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 My Brothers,
Last week, I spent four days with the priests from the dioceses of Nashville and Knoxville. When the diocese of Knoxville was established and the presbyterate was split, the priests decided that it would be a good thing if they were to meet together every other year to renew old friendships while they held a continuing education event.
I am impressed with both presbyterates. The priests I have met from both dioceses are genuine, caring and pastoral. There does not seem to be the kind of tension that I have sometimes felt in other places. Both bishops were present with their priests and participated in the convocation sessions.
My presentations included reflections on the present context for priestly ministry, relationships and intimacy, personal and ministerial boundary setting, and the need to ground our lives not only in baptismal discipleship but in the unique call of Jesus who chose apostles from among the disciples for the exercise of leadership in carrying out the mission. It was a good week.
Spending this quality time with priests who are immersed in the daily reality of parish and pastoral life is inspiring. Hearing the story of ministry with a man who is terminally ill, listening to the account of a priest’s intervention in a case of drug addiction that changed a life and a family for good, watching the earnestness in the face of a priest who is seeking a way to make the Gospel of Jesus more enticing to young people, seeing the energy in priests who are anxious to find others who might want to take up the priestly life…it is inspiring.
Even more inspiring is the evident goodness that emanates from good men. Yes, there are faults, sins and transgressions. But, when compared to the good that these priests do in the name of Jesus and his Church, the weaknesses seem few and the failures small.
On Monday, June 16, the Executive Committee meets in St. Paul-Minneapolis. The principal discussion will center on our strategic plan and future visioning. On Thursday and Friday, I will be in St. Louis at the Bishops’ meeting as an Observer. Because it is a year since the Dallas meeting, reporters tell me that they will be there.
Intercessory prayer has real power. I ask you to pray for both of these meetings that God will send the Spirit of Wisdom, Courage and Prudence to the week’s deliberations.
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PUBLICATIONS & RESOURCES:
The Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC) is offering a variety of courses and programs beginning in August. Offerings include Leadership for a Multicultural Church and Society, Hispanic Ministry in the Third Millennium, The Mini Pastoral Program designed as a concentrated three-week introduction to Hispanic Ministry, and the MACC Language Studies Program. MACC also offers Mobile Teams that are designed to work with diocesan groups, schools and universities, social agencies, health centers, and many religious denominations. For more information or to request a 2003-2004 Workshop and Course booklet, contact MACC, 3115 Ashby Pl., San Antonio, TX 48228-5104. Tel: (210) 732-2156. Fax: (210) 732-9072. E-mail: <register@maccsa.org>. Web site: <www.maccsa.org>.
Q & A: Seasons, Sacraments and Sacramentals, by Jesuit Father Dennis C. Smolarski is a book of 40 questions and answers that priests, liturgists, ministry coordinators and diocesan liturgy offices frequently ask about the seasons of the church year, the celebrating of the sacraments, praying devotions and using sacramentals. The answer to each question takes into account the 2002 edition of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal as well as other official documents. The questions are answered with legal expertise and pastoral sensitivity. A very helpful book for liturgy planners. Available for $11.95 from Liturgy Training Publications, 1800 N. Hermitage Ave., Chicago, IL 60622. Tel: (800) 933-1800. Fax: (800) 933-7094. E-mail: <orders@ltp.org>. Web site: <www.ltp.org>.
 In The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 1969-2002 - A Commentary, author Jesuit Father Dennis C. Smolarski places the rubrical norms in historical perspective and examines the various versions of the GIRM, with particular attention to the changes introduced in the 2002-updated version. The author concludes with reflections that may be helpful for ongoing liturgical renewal. Father Smolarski offers a good review of the “what and why” of liturgical theory and practice. Available for $7.95 from The Liturgical Press, St. John’s Abbey, P.O. Box 7500, Collegeville, MN 56321-7500. Tel: (800) 858- 5450. Fax: (800) 445-5450. E-mail: <sales@litpress.org>. Web site: <www.litpress.org>.
