National Organization for Continuing Education of Roman Catholic Clergy

1337 West Ohio Street, Chicago, Illinois 60622-6490; 312/226-1890; Fax 312/829-8915; NOCERCC@cmnonline.com

Rev. Francis S. Tebbe, O.F.M., President; Rev. Michael J. Cronin, Executive Director

From the National Office

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About the 1999 Convention -- it was a success! Judging from the comments heard and reported to me, and from the evaluations, most everyone was very pleased with the accommodations in New Orleans, with the presentations by the speakers, The table discussions among the participants and the interaction among the members. And there were enough Mardi Gras parades for anyone who wanted to walk out the hotel door and enjoy them. The Board of Directors also had a very fruitful meeting on Monday morning. It was especially good to have Clete Kiley, Executive Director of NCCB Priestly Life and Ministry, to give his report and lead discussion of current and vital topics.

The Convention Planning Committee deserves our congratulations. Thank you to Chairman Steve Feehan (Newark) and committee members Russ Harrington (Lafayette) and Greg Barras (Biloxi) for the wonderful work and the great choices they made. It was a pleasure to work with them.

Twenty-two people attended the pre-convention Workshop for New Directors. It also proved very helpful to those who attended. They received a valuable and practical introduction to the work of clergy continuing education and formation, as well as the history, programs and resources of NOCERCC. They also enjoyed meeting new colleagues and seeing just what might be accomplished in education and ongoing formation. A special thank-you to our president, Francis Tebbe, who conducted the workshop for the eleventh year running! As always he was well organized and well received.

A number of our Associate Members signed up for exhibit space at the national convention and some co-sponsored the evening socials and the coffee and refreshment breaks. We are grateful to them for their support of NOCERCC. We hope that we serve them also in giving them opportunity to make known their programs, materials and services to our membership in this way.

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Our spring projects here include publishing the convention presentations, Summer Listings, revising Sabbatical Programs, and preparing for the April 16-18 Executive Committee meeting in Chicago.

The major presentations made at the convention will be sent to the membership this spring in print form, the Convention Booklet 1999. Video and audio tapes are available from Veranda Communications. Please consult the enclosed order form.

The Summer Listings is being readied. I know that a number of members use this to alert their presbyterates to possibilities of summertime continuing education programs. We are working on it right now and we will mail it as soon as possible.

We are updating the popular and very useful Sabbatical Programs. We are collecting all the information we need this month. If you know of any program that was not in the summer 1997 edition, please notify us at the national office before the end of March and we will attempt to include it, if appropriate.

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Note the insert for this issue. I have put together some of the recommendations that were shared at the regional meetings about retreats and retreat directors.

"I hold that love, where present, cannot possibly be content with remaining always the same.."

Twenty-two 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 welcome Fr. Ronald D. Witherup, S.S., provincial superior of the Society of St. Sulpice, who accepted the posthumous President’s Distinguished Service Award granted to Reverend Raymond E. Brown, S.S., and to honor Reverend Thomas J. Singer, O.M.I., with the Pope John XXIII Award.

The Board of Directors held its annual convention meeting on Monday, February 8. The Board received updates from the Standing Committees, the 2000 Convention Planning Committee made an extensive progress report, Clete Kiley gave a report and engaged us in a conversation on the activities of the Bishops' Committee on Priestly Life and Ministry, and the Board reviewed the financial report as well as the written reports from the President and Executive Director.

Welcome to Board Members. Welcome to newly elected and re-elected Board members and Alternates: Rev. Msgr. Thomas M. Mullin (Region III), Rev. Edward Estok (Region VI), Rev. Melvin Long (Region IX), Rev. Michael Lastiri (Region XI), Rev. Slider Steuernol (Region XII), Rev. Canice Connors, O.F.M., Conv., and Rev. Thomas Reynolds, S.S.C. (Religious members); Rev. Mark O’Donnell (Alternate for Region I), Rev. Scott D. Fobare (Alternate from Region II), Rev. Charles Parr (Alternate for Region III), Rev. Bryan Timby (Alternate for Region V), Deacon Eugene A. Krzeminski (Alternate for Region VI), Rev. Daniel Kampschneider (Alternate for Region IX), and Rev. T. Brendan O’Sullivan (Alternate for Region XI).

