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

NOCERCC’s twenty-fifth national convention was held February 16-19, 1998 in San Diego, California. Judging from the many comments and evaluations of the participants, the convention was a very enriching, relaxing and worthwhile experience. The special Mass and dinner at the San Diego Mission on Monday as well as the special anniversary dinner on Thursday were enjoyed by all.

Many thanks to Francis Tebbe, the architect of this anniversary celebration, who spear headed the planning more than two years ago. He commissioned the writing of the history of NOCERCC, designed the special mugs and mementos and suggested the special events that made our time together a wonderful celebration of NOCERCC’s twenty-five years of service. Thanks, Francis, for a job well done!

Rev. Raymond Carey gave two stirring presentations on Transformational Spirituality of the Parish Priest and Rev. John E. Linnan, C.S.V., explored Ecclesial Policy and Human Reality. Rev. Allan F. Deck, S.J., gave an Interest Session on the challenges arising from the internationalization of the clergy. Unfortunately, Rev. Michael J. Himes, scheduled to address the topic Looking Toward the Millennium: Priests’ Needs, was forced to cancel due to illness.

Other Interest Sessions held on Tuesday addressing subjects suggested by the members were: The Theological Generation

Gap in the Priesthood; Continuing Education Credits: Do We Need Them?; L.A. Priests’ Assembly Faces the Shortage and the Future; and Mentoring and the Newly Ordained.

The major presentations made at the convention will be sent to the membership this spring in Convention Booklet 1998. Video and audio tapes are available from Veranda Communications. Please consult the enclosed order form.

Congratulations to the winners of the 1998 convention drawing: Rev. William J. Galvin, M.M., of Maryknoll, NY; Rev. Bert Gohm of Hemlock, MI; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Resler of Camarillo, CA; and the Knights of Columbus of Hutchinson, MN.

Region XI has scheduled its spring meeting at the Jesuit Retreat House in Los Altos, California, May 17-19.

Blessings of the coming Paschal season!

Paul J. Murray, C.F.X.

The National Pastoral Life Center will present two workshops for new pastors, pastors looking toward a new assignment, and those wanting a fresh look at their pastoring style on July 12-17 at the Oblate Renewal Center, San Antonio, Texas and August 23-18 at the Bon Secours Spiritual Center, Marriottsville, Maryland.

Workshop presenters and topics will include: Msgr. Philip J. Murnion: Pastoring Mission and Management; Dr. Patricia Kelly: Understanding Your Own Style and Goals, Collaboration and Conflict, Working Toward a Developmental Understanding of Christian Leadership; Msgr. Douglas Doussan: Organizing the Ministry, Roles and Responsibilities, Living by Your Own Priorities; Mr. G. Richard Fowler and Mr. J. Mark Brinkmoeller: The Social Mission of the Parish; Rev. William Griner: Liturgical Policies and Practices; Mrs. Jan Haselschwerdt: Parish Religious Education; Sr. Donna L. Cianglo, O.P.: Small Community Development; Sr. Mary Angela Shaughnessy, S.C.N.: Legal Concerns.

Contact: Sr. Donna L. Ciangio, O.P., National Pastoral Life Center, 19 Bleecker St., New York, NY 10012-2404; 212-431-7825; Fax: 212-274-9786.

The Center for Continuing Formation for Ministry (CCFM), the sabbatical renewal program formerly located at the University of Notre Dame, will be conducted at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Founded in 1976 and with nearly 2,000 alumni/ae, the operations of the Center will continue to be overseen by Director Rev. Eugene Lauer and Associate Director Sr. Joris Binder, O.P. Designed as a wholistic renewal experience for Catholic church ministers, ordained and lay, the program enjoys a strong reputation based on the caliber of faculty, the comprehensive approach of its curriculum and supporting programs and its focus on ministry in light of global and local transitions. The program offers two four-month sabbaticals annually for those with at least 10 years of full-time ministry experience. Contact: Sr. Joris Binder, O.P., at CCFM, University of Notre Dame, 1201 Hesburgh Library, Notre Dame, IN 46556; 219-631-6968; Fax: 219-631-6968; E-mail: Eugene.F.Lauer.2@nd.edu.

