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@cmnonline.com

In October and November, I traveled to the fall meetings of Region V in Memphis, TN, Region VII in Mundelein, IL, Region VIII in St. Paul, MN, Region IX in Liberty, MO. and Region XI in Los Altos, CA. Members came together to share resources and discuss the agenda suggested by the Board of Directors. This year there were lively discussions on the convention theme and site for year 2000, the issue of full membership for non-U.S. dioceses and the election process and by-law change proposals. Members came up with many creative suggestions for the year 2000; most felt that non-U.S. dioceses had ample access to NOCERCC as associate members; all but one of these regions expressed strong support for the Boards’ proposed changes to the by-laws. I will make a full report on all regional meetings in February.

Region VIII set aside time to plan for it’s 1998 bi-annual Summer Symposium entitled Catholic Identity for the 21st Century. Keynote speakers will include Richard Rohr, O.F.M. and Katherine Pinkerton, C.S.J.

Registrations for the 1998 convention are beginning to come into the National Office. Scheduled for February 16-19, 1998 in San Diego, California, the theme is 25 Years: Continuing the Pilgrimage. Register soon and encourage others to join you. Be sure to make your reservations at the Bahia Hotel by January 14 in order to take advantage of the special rates!

Blessings of the coming holy season!

Paul J. Murray, CFX

Formation Consultation Services, Inc., whose mission is to provide initial and ongoing formation services to clergy and religious, has created a new program to help develop support groups or strengthen existing groups within a diocese or community.

The goals of the Support Group Program are: to help priests or religious to assume personal responsibility for their ongoing formation process as human beings, as Christians, and as priests; to enhance their abilities to communicate with each other with heartfelt depth, thoughtfulness and helpfulness in the furtherance of their common goal; to develop sacred space where intimacy, trust and ongoing support can happen. A staff of seasoned professionals is headed by Vincent M. Bilotta, Ph.D., president of Formation Consultation Services, Inc.

Contact: Mr. Stephen Wickson, Formation Consultation Services, Inc., 16 Linden Street, Whitinsville, MA 01588; 800-410-3663; Fax: 508-234-0956; e-mail: sabbath@tiac.net; Web Site: www.tiac.net/users/sabbath.

R.P.I. convocations were held this fall for the Dioceses of Bismarck, North Dakota (September 1-4), Jefferson City, Missouri (September 22-24), Belleville, Illinois (October 13-16) and Salina, Kansas (October 20-23). Convocations are confirmed in seven dioceses in 1998. For information about scheduling R.P.I. convocations in your diocese or province, contact the National Office.

The National Institute for Clergy Formation will hold its 1998 Annual Winter Institute entitled, The Dynamic Pursuit of Truth in the Life of Today’s Priest, January 11-16 at Our Lady of Florida Spiritual Center in North Palm Beach, FL. Presenters include: Rev. Joseph Champlin, Rev. Joseph Fitzmyer, S.J., and Msgr. Andrew Cusack. From January 18-23, the Institute will convene at the University of San Diego, San Diego, CA. In addition to Msgr. Cusack, presenters are: Rev. Paul Cioffi, Rev. Canice Connors, O.F.M. Conv. and Rev. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R.

Contact: Msgr. Cusack, National Institute for Clergy Formation, Seton Hall University, So. Orange, NJ 07079; 973-275-2382; e-mail: nifcf@shu.edu.

The Washington Theological Union welcomes experienced ministers for an academic year or single semester sabbatical. Opportunities include classes at WTU and other schools of the Washington Theological Consortium, workshops on issues of personal and ministerial growth, leisure and recreational activities, attention to the integration of theology and the arts. Comfortable, attractive on-site residence is available. WTU’s location facilitates easy access to events in the nation’s capitol.

Contact: Carol Regan, S.U.S.C., WTU, 6896 Laurel St. NW, Washington, DC 20012; 202-726-1716 or 800-334-9922, extension 5216.

Drs. Joseph and Eileen Connolly invite you to sign up for a week of personalized coaching and skill development at one of their Institutes in Effective Group Leadership. The 1998 Institutes are: February 1-7 in Los Angeles, June 21-27 and October 25-31 in St. Louis, MO, July 5-11 in San Francisco, CA, July 19-25 in Fairfield, CT. Institutes scheduled to be held outside the U.S. are: April 26-May 2 in Liverpool, England, May 3-9 in Larne, Northern Ireland, September 13-19 and 20-26 in Sydney, Australia and November 15-21 in Toronto, Canada.

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 on 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 February 10-12 in Los Angeles and June 30-July 2 in San Francisco.

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

Preaching Effectiveness Seminar is a two-day process designed for experienced preachers who wish to assess their preaching skills and develop a plan to become even more effective preachers.