These regional elections are key opportunities to cultivate persons who can move into other leadership roles within the organization. I continue to encourage regions to plan for the future when electing Board members and Alternates.

Thanks to Board Members. The following persons have or will soon conclude their service as Board members or Alternates: Rev. Stephen S. Feehan (Region III), Rev. Bert Gohm (Region VI), Rev. J. James Offutt (Region IX), Rev. Roy Persich, C.M. (Region XI), Rev. Thomas J. Singer, O.M.I. (Religious member), and Rev. Michael Crosby, O.F.M. (Religious member). We gratefully acknowledge their service in NOCERCC.

Research Study. In June 1997, I met with Dr. Bryan Froehle from CARA at Georgetown University who expressed interest in working with NOCERCC to conduct a pilot study of the perceptions, needs and most effective responses to assist recently ordained priests. The Board decided to put a hold on a study by CARA and asked me to consult with Dr. Dean Hoge at the Life Cycle Institute at The Catholic University of America to see if the information we were seeking could be extrapolated from the data collected in his research, specifically, the 1994 publication, Survey of Catholic Priests on Leadership and Priestly Life, and the 1991 publication, A Survey of Priests Ordained Five to Nine Years.

In August 1998, I invited Dr. Hoge to write a paper for NOCERCC. Based on his research and the research of others, this paper was to address the perceptions and needs of recently ordained priests (1-9 years) as well as how to make the most effective responses.

In December 1998, the NOCERCC Executive Committee reviewed the first draft of Dr. Hoge’s paper and determined a plan of action. I offered our comments and questions to Dr. Hoge and I received the revised draft of his paper in early January 1999. Dr. Hoge’s paper summarizes five surveys of American Catholic priests to depict the available information on the lives of recently ordained priests.

I asked four NOCERCC members to write a response to Dr. Hoge’s paper, addressing two questions: (1) how does and/or how might the information presented in the paper affect your continuing education/formation ministry, and (2) how might NOCERCC as a national organization respond to the challenges and opportunities reflected in the data.

We intend to publish Dr. Hoge’s paper with the responses from the four directors in booklet form by early May.

Preaching Task Force. One of my goals is to explore creating a preaching workshop for priests. Coincidentally, one of the goals of the Bishops’ PL&M Committee is to seek ways to improve preaching. At the September 1998 meeting of the Bishops’ Committee, my goal was supported and endorsed. Their committee is now looking to NOCERCC to create a workshop for priests.

In the fall, I established a NOCERCC Task Force (Fathers Michael Cronin, Ed Estok, Steve DeLeers, and Gregory Heille, O.P., of Aquinas Institute for Theology) to join me in designing a model for a two or three day preaching event for priests. It is our intention to develop the content and process of the preaching event and to identify presenters/facilitators that could be hired by NOCERCC to be available for dioceses and religious provinces.

The purpose of the Task Force is: To respond to the recommendation and invitation of the Bishops' PL&M Committee and to a goal of NOCERCC to create a preaching convocation/assembly for priests.

The goals of the Task Force are: (1) To create a convocation/assembly for directors to use in the continuing formation of priests in Sunday homiletic preaching, and (2) To identify methods, resources and persons to be of service to the local churches in ongoing homiletic formation.

It is our hope that the convocation/assembly will (1) affirm priests’ dedication to preaching the Word of God and to encourage their best efforts in that ministry, (2) assist in the formation of a presbyterate’s identity as preachers of the Word, (3) help priests claim a Roman Catholic vision of Sunday homiletic preaching, (4) nurture the priest’s homiletic competence which flows from the vision, and (5) facilitate planning for the presbyterate’s ongoing formation of homiletic preaching.

We hope to complete our work and pilot the convocation/assembly during 1999-2000.

NOCERCC Executive Committee. The next meeting of the Executive Committee is April 16-18. Please contact me if there is an item you would like this committee to address.