In Worship and Christian Identity, author E. Byron Anderson and editor, Don E. Saliers develop the idea that sacramental and liturgical practices are the central means by which a church shapes the faith, character, and consciousness of its members. The book is a comparative study of Christian liturgical practices and rituals The author maintains that attention to the reform and renewal of worship and sacramental practice provides a framework for the theological, evangelical, and sacramental renewal of Protestant mainline churches. A scholarly and rigorous book. A Pueblo Book from the Virgil Michel Series available for $24.95 from The Liturgical Press, P.O. Box 7500, Collegeville, MN 56321-7500, Tel: (800) 858-5450. Fax: (800) 445-5899. E-mail: <sales@litpress.org>. Web site: <www.litpress.org>.
 Every child learns the ABCs. Using that familiar foundation, A is for Altar, B is for Bible presents some of the essential elements of our Christian faith in a prayerful and enjoyable format. In the 64-page book each letter of the alphabet is illuminated by an image and a brief prayer drawn from scripture and liturgy. Spending time with this book will help to develop a language of faith for young and old alike. A fine addition to the parish and school library, church nursery and religious education classroom. Art and text by Judith Lang Main. From the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Publications. Available for $10.00 from Liturgy Training Publications, 1800 N. Hermitage Ave., Chicago, IL 60622. Tel: (800) 933-1800. Fax: (800) 933-7094. E-mail: <orders@ltp.org>. Web site: <www.ltp.org>.
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PRIESTS IN THE NEWS:
Twenty-four Chicago-area priests attended a “Priests as Managers” seminar at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, IL in March. Many pastors have come to realize that “Managing a parish is like a small business,” according to Father Jack Ryan. In addition to his pastoral duties, Father Ryan is supervising a $500,000 church renovation. He didn’t even have time to make a “to-do” list. “I thought that I could do it all in my mind, but found out I couldn’t,” said Father Ryan. The four-hour seminar was the brainchild of Peter Danis, retired president and CEO of Boise-Cascade, the Idaho-based paper, office products and building materials manufacturer. He brought the idea to his pastor, Father George Rassas who discussed a pilot program for the seminar with Auxiliary Bishop Jerome Listecki. Father Rassas serves on NFPC’s National Board as representative of the Province of Chicago. The pilot involved 24 local priests who read “Becoming a Successful Manager,” a 185 page management primer written by Jack Grossman, a retired De Paul University management professor and J. Robert Parkinson, a retired Northwestern University communications professor. Father Howard Lincoln, communications director for the Diocese of San Bernardino, said after attending the seminar that a proposal will be made for a similar program in his diocese. The Priests as Managers seminar was profiled in the Chicago Tribune (June 9, 2003).
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
The 32nd Annual Convocation of the National Association of Church Personnel Administrators (NACPA) is being held from Oct. 26-29 at the Sheraton Phoenix East Hotel and Convention Center in Mesa, Arizona. The theme for this year’s event is Rising to the Challenge: Valleys, Mountains, and New Realities. Plenary session speakers include Sister Sarah Sharkey, OP; Sister Anne Bryan Smollin, CSJ; Kathleen McChesney; and David Whyte. A variety of workshops and roundtable discussions are scheduled. A Pre-Convention workshop for New Human Resource Personnel Directors is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 25. For more information and a brochure contact, NACPA, 100 E. Eighth St., Cincinnati, OH 45202. Tel: (513) 421-3134. Fax: (513) 421-3085. E-mail: <nacpa@nacpa.org>. Web site: <www.nacpa.org>.
The 10th annual conference of the National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian & Gay Ministries (NACDLGM) will be held from Sept. 25-28 at the Hilton Palm Springs Resort in Palm Springs, California. The theme for this year’s assembly is Out in the Desert: A Wellspring of Hope. Plenary speakers include Father James Empereur, SJ, Dr. Jeffrey Siker, Ph.D., Sister Kathleen Schinhofen, SSJ, and Dr. Mary Elizabeth Kenel, Ph.D. There will be a special Spanish Language Track on Saturday, Sept. 27. For more information contact, NACDLGM, 5245 College Ave., #310, Oakland, CA 94618. Tel: (510) 465-9344. Fax: (510) 654-8401. E-mail: <nacdlgm@aol.com>. Web site: <www.nacdlgm.org>.
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