan, S.S.S., Psy.D., Ph.D., consultants, Mr. Christopher A. Salvador and Mr. Gary Pethe, staff members from Golden Dome Productions) met on June 30-July 1. Our goal is to develop and produce a print and video resource for use by priests in relation to understanding intimacy, sexuality and boundary issues. This resource is designed for private use by priests, in priests’ support groups, and during a one or two day gathering of priests. More information on this project is forthcoming.

Happy summer days!

Francis S. Tebbe, O.F.M.

The Jesus Caritas Triennial National Assembly entitled Fraternity: Journey to the Heart will be held at the Archbishop Cousins Catholic Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, August 4-9, 1996. Contact Rev. Paul M. Esser, 5700 Washington Ave., Racine, WI 53406; 414-886-0530; FAX 414-886-0737.

The annual conference of the National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries, entitled Called to Teach and Heal will be held September 5-8, 1996 in Williamsburg, Virginia. Keynote speakers are Ms. Paula Ripple Comin and Fr. Gerald Coleman, S.S. Contact NACDLGM, 433 Jefferson St., Oakland, CA 94607; 510-465-9344.

The Religious Formation Conference announces its workshop schedule for 1996-1997. Entitled Community: Life Giving or Stagnant? This workshop will be conducted by John Malich, F.M.S. September 28, 1996 at Marybale, Valley City, North Dakota; October 5, 1996, Oblate Renewal Center, San Antonio, Texas; November 9, 1996, Ursuline Campus, Louisville, Kentucky; January 25, 1997, Mount St. Mary College, Los Angeles, California; March 8, 1997, Trinitarian Sisters Convent, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; April 12, 1997, Mont Marie, Holyoke, Massachusetts.

Contact RFC, 8820 Cameron St., Silver Spring, MD 20910; 301-588-4938; FAX 301-585-7649.

Associate Member Peter’s Way International, Ltd. announces the following pilgrimage retreats for Roman Catholic Priests: November 5-15, 1996, Greece & Ephesus: In the Footsteps of St. Paul, led by Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, C.F.R., $1995 from New York; January 8-18, and January 23-February 1, 1997, Holy Land: In the Footsteps of Jesus led by Fr. Stephen C. Doyle, O.F.M., $995 from New York.

Contact Peter’s Way, International, 25 South Service Rd., Suite 240, Jericho, NY 11753-1065; 800-225-7662; FAX 516-997-4338.

The National Conference on Environment and Art for Catholic Worship entitled Crossings of Space to Place will be held August 17-20, 1996 at the Westin Hotel, Indianapolis, Indiana. The conference is sponsored by the Georgetown Center for Liturgy, Spirituality and the Arts and is hosted by the Office of Worship of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and is an opportunity for people involved in all aspects of church building, renovation, and restoration to gather, learn, and share information.

Contact Conference Services by Loretta Reif, P. O. Box 5226, Rockford, IL 61125; 815-399-2150; FAX 815-332-3474.

Our thanks to John and Patricia Sprague, members of the NOCERCC Advisory Council, who wrote to suggest the following two resources we might find helpful.

James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner’s Credibility: How leaders lose it, Why people demand it (Jossey-Bass, 1993, ISBN: 0-7879-0056-7, $16.50) describes “the discipline of leadership, what it takes to be a credible leader. The language of the book seems most appropriate for parish teams where the pastor considers the parish staff his constituents and he is the facilitator. The book addresses discovering oneself, appreciating constituents, affirming shared values, developing capacity, serving a purpose, sustaining hope. For any situation where there are collaborative efforts being pursued I think this is a good book to read to focus on each person’s part.”

And, Stephen R. Covey’s audiocassette, First Things First (Simon and Shuster Sound Ideas, 90 minutes, ISBN: 0-671-86628-1, $12.00), “rather than focusing on time and things, it emphasizes relationships and results. Instead of efficiency, the new approach emphasizes effectiveness. What I got out of the cassette was a realization that I spend so much time putting out fires, taking care of the ‘urgent’ that I often don’t get what’s ‘important’ done.”

Meetings, Bloody Meetings dealing with the practical side of running an effective meeting and its sequel, More Bloody Meetings which aims to develop the social skills of being a chairperson may be rented at a cost of $25.00 per tape.

Men Vowed & Sexual: Conversations About Celibate Chastity was produced by the CMSM in 1993. Six tapes and discussion guide may be borrowed.

Additional copies of the keynote presentations of Frank McNulty and John Heagle on Priestly Identity and Responsibility are available for $5.00 per copy plus $2.00 to cover shipping and handling for one or two copies, $.50 for each additional copy.

Multiple copies $8.00

Members $10.00

Members $15.00

5,000.00

Rev. Paul Golden, C.M.

Rev. James Kuhns

John and Patricia Sprague

NOCERCC Region XI