Catholic Coalition on Preaching. As President of CCOP, I have had meetings with the CCOP Executive Committee and the CCOP Governing Board, spent time recruiting new members to join the Coalition, and served on the 1999 Colloquium Planning Committee.

The Presidents and CEOs of the Catholic Coalition on Preaching, numbering twenty national organizations or institutions with a deep interest in the continuing development of Catholic preaching, constitute CCOP’s Governing Board. Bishop Sylvester D. Ryan, Bishop William S. Skylstad and Bishop James W. Malone are members of the Governing Board.

The Catholic Coalition on Preaching is sponsoring a colloquium on Catholic preaching at the Oblate Renewal Center in San Antonio on October 1-3, 1999.

The goal of this invitational colloquium is to gather church leaders who have influence and decision-making authority about preaching, to examine the state of Catholic preaching, to identify areas of greatest need in Catholic preaching, to articulate specific goals for the improvement of preaching, and to motivate various constituencies to implement these goals.

We have 55 participants registered. They are: bishops, provincials, seminary rectors/presidents, teachers of preaching, preachers, leadership of NOCERCC, NFPC, NALM and CMSM, as well as CCOP Governing Board members.

The colloquium process will include prepared and distributed written analyses of the state of Catholic preaching from resource persons, dialogue, and the formulation of a plan of action. Sr. Dorothy Monikowski, SSJ-TOSF, will facilitate the process with us.

We invited Father Gregory Heille, a professor of homiletics at the Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, to prepare a paper on The State of Catholic Preaching: What’s Happening in the Pulpits of Our Parishes on Sunday and Is It What We Really Want? Father Eugene Hemrick, a researcher at the Catholic University of America, agreed to prepare a paper on The State of Catholic Preaching: What Do the Numbers Tell Us? And Bishop Sylvester D. Ryan will prepare a paper on The State of Catholic Preaching: A Bishop’s Pastoral Perspective.

Lenten blessings!

For the upcoming issue NOCERCC is considering adding a compact disk (CD-ROM) to the book. The disk will include all the textual information in the book as well as visual and audio clips. Each program’s textual information will be included on the CD, but often it is more interesting if there is a visual or sound clip with the text. A photo or two of the "program in action," or of the location where it takes place, can enhance the description. NOCERCC will make every effort to accommodate audio and visual information.

If your center or educational institution offers a sabbatical program for clergy, or if you know of one which does, please contact the NOCERCC office so that we may include the program in the new edition.

Workshop for Pastors. Pastoring in Today’s Parish – presented by the National Pastoral Life Center. This workshop is for new pastors, pastors looking toward a new assignment, and those wanting a fresh look at their pastoring style. Presenters and Topics: Msgr. Philip J. Murnion, Keynote Address: Pastoring: Parishioners, Mission, Leadership; 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 Priorities; Mr. G. Richard Fowler: The Social Mission of the Parish; Rev. William Griner: Liturgical Policies and Practices; Ms. Jan Haselschwerdt: Parish Religious Education; Sr. Donna L. Ciangio, O.P.: Small Community Development; Sr. Mary Angela Shaughnessy, SCN: Legal Concerns.

For information and brochure, contact: Sr. Donna L. Ciangio, O.P., National Pastoral Life Center, 18 Bleecker St., New York, NY 10012-2404; 212-431-7825; FAX: 212-274-9786.

Saint Michael’s College: Workshop: Catholic Health Care Ministry: Challenges for The Millennium; Instructor: Gerald Arbuckle, s.m., July 12-16, 1999. Catholic health care ministry currently faces threatening and chaotic challenges: religious congregations are in rapid decline; ministry must become increasingly lay-led; and the struggle to maintain financial viability, while insisting on the preferential option for the poor. All contribute to the urgent need for Catholic health care to re-invent radically new ways to bring Christ’s healing gifts to the needy. This workshop explores how this can be done. Contact: Saint Michael's College; Graduate Theology and Pastoral Ministry; Winooski Park, Colchester, VT 05439; 802-654-2579; FAX: 802-654-2664; www.smcvt.edu/prevel

Harvard Divinity School’s Office of Ministerial Studies announced the Merrill Fellowships for spring and fall terms, 2000. The Merrill Fellows program was initiated to provide parish ministers with the opportunity to return to formal studies for additional training and updating of the arts of ministry. Four ministers are chosen from among the applicants for each term by an admissions committee. The Merrill Fellowship provides stipends and tuition to assist with the expenses. The period of residence is one semester. As well as enrolling in courses of their choice, Merrill Fellows participate in colloquia designed for them.

