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

NOCERCC’s twenty-fourth national convention was held February 3-6, 1997 in Orlando, Florida. Judging from the evaluations of the participants, the convention was a very enriching, relaxing and worthwhile experience.

Our main presenters were very well received. Sr. Joan Delaplane, O.P. set the tone for the week with her keynote presentation entitled Emmaus Every Sunday. Rev. Tom Boomershine, during the next three days, actively engaged the participants in Preaching and the Art of Storytelling. The printed resources from these presentations will be sent to the membership this spring. Video and audio tapes are available from Veranda Communications. Please consult the enclosed order form.

Our spring projects here include publishing the convention presentations, Summer Listings, revising Sabbatical Programs, and preparing for the spring Executive Committee meeting in Chicago, April 11-13.

The following spring regional meetings have been scheduled: Region I, May 22, Brighton, MA; Region XI, May 18-20, Los Altos, CA.

We are happy to welcome new Associate Member, Bishop David Walker of the Diocese of Broken Bay, New South Wales, Australia. David along with Judith Glaister, R.S.M. attend our convention each year representing the sabbatical program, The Sydney Experience.

Blessings of the coming Paschal season!

The Institute for Priestly Formation announces a Mini-Sabbatical Program for Diocesan Priests, January 5-30, 1998, at the Oratory Center for Spirituality at Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Going beyond programs of continuing education, this twenty-six day program offers a time of spiritual formation to help foster the spirituality of diocesan priests. It features an atmosphere of rest and leisure, an eight day silent directed retreat, spiritual direction, and seminars on prayer and finding God in everyday busyness, sexuality, celibacy and priestly life, discernment and everyday decisions, and personal and liturgical prayer.

Contact: Rev. Richard J. Gabuzda, The Institute for Priestly Formation, 320 N. 20th St., #1208, Omaha, NE 68178; 402-449-6384; Fax: 402-280-2423.

Weston Jesuit School of Theology invites experienced ministers to spend a sabbatical year or semester as a member of its supportive community of faith. This flexible program offers a range of opportunities for learning, reflection and recreation, tailored to each participant’s needs. Weston Jesuit is located in the historic district of Cambridge, Massachusetts, close to many intellectual and cultural attractions.

Contact: Admissions Office WJST, 3 Phillips Place, Cambridge, MA 02138-3495; 617-492-1960; Fax: 617-492-5833.

We enjoyed another successful convention in Orlando! We thank the national office staff, Paul J. Murray, C.F.X. and Kathleen M. Glynn for their extra work and care, Patrick Donahoe, T.O.R. for his excellent convention coordination, the presenters and exhibitors, all who sponsored refreshments during the breaks, and all those who participated in our 24th annual convention. Our convention provides multiple opportunities for dialogue, networking, reflection and camaraderie.

Fifteen persons participated in the pre-convention workshop for new directors. This workshop experience provides a valuable opportunity to network with each other and identify supportive resources for our ministry. We extend a warm welcome to all new members of NOCERCC!

It was a pleasure to honor Reverend Walter J. Burghardt, S.J. with the third annual President’s Distinguished Service Award and Reverend Thomas R. Bevan, a priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, with the Pope John XXIII Award. Again, our congratulations to Father Burghardt and Father Bevan!

The Board of Directors held its annual convention meeting on Monday, February 3. The Board received updates on our Organizational Directions, chose the site of New Orleans and discussed possible themes for the 1999 convention. The 1998 Convention Planning Committee made an extensive progress report, Tom Bevan gave a report on the activities of the Bishops’ Committee on Priestly Life and Ministry, and the Board reviewed the financial report and the written reports from the President and Executive Director.

A special thanks to all who supported and bought or sold tickets for the endowment drawing. We are pleased that this activity helped to raise $10,400 for the endowment fund. Congratulations to our winners, Rev. Paul L. Golden, C.M. (President, Niagara University and member of the NOCERCC Advisory Council) and Rev. James A. Holtz (Diocese of Gaylord, Michigan).

The NOCERCC Task Force to develop and produce a print and video resource for use by priests in understanding intimacy, sexuality and boundary issues held its final meeting after the convention in Orlando on February 7-8. We anticipate having this resource, Priestly Relationships: Freedom through Boundaries, available for distribution by May.