Msgr. Andrew Cusack of Seton Hall University’s National Institute for Clergy Formation announces its Eleventh Summer Institute for Priests, June 21-July 24, 1998, at San Alfonso Retreat Center (on the shore) in West End, New Jersey. For a booklet describing the extensive offerings and listing over seventy outstanding presenters, contact: National Institute for Clergy Formation, Seton Hall University, South Orange, N.J. 07079; 973-761-9739; Fax: 973-275-2382; E-mail: nifcf@lanmail.shu.edu.

Drs. Joseph and Eileen Connolly, Directors of Communication Center #1, announce their thirty-second annual series of Institutes for Effective Group Leadership. The institutes are especially helpful to priests and other religious leaders who want additional skills in developing co-leaders, having productive meetings, building Christian communities, making effective presentations, making decisions, and effecting change.

Liverpool, England April 26-May 2

Lame, N. Ireland May 3-9

St. Louis, MO June 21-27

San Francisco, CA July 5-11

Fairfield, CT July 19-25

Sydney, Australia Sept. 13-19, 20-26

St. Louis, MO October 25-31

Toronto, Canada November 15-21

Los Angeles, CA Feb. 7-13, 1999

Contact: Communication Center #1, 214 South Meramec Ave., St. Louis, MO 63105; 314-863-7267; Fax: 314-863-7263; E-mail: ComCntr1@aol.com.

Convention 1998. The 25th annual convention in San Diego was a great success and celebration! We thank the national office staff, Paul J. Murray, C.F.X. and Kathleen M. Glynn for their extra work and care, the planning committee, Tom Powers, Michael Murphy and Robert Miller, the presenters and exhibitors, the numerous local musicians, the liturgical coordinators, all who sponsored socials or refreshment breaks, and all who participated in this anniversary convention. The 210 participants set a record number for a convention. Once again, we enjoyed multiple opportunities for dialogue, reflection and camaraderie.

The Pre-convention workshop for new directors was attended by 30 persons. 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 Rev. John L. Heagle with the fourth annual President’s Distinguished Service Award. John is a long-time NOCERCC friend, supporting our mission in his various ministries as teacher, retreat director, counselor and renewal ministry. Involved with NOCERCC from its early years and a frequent presenter at our conventions, John wrote one of the articles for our new print and video resource, Priestly Relationships: Freedom Through Boundaries.

This year, in celebration of the anniversary, each member of the Board of Directors was invited to nominate one past or current director of the region to receive a special peer recognition at the convention awards dinner. Five Board members chose to participate in this recognition activity. We saluted the following persons for their participation in NOCERCC: Msgr. Walter E. Nolan (Region III), Rev. Donald E. Snyder (past member of Region VI), Rev. Jerry P. Kopel (Region VIII), Rev. Eamon O’Gorman (Region XI), and Rev. John Houlihan (Region XII).

I am grateful to the membership for the support and confidence you placed in me during these past three years as President. Moreover, I am strengthened by the affirmation of the Board of Directors and those regions and members of other regions who nominated and reelected me to serve an additional term. I accepted this nomination and reelection with full knowledge and acute sensitivity that the organization is in a time of transition. Your strong show of confidence is deeply appreciated. I pledge to continue to do all I can to promote and further the mission and ministry of NOCERCC.

Thanks to all who bought or sold tickets for the endowment drawing. This activity raised $3,350.00 for the endowment fund. Congratulations to the four winners!

Board Meeting. The Board of Directors had a pre-convention meeting on February 16. The 1999 Convention Planning Committee progress report was made by Steve Feehan (chair), Clete Kiley, the new Executive Director for PL&M, reported 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. Donald J. Wolf, President of NFPC, joined us for the discussion of NFPC’s mission statement which reads: The National Federation of Priests’ Councils is an organization which represents, networks and serves Presbyteral Councils, Associations of Priests and Priests of Religious Institutes of Men and provides forums for the continuing professional development of individual priests and a voice for their concerns. NOCERCC was invited to participate in the review process of NFPC’s mission statement which is part of its year-long process of renewing its strategic plan.

At the February 19 post-convention meeting, the Board discussed and received an update on the search process for a new Executive Director, elected Mark Hession as vice president and reelected Jerry Kopel as secretary/treasurer. Congratulations to Mark and Jerry!

Executive Committee. The Executive Committee meets April 17-19 at the national office in Chicago. Please contact me if you have items to be considered on its agenda.

Executive Director. Regarding the search process for a new Executive Director, I wish to make the following report. I wrote a letter to all the bishops, provincials and other national organizations to ask their assistance in identifying possible candidates qualified for this position. Announcements about the position were published several times in America, NCR, and Crux. Moreover, in letters and NewsNotes, the Board and membership were asked to help identify possible candidates.

