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From the National Office


I believe all the region directors who participated in the fall face-to-face meetings have found these to be enjoyable, successful and productive. The ongoing formation of priests continues to be an important and demanding job.  It appears to be also rewarding.  The directors have a great spirit when they are together.  Eight regions (I, II, III, V, VI, VIII, IX, and XI) have already held their fall meetings. Their agendas included input about NOCERCC resources, information about upcoming conventions, and sharing their own recommendations for convocation and workshop presenters and retreat directors whom they found to be good.

Each region also held discussions on the document, A Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests. The Priestly Life and Ministry Committee of the NCCB is helping to prepare the text. They have asked that our members read and give feedback on the draft.  The discussions were all very good and I am sure the feedback given to the Bishops'

committee will be helpful. In addition, I believe the very fact that bishops and their local directors of ongoing formation are holding discussions on the subject of ongoing formation of priests is already beneficial to the health and formation of priests.

One of the fruits of the regional meetings is the sharing of resources. We have collected some of the recommendations of our members and included them in this mailing. We hope these are helpful to you as you look for ideas for your own workshops, convocations, clergy education days and other events. If you would like additional information on any of the presenters recommended, simply call the NOCERCC member who made the recommendation. Look for additional retreat recommendations made by our members in our next NewsNotes (January-February).

The following regions were unable to meet in person this fall, but have scheduled conference calls for the full members of their regions:

Region IV December 6
Region VII December 7
Region X December 8
Region XII December 8
Region XIII December 8


Occasionally directors are looking for some guidance in formulating policies for their diocesan or provincial sabbatical program.  Fr. Matt Brumleve of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Missouri, shared with us the new policies which his diocese arrived at. While we realize that sabbatical policies will vary due to different diocesan structure, number of clergy and other factors, we offer this policy as a

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