The Governing Board of the Catholic Coalition on Preaching (CCOP) held its meeting on February 14 in Chicago. The Board approved its mission statement: The Catholic Coalition on Preaching recognizes the primary importance of preaching in the Catholic church and seeks to promote and energize quality preaching in the United States. Likewise, the Board identified seven goals: To research the problems and corresponding needs in preaching today and provide resources in this major ministry; To sponsor workshops and programs for the shaping of effective preaching; To help to create supportive and motivating networks of preaching throughout the local churches; To support the NCCB in its efforts to create a national consciousness about the primary importance of the preaching ministry; To influence seminaries and theology schools to intensify their focus on preaching in the formation of their candidates for ministry; To address the needs, problems and possibilities related to the empowerment of Sunday preaching on the local level; To suggest ways to involve hearers of the Word in appreciating, evaluating and developing preaching. I will continue to keep you updated on the work of the CCOP.

The next meeting of the NOCERCC Executive Committee is April 11-13. Please contact me if there is an item you would like this committee to address.

Francis S. Tebbe, O.F.M.

Seton Hall University’s National Institute for Clergy Formation announces its Tenth Summer Institute for Priests, June 22-July 25, 1997, at the San Alfonso Retreat Center (on the shore) in West End, New Jersey. For a booklet describing the extensive offerings and outstanding presenters, contact: National Institute for Clergy Formation, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey 07079; 201-761-9739; Fax: 201-275-2382; E-mail: nifcf@lanmail.shu.edu.

The Marianella Centre announces three summer workshops: God Created... and the Word Became Flesh, and the Spirit Became Song, June 14-20; Celebrating Biblical Women’s Stories: Listening to Our Own Stories, June 23-17, 1997, Martha Ann Kirk, C.C.V.I. and Rufino Zaragoza, O.F.M.; Human Sexuality: Energy for Relationships and Service, August 11-15, 1997, Fran Ferder, F.S.P.A., and John Heagle.

Contact: Seamus Enright, CSsR, The Marianella Centre, 75 Orwell Road, Dublin 6, Ireland; 011-353-1-492-2688; Fax: 011-353-1-492-9635.

The National Pastoral Life Center announces the dates and places for the upcoming workshops designed for anyone who is beginning a pastorate: July 13-18, 1997, Weber Center, Adrian, MI; August 24-29, 1997, Marywood Center, Jacksonville, Florida. Presenters will include Msgr. Philip Murnion, Dr. Patricia Kelly, Msgr. Douglas Doussan, Rev. William Griner, Sr. Donna L. Ciangio, Sr. Mary Angela Shaughnessy, Rev. Raymond Kemp, and Rev. John Hurley.

Contact: Donna L. Ciangio, O.P., National Pastoral Life Center, 299 Elizabeth St., New York, NY 10012-2806; 212-431-7825; Fax: 212-274-9786.

The New Life Center announces its 1997 schedule of spring and fall workshops and seminars: What Questions to Ask of a Psychological Evaluation, April 7-8, September 8-9; The Contemporary Priest: A Continuing Education Workshop, April 21-22, October 13-14; Human Sexuality: Clerical and Religious Issues, September 29-30; Dealing With Difficult People, April 14-15, September 29-30; Caring for the One Who Ministers, September 15-16; Transition/Retirement, October 20-21. All workshops are held near Washington, DC.

Contact: Sr. Carla Przybilla, P. O. Box 1876, Middleburg, VA 20118; 800-982-6216; E-mail: NEWLC@DELPHI.COM.

Drs. Joseph and Eileen Connolly invite you to sign up for a week of personalized coaching and skill development at one of their upcoming Institutes in Effective Group Leadership. The next Institutes are: June 22-18 and October 19-25 in St. Louis, July 6-12 in San Francisco, and July 20-26 in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Programs include personal and professional practice and theory in: Developing Leaders, Having Productive Meetings, Building Christian Communities, Mission Effectiveness, Improving Self-Concepts, Effective Presentations, Conflict Management, Decision Making, Problem Solving. Over 30,000 individuals and 1,500 organizations have participated.

Dr. Joseph Connolly has developed a new workshop entitled People-Centered Homilies. In the people-centered homilies, the speaker bases the talk of the lives and experiences of the congregation. The people and their lives become the living content of the homily. The next workshop is scheduled for the San Francisco area July 1-3, 1997.