Applicants must be currently engaged in full-time ministry, and must have been so engaged for at least five years. Usually completion of a Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent is expected.

Current application deadlines are as follows: spring term 2000 – applications due March 1, 1999. Fall term 2000 – applications due October 1, 1999.

The purpose of the reunion is to re-invigorate the appreciation of biblical justice in prayer, presentation, and participation.

You can join the past presenters John Donahue, S.J. (Berkeley), J-Glenn Murray, S.J. (Cleveland), Allan Figuero Deck, S.J. (Orange and Los Angeles), Leo Murray, S.J. (Philadelphia), John Carr (USCC-Washington, D.C.), and Ray Kemp for this overnight.

March: Creative Contemplation, a one-month mini-sabbatical to deepen a contemplative dimension of life.

April: Retreat for Religious Congregational Leaders (one week).

June: Retreats: Spirituality on Film – Parables of the Human Spirit (one week). Growth into Harmony (weekend). Journaling and Dreams (weekend).

July: Summer Sabbath (a one–month mini-sabbatical).

August: A Life of Passion: The Fire Within (one week retreat).

September – December: a 4-month holistic renewal/sabbatical program.

Aquinas Summer Preaching Institute June 13-18, 1999. Spirituality of the Preacher – Donald Goergen, O.P. and Ann Willits, O.P. June 20-25, 1999 – History of Preaching – Marygrace Peters, O.P.

Contact: Aquinas Institute of Theology, 3642 Lindell Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri 63108; 413-977-3882; FAX 314-977-7225.

Aging Priests Workshops. The 22^nd Annual Aging Religious and Diocesan Priests Workshops focuses on holistic approaches, creative, practical solutions for planning and providing quality services to the aged in religious and diocesan communities. Free brochure and information: Institute of Gerontology, College Misericordia, 302 Lake St., Dallas, PA 18612-1098; 570-674-6161; FAX: 570-674-6232; conted@miseri.edu.

Center For Spiritual Development Retreats. Holy Week Retreat - March 28, 7:00 p.m. – April 4, 10:00 a.m. This is an opportunity to enter into prayer, solemnity and liturgy of Holy Week with this guided retreat. Each day will include one session on the readings of Holy Week and the theme of the Paschal Mystery. Spiritual Directors will be available for those who wish to choose a directed style retreat. $325.00

Do This in Remembrance of Me – July 6, 7:00 p.m. – July 13, 10:00 a.m. Rev. Gregory Comella, CPPS.

Contact: Center for Spiritual Development, Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, 434 S. Batavia St., Orange, CA 92868. 714-744-3175. FAX: 714-744-3176.

Liturgy Workshops. Sponsored by the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions - Liturgy and Culture in a Multicultural Church: A Dialogue. Mark Francis, C.S.V., associate professor of liturgy at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

The purpose of these gatherings is to promote or continue an ongoing dialogue regarding the preparation and celebration of liturgies which express more authentically the unity of the body of Christ at worship while respecting the cultures present in the assembly.

Goals and objectives: to appreciate the gift and challenge that cultural diversity presents to the Church’s liturgical life; to provide a forum for substantive intercultural dialogue; to develop pastoral strategies that can be applied on parish, diocesan, and national levels; to review and respond to the first draft of Guidelines for Multicultural Celebrations; to examine questions of cultural adaptation.

For pastors, parochial vicars, leaders of multicultural parishes, parish liturgy committee members, diocesan leaders representing diocesan cultural groups, liturgists, liturgical musicians, liturgical artists.

March 19-20, 1999 (Orlando, FL)

April 9-10, 1999 (Brooklyn, NY)

April 30- May 1, 1999 (Los Angeles, CA)