Twelve inquiries (6 priests, 2 women religious, 3 lay men and 1 lay woman) resulted in seven formal applications (3 priests, 3 lay men and 1 lay woman). The Executive Committee reviewed all seven applicants and decided to interview two qualified candidates (both of whom are priests). After visiting the national office and reflection, one candidate withdrew his application on January 19.

I personally asked ten priests (8 of the 10 are or were NOCERCC members) to consider applying for the position. Nine of the ten said “no” while one was interested and applied. However, he informed me on January 21 that he would have to withdraw his application since he could not be released from his Archdiocese. Seven new names were surfaced at the Board meeting on February 19. I received a “no” from five persons and no response from one. I have no information on the seventh person named.

Through a Chicago connection, I contacted and invited a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago to consider the position. After conversations with me and a visit with Paul in the office, he informed me on March 6 that he is interested in applying and will see about the possibility of being released.

The Executive Committee interviewed one priest-candidate at the convention. After considerable discussion, we decided to reopen the search in order to provide a larger pool of candidates and will continue considering his application. He informed me that he wishes to remain “in the running.”

It is my hope that the Executive Committee can interview one or two candidates during its meeting on April 17-19 and then make a recommendation for Board approval by mail so that the new Executive Director can be present for the Board meeting in June. As you know, this position is important to NOCERCC. Please help in whatever way you can and join us in our prayer to St. Anthony of Padua.

Membership. We are very pleased to welcome the Dioceses of Duluth, Victoria and Pensacola-Tallahassee as the newest full members of NOCERCC. We now have 155 of the 177 Latin Rite dioceses, 1 Ukranian diocese and 67 religious congregations or provinces in the US as full members.

NOCERCC membership is open to organizations or institutions (Associate Members) concerned with continuing education/formation and individuals (Affiliate Members). We enjoy the participation of 44 Associate Members and 57 Affiliate Members. The eleven members of the Advisory Board are Sponsoring Members.

I encourage you to contact the Board member from your region about possible members. Moreover, please invite institutions and individuals to join us.

At our request, Bishop Sylvester D. Ryan agreed to serve as the bishop-liaison for NOCERCC for the past six years. His personal support and affirmation of our mission and ministry as well as his enthusiastic participation in the annual conventions since 1991 were great blessings. We are deeply appreciative of his generous service. We look forward to welcoming a new bishop-liaison.

The twenty-fifth anniversary of its founding provided the best occasion to commission a professional historian to write the history of NOCERCC. Dr. Joseph M. White, a historian of American Catholicism and author of a book and many articles on the history of diocesan seminaries in the United States, persevered through tedious research in NOCERCC’s often uneven records. Despite this challenge and the reality that aspects of our history are not documented, he thoughtfully delineates how NOCERCC developed through its first twenty-five years. With his creative imagination and historical skill, Dr. White has given NOCERCC a precious gift in A Work Never Finished.

The story he tells could not have been communicated without the gracious assistance of the J. S. Paluch Company, Inc., which provided an in-kind donation by printing the book without charge, making copies available to each NOCERCC member, Bishop and Provincial and each seminary/school of theology in this country. We are most appreciative of this generous expression of support for NOCERCC.

As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of our founding, we salute all those who have been and continue to be members and partners in this ministry of continuing education/formation of priests. May God’s blessing renew us as we celebrate the past, replenish our dedication to the present, and enable us to move with hope into the future!

Francis S. Tebbe, O.F.M.

In 1998 the Servants of the Paraclete begin their second half-century of ministry to priests and brothers by launching a new program in Jemez Springs, New Mexico. The intention is to address the morale problem during this difficult time in the Church’s history. They are offering a series of retreat/workshops for clergy and men religious, to look at areas that might be particularly helpful for ministers in the future Church.