Contact: Rev. Stephen V. DeLeers, 3257 South Lake Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53235; 414-747-6417; Fax: 414-747-6442.

1998 Convention. Our special anniversary convention is approaching. I look forward to celebrating with you our 25th annual convention at the Bahia Hotel in San Diego, California during the week of February 16-19, 1998. The convention theme, the awards dinner on February 17, the special anniversary dinner on February 19, and most of all, your presence during those days, will help us celebrate our past 25 years and honor our founding in 1973. I hope we can have a great turn out for this special convention.

I invited the past Presidents and Executive Directors and our four past bishop-liaisons to join us. I had three anniversary mementos created to add to the festivities. I am delighted to tell you that the history of NOCERCC is now at the printers. I hope to have copies available at the convention. The author, Dr. Joseph M. White, a professional historian, will join us for the convention.

Again this year, I wrote to twelve bishops of non-member dioceses inviting them to consider accepting a scholarship so that the bishop or the director of continuing education could attend the 1998 convention. The intent of the scholarship to non-member dioceses is to lead to joining NOCERCC. I received four responses and I trust we will welcome them among us for the convention and possible membership.

The money for these scholarships is from a grant given by NOCERCC Region VI and the grant from our associate member, Patricia M. Klugherz of Biblical Journeys, Inc.

President’s Distinguished Service Award. It is my distinct honor to announce that Reverend John L. Heagle will receive the fourth annual President’s Distinguished Service Award. Established in 1994, this award “is presented to a person, who, in the view of the President of NOCERCC, is one whose service of the Gospel and Church exemplifies NOCERCC’s mission and goals.”

John is a long-time NOCERCC friend, supporting our mission in his various ministries. Involved with NOCERCC from our early years and a frequent presenter at our conventions, John wrote one of the two articles for our new print and video resource, Priestly Relationships: Freedom through Boundaries.

John’s writings, college teaching and workshop presentations, his counseling and renewal ministry among priests, as well as his current ministry as the co-founder and co-director of Therapy and Renewal Associates (TARA) in Seattle, Washington for ministers are among the reasons for selecting him to receive the award. Numerous priests, religious and career ministers have been touched by his witness and ministry.

I am pleased that Father Heagle has accepted this award and will join us at the convention. He will give an acceptance-presentation at the awards dinner.

Earlier this month I sent an invitational letter with one ticket to each NOCERCC member and contributor to last year’s drawing, asking everyone to buy or sell the ticket for the special drawing which will take place on February 19, 1998. Your $50.00 or more donation is appreciated. In return, you have four chances to win a prize of $1,000.00. If you can sell or buy more than one ticket--which would be wonderful--contact the National Office.

Invite family and friends to buy a ticket and so help us celebrate twenty-five years of service to directors of continuing education/formation. Let’s make the 1998 anniversary convention a big celebration by reaching our endowment fund goal. Your participation is greatly appreciated.

Online and website. I am pleased to announce that thanks to David and Della Lawrence of Catholic Ministry Network (CMN), NOCERCC now has a website. David and Della, members of our Advisory Council, have once again made a significant donation to NOCERCC. They have given us free access to their online service and have recently created a website for us. While we continue to develop the contents and format of the website, you can check it out at the following address: http://cmnonline.com/nocercc.hmt.

New Orleans. The 1999 Convention Planning Committee, Stephen Feehan (chair), Region III, Greg Barras, Region V, and Russell Harrington, Region V, met with the Executive Committee during its November 7-9 meeting in New Orleans. I am pleased to say that plans for the 1999 convention are well underway. A full report will be given at the 1998 convention.

Executive Director. As you know, the position of the Executive Director is important for the mission and ministry of NOCERCC. In our search process, I wrote a letter to all the bishops, provincials and several other national organizations to ask their assistance in identifying possible candidates qualified for this position. Announcements about the position were published in NCR and CRUX, calling for applications by November 1. It is my hope to have the final candidates present at the 1998 convention.

I received twelve calls/letters about the position, resulting in five applications. Moreover, I have personally asked ten priests to consider applying for the position.

Once again, I ask your assistance in identifying possible candidates. Is there someone in your diocese or religious province or in your region that you believe would bring the necessary talents and gifts to NOCERCC as its next Executive Director. Please contact me with your nominees for the position. I will contact them to ascertain their interest.

Publications/Resources. Contact the National Office with your orders for copies of the new print and video resource, Priestly Relationships: Freedom through Boundaries, the Sabbatical Programs booklet, and the Convention Booklet 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994. I trust the 1997 edition of the Membership Directory will support our goal of networking.