Contact: Communications Center #1, 214 Meramec Ave., St. Louis, MO 63105; 314-863-7267; Fax: 314-863-7263; E-mail: ComContrl@aol.com.

Mercy Center of Colorado Springs offers both individual and group mini-sabbaticals from three to thirty days for men and women who are in search of their personal growth and healing. Offered during 1997: Health Care Retreat, May 18-24; Healing the Father Wound, June 21-17; Spiritual Directors Renewal/Training Program, June 28-July 26; Training for Inner Healing Providers: Healing Family Relationships, August 2-8; Healing Childhood Wounds, August 9-15; Healing the Scars of Abuse, August 16-22; Healing the Whole Person, August 23-19; CONSCIOUS CELIBACY: Common Sense Life Skills for Personal Happiness, October 5-10; Anger Workshop: Resolving Grief, Fear and Anxiety, October 12-17.

Contact: Mercy Center, Inc., 926 North Farragut Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80909; 719-633-2303; Fax: 719-633-1031.

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

Shadow on the Family: AIDS in Religious Life was produced by the CMSM and the Catholic Health Association. One video tape and leaders guide may be borrowed.

First Things First an audio tape by Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, may be borrowed.

Seton Hall University’s National Institute for Clergy Formation announces its first Spring Institute at All Hallows College, Dublin June 1-6, 1997. Contact: National Institute for Clergy Formation, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey 07079; 201-761-9739; Fax: 201-275-2382

NOCERCC Advisory Council Member and President of Thomas More Publishing, John Sprague, calls our attention to a wealth of new resources on the Second Vatican Council by theologian and author Bill Huebsch: Vatican II in Plain English (set of 3 books: The Council Itself; The Constitutions; The Decrees and Declarations); Constitution Booklet with Study Guides (set of 4); CD/ROM: Destination: Vatican II; Videos: Vatican II: The Faithful Revolution (set of 5 videos). For informaion and catalog contact Thomas More, P.O. Box 9521, Allen, TX 75013-9521; 800-264-0368; Fax: 800-688-8356.

Dr. Nathan Kollar, husband of Rochester Diocese director of continuing education Judy Kollar, offers workshops on the following topics: What We Share and How We Differ From Other Religions in the U.S. and/or Canada; New Age and the Occult; Spiritualities of Suffering; A Wholistic Approach; Thank God! Theologies of Grace and Revelation; Coping with Personal and Social Change; Spiritualities of Aging. Contact: Dr. Nathan Kollar, 4224 West Lake Rd., Canadaigua, NY 14424-8314; 716-396-0943; E-mail: kollar@sifc.edu.

Sr. Carla Przybilla, Ph.D. and Thomas Drummond, Ph.D. of the New Life Center offer workshops to dioceses and religious communities on: The Relationship of Spirituality and Sexuality; Boundaries, Homosexuality; Self-Esteem; Rage and Anger; Role and Identity of Priests; Workaholism, Stress and Burn-out; Depression. Contact: Sr. Carla Przybilla, P. O. Box 1876, Middleburg, VA 20118; 800-982-6216; E-mail: NEWLC@DELPHI.COM.

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

Shadow on the Family: AIDS in Religious Life was produced by the CMSM and the Catholic Health Association in 1989. One video tape and leaders guide may be borrowed.

40,000.00

10,000.00

St. Anthony Dominican Priory, New Orleans, LA

Serra Club, Saginaw, MI

Rev. Enrique Terriquez

Rev. Thomas DiFolco

Rev. H. Schmidt

Rev. John J. Houlihan

St. Joseph Province, Xaverian Brothers, Milton, MA

Rev. Don A. Piraro

Rev. Raymond Halligan, O. P.

Rev. Philip Fink, O.F.M., Cap.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank J.Settecerri

Ms. Anna Persich

Mrs. Mary E. Tebbe

Rev. William Hopkins

Ms. Jean Feterl and Ms. Myrna Angelucci

Rev. Francis S. Tebbe, O.F.M.

Rev. Dennis Strachota

Rev. Ronald W. Metha

Rev. John P. Hopkins

Mr. and Mrs. James J. Hanosh