April 27-May 1, Roger Klauer, M.D., Spiritual Intimacy and Professionalism; May 4-8, Robert Furey, Ph.D. Building Psychological and Spiritual Strength; May 11-15, John Powers, C.P., Stories “R” Us: Story Spirituality for Personal, Ministry, and Preaching Life; May 18-22, William D. Perri, Ph.D., Shadow Workshop: Discovering God through Personal Darkness; June 1-5, Ray Gunzel, s.P., Praying Our Ministry; June 1-5, Martin Pable, O.F.M.,Cap., Spirituality for the Senior Years; June 8-12, Gavin Griffith, O.F.M., Beyond Gratitude: A Retreat on the Dynamics of 12-Step Recovery; June 22-26, Whitney Miller, Ph.D., Spirituality of the Darker Emotions; August 3-9, Mark Pousson and Joseph Snoha, Spiritquest Outdoor Experience; August 17-21, Donald Nesti, C.S.Sp., Living the Gospel in the American Context; September 21-25, a priest/spiritual director in recovery, Spirituality of 12-Step Programs; September 28-October 2, Charles Bouchard, O.P., Living an Integrated Life: Sexuality and Men’s Spirituality; October 5-9, Michael Foley, s.P. and William Perry, Ph.D., What is it Like? Reflections of Personal Struggles; October 19-23, Loughlan Sofield, S.T., Integrated Minister: Holy, Mature and Effective; October 26-30, David E. Schlaver, C.S.C., The Spirituality of Henri Nouwen: The Wounded Healer.

Contact: Fitzgerald Center, P. O. Box 10, Jemez Springs, NM 87025; 505-829-3586; Fax: 505-829-3706; E-mail: servants@the servants.org; Website: www.theservants.org/ worships.html.

40,000.00

10,000.00

Rev. Wayne Cavalier, O.P.

Rev. William J. Galvin, M.M.

Msgr. William O’Connell

Rev. Ed Estok & Friends

Rev. James Holtz

Deacon Eugene Krzeminski

Mr. and Mrs. William L. Tarter

Rev. Larry Fye

Rev. Edmund Siedlecki

Rev. David H. Garcia

In memory of Mary E. (Moll) Tebbe

Rev. John P. Hopkins

Knights of Columbus, Hutchinson, Kansas

Rev. Douglas J. Bignall

Ms. Nancy Larsen

Mrs. Lynn Jensen

Rev. Jim O’Leary

Msgr. Thomas J. Culhane

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph and Susan Gersman

Mr. James Hayden

Rev. Noah Casey, O.S.B.

Rev. Art Faesser

Mr. Mike Heffernan

Ms. Phyllis Stittle

Mr. Daniel T. Busen

Rev. T. Brendan O’Sullivan

Mr. and Mrs. Rahn Paulson

Mr. and Mrs. William Boyd

Springfield, S.D. Buyers Group

Tyndall, S.D. Buyers Goups

Catholic Pastoral Center, New Ulm, MN

Mr. and Mrs. Brian Mathiowetz

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Mathiowetz

Mr. and Mrs. John Wolf

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Breiter

Mr. T. William Coughlan and Dr. James Shaw

Rev. William Hopkins

Rev. Joseph Mulroney

Rev. Jim Plagens

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

Mr. Kenneth Morrow

Rev. Thomas Haffey

The Hillenbrand Institute of the Center for Development in Ministry announces a theological and pastoral conference on the mission of the laity entitled Salt and Light for the World. Scheduled for May 6-8, 1998 at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois, speakers include Bro. Loughlan Sofield, S.T., Dr. Juan L. Hinojosa, Dr. Richard McCord, Dr. Aurelie Hagstrom, Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I., Rev. John Haughey, S.J., Dr. Jean Bethke Elshtain, Rev. John Linnan, C.S.V. Contact: Hillenbrand Institute, Center for Development in Ministry, 1000 E. Maple Ave., Mundelein, IL 60060-1174; 847-970-4927; Fax: 847-566-7971.

Sacred Heart School of Theology announces the 1998 John Neumann Summer Institute, August 3-7, entitled The Creator. This is the third part of a trilogy focusing on the Trinity and leading up to the Third Millennium. Speakers include Bishop Robert Morneau, Sr. Doris Klein, Rev. Michael Himes, Mr. Joseph Holland, and Rev. Joseph Juknialis. Contact: John Neumann Summer Institute, 7335 South Highway 100, P. O. Box 429, Hales Corners, WI 53130-0429; 414-425-8300.

Eight R.P.I. convocations are scheduled thus far in 1998 for the diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana (April 27-29), Baton Rouge, Louisiana (May 4-6), San Francisco, California (June 7-9), Worcester, Massachusetts (June 8-10), Toledo, Ohio (July 6-8), Gaylord, Michigan (September 15-17), Stockton, California (September 21-23), Metuchen, New Jersey (October 5-8). For information about R.P.I. and scheduling a convocation in your diocese or province, contact the Natinal Office.