In Prayer. We continue to remember in prayer Judy Kollar (Region II), Roy Persich (Region XI) and Tony Ziegler (past president, Region V). Judy was in a car accident several months ago, Roy suffered a heart attack in August and recently Tony had to begin another series of chemotherapy.

In Sympathy. Monsignor John T. Gordon (Archdiocese of Detroit) died on October 27, 1997 of complications from a stroke he suffered while vacationing in Florida. He was 75 years of age. John was an active NOCERCC member in Region VI from 1989 to 1994, serving on the Board from February 1993 to February 1994. I have many fond memories of John’s participation in and care about NOCERCC. I am so grateful that I was able to join more than 500 people who gathered with John on June 1 to celebrate his 50th anniversary of ordination. It was a great celebration of John’s life and generous spirit. May our friend, John, rest in the peace of the risen Christ and intercede for us.

Catholic Coalition on Preaching (CCOP). The third national conference, Enkindle in Us the Fire ..., on Catholic preaching was held in Cincinnati on September 21-24. We welcomed 331 participants to this conference. Rev. Walter J. Burghardt, S.J. and Sr. Mary Catherine Hilkert, O.P. made keynote presentations. I was pleased that Origins in its issue dated October 16, responded to my request and published Father Burghardt’s presentation.

The Governing Board, the president’s of the twenty-one national organizations or institutions of CCOP, held its meeting on September 24. We received reports of membership, finances and fundraising, elected as Vice President Sister Mary Jean Traeger, O.P., the representative of LCWR, and had an initial discussion about our experiences of the conference. Most of our time was given to preparations for the 1999 colloquium on preaching. The goal of the colloquium is to bring “decision makers” together and to develop a number of other action projects for CCOP.

At our December 14 meeting of the CCOP Executive Committee, we will continue the planning process for the colloquium. The next meeting of the CCOP Governing Board is March 28-29, 1998.

May the upcoming holidays be filled with peace and happiness for you and your loved ones.

Francis S. Tebbe, O.F.M.

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

The National Association for Lay Ministry (NALM) has published a document it believes will help move the church to a collaborative model where lay and ordained ministers work together to bring about God’s reign. Titled No Turning Back, A Lay Perspective on Ministry in the Catholic Church in the United States, this fifty-eight page document looks at ministry on the contemporary Catholic scene and calls for changes in how lay ministers are formed, supported and recognized. The primary authors are Dennis Beeman and Philip Dougherty, C.F.X.

Copies of No Turning Back with Study Guide are available for $5.00 each plus $2.00 for shipping and handling from the NALM office at 5420 South Cornell Avenue, Chicago, IL 60615; 773-241-6050; Fax 773-241-6061.

In his new book, The Parish of the Next Millennium, Fr. William J. Bausch summarizes the social and cultural forces that shape our lives and our church by pulling together current research and issues that indicate where we are and where we might be going. As the new millennium approaches, this great resource will help individuals and groups discern the current movements in their parish and begin planning the kind of spiritual and operational posture their parish needs to take them in the future.

Copies are available from Twenty-Third Publications, P.O. Box 180, Mystic, CT 06355; 800-321-0411.

In The Spirituality of the Diocesan Priest, Fr. Donald B. Cozzens offers a collection of essays in which twelve priests, including four bishops, reflecting on the spirituality of the diocesan priest from their personal and pastoral experience.

Copies available from The Liturgical Press, P.O. Box 7500, Collegeville, MN 56321-7500; 800-858-5450; Fax: 800-445-5899.

40,000.00

10,000.00

Region VI

Rev. Raymond Sheperd

Rev. James O’Leary

Rev. William L. Martin

Rev. James Kuhns

Rev. Melvin C. Blanchette

Rev. Alan Hirt, O.F.M.

Rev. Robert Hofstetter

Rev. Eugene J. Konkel

Rev. Msgr. Walter J. Nolan

Rev. Charles Parr

Comboni Missionaries

Rev. Frank Jasper, O.F.M.

Mrs. Marion E. McShane

Franciscan Friars, Cincinnati, Ohio

Mrs. Anna Persich

Dr. Stephen G. Ross

Rev. Joseph H. Voor

Rev. Gerald Hanley

Rev. James J. Mulligan

Rev. Tom Nash

Rev. John Durbin

Rev. John Corona

Daylesford Abbey Community

Pastoral Institute

Passionist Community

Rev. Andy Kennedy

Rev. Michael Danner

Rev. Charles Cicerale

Rev. Steve Popovich

Rev. Stephen S. Feehan

Rev. James O’Leary

Rev. Tom Whitman

Rev. Ronald D. Witherup, S.S.

Congregation of the Holy Ghost

Rev. Jim Braband, S.V.D.