Catholic Diocese of Sale, Victoria

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1 Catholic Diocese of Sale, Victoria Year for Priests: 19 June June 2010 WEBSITES At roughly the halfway mark of the Year for Priests it is timely to return to its official website. It has been updated with information about the international meeting of priests in Rome in June 2010 which will officially close the Year, but also with news on a theological convention next March and a papal video message provided to an international retreat for priests in late September The multilingual site also contains the Prayer for Priests and material on the patron saint of priests, St John Vianney. english/ _Annus_Sacerdotalis English.html Annus Sacerdotalis Vatican website from the Congregation for the Clergy. Daily reflections, articles, news clips and You-tube video clips Australian Council for Clergy Life and Ministry In 1992 the Catholic Bishops of Australia established the Australian Council for Clergy Life and Ministry, a National Office, and Diocesan Directors to enhance the Ongoing Formation and Education of Clergy and to ensure their Ongoing Support and Care. Homily resources, articles, links to the Divine Office online. (Year for Priests on vertical menu bar) Australian Confraternity of Catholic Clergy The ACCC is a private, voluntary and fraternal association of Catholic clerics of the Dioceses of Australia constituted in 1987 under statutes in conforming with the 1983 Code of Canon Law under Canon 278,1, Secular clergy have the right of association with others for the achievement of purposes befitting the clerical state. The Aims of the ACCC are to give glory and honour to the Most Blessed Trinity 1

2 assist the eternal salvation and holiness of members foster unity among Catholic priests, deacons with bishops in loyalty to the Supreme Magisterium encourage faithfulness to priestly life and ministry assist bishops, priests, and deacons in the fulfilment of their ministry of teaching, sanctifying, and ruling. Access past issues of The Priest the ACCC s journal. Of interest is the May 2009 issue with an article by Bishop Tim Costelloe on the theology of priesthood. Bishop Justin Bianchini from the Australian Catholic Bishops Commission for Church Ministry has responsibility for liaising with this advisory body. E-Priest A useful resource for Catholic priests includes weekly Homily packs, tips on revitalising parish life, News Bytes for the parish bulletin 1. weekly best practices o profiles of practices that are currently working in real parishes o touching all sectors of parish life: sacraments, outreach, faith formation, family, youth, vocation promotion, administration and finance, and ongoing priestly formation 2. weekly homily packs o ingredients for effective homilies o preaching tips 3. an online community o of English-speaking priests from around the world epriest is an outreach of Sacerdos Institute, an apostolate serving priests in union with the Church throughout the world. National Association of Pastoral Musicians (USA) This website includes articles, music suggestions, and other resources that you can use in your community to celebrate the Year for Priests. National Council of Priests of Australia The National Council of Priests is an Australian wide organisation of Catholic clergy Bishops, Priests and Deacons who join together to support each other in their priestly ministry. Founded in 1971 by the priests of Australia, the NCP is a professional organisation of clergy working for the good of all clergy and offering services to the Catholic Church. The Objects and Purposes of the Council To promote a spirit of fraternity among the members & other clerics of the Catholic Church in Australia To devise ways and means for priests to better serve the people to whom they minister. To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and to promote the spirit of ecumenism and to establish ecumenical links To liaise with other national bodies of religious men and women and with national bodies of laity To maintain contact with similar associations To be a consultative body to the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. 2

3 Activities & Initiatives Builds links between Australian clergy Bishops, Priests and Deacons. Publishes a quarterly magazine The Swag which is sent to all Catholic Clergy now available at Publish a quarterly news bulletin which is sent to all members (post or ) Members Only web site Represents clergy at the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. Collaborates with the Leaders of Religious Institutes. Sponsors a bi-annual NCP Convention to which all clergy are invited. Sponsors clergy in ongoing education through bursaries. Publishes the annual Clergy Contact List (members only) Maintains an active interest in Clergy Renewal. Promotes research associated with creative pastoral programmes. Initiated and supports the Australian Catholic Clergy Relief Fund which assists clergy in poorer Australian dioceses. Is a founding member and Committee member of the International Committee of English Speaking Priests. Publishes the Official Directory of the Catholic Church of Australia - print and online Represents Diocesan Clergy on the Bishops Committee for Professional Standards. Some of the issues currently receiving discussion include: Care for Clergy The on-going problem of acculturation of foreign priests into the Australian Church Questions around the implementation and catechesis required for changed in the new liturgy Professional Standards matters Integrity in Ministry & Towards Healing Imagining Pastoral Leadership: conversing, reflecting, acting together The concept of how we can best be church in Australia, and formulating a common agenda for action. Developing a history of the NCP from Archival material. Further developing and strengthening good relationships with the growing numbers of permanent deacons, through a reciprocal arrangement between the NCP and the Australian Catholic Deacons Association. Contact the NCP: PO Box 295, Belmont VIC 3216 Ph: (03) Fax: (03) national.office@ncp.catholic.org.au Skype: ncpnationaloffice The Swag is a quarterly publication of the National Council of Priests of Australia The Swag is published quarterly by the National Council of Priests of Australia, and is posted to ordained clergy in Australia, NZ & Oceania, as well as houses of Australian Religious Orders (Men & Women). Bishop Donald Sproxton from the Australian Catholic Bishops Commission for Church Ministry has responsibility for liaising with this advisory body. National Federation of Priests Councils (USA) Features including Read Reflect Respond - suitable for personal reflection or group discussion. Download the latest Touchstone journal for priests. Sacerdos Institute Sacerdos Institute is an international apostolic initiative of the Legion of Christ and the Regnum Christi Movement. It is dedicated to build up priests and the priestly spirit in the heart of the Church. Its network of services offers on-going integral formation, 3

4 pastorally effective resources, and fraternity, within a spirit of communion with the local and universal Church. The website features archived homiletic resources, details of retreats and spiritual formation programs, conferences and resources on pastoral practice. St Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney, Cure d Ars This year is the 150th anniversary of St John Mary Vianney (+ 4th August 1859) & is the reason for Pope Benedict XVI declaring this 'The Year for Priests'. "Man has a noble task: that of prayer and love. To pray and to love, that is happiness of man on earth." This YouTube video is by Rome Reports: "St Jean-Marie Vianney's life stands out as most unique for a priest. For example, he barely finished his seminary studies because he had trouble learning Latin. And he even tried escaping from his parish duties on 3 occasions because he saw himself as an obstacle. However, he persevered & today he's known as the Patron Saint of Priests - an example for all ordained. He was born in 1786 in Dardilly, France. He grew up in a Catholic family of humble origins. He worked as a farmer until he was 19, when he was then able to join the seminary. Cardinal Paul Poupard (President Emeritus of the Pontifical Council of Culture) - "It wasn't easy for him to join the seminary because he had problems learning Latin & back then you had to know Latin to become a priest." But through his perseverance & with the help of a priest who never lost hope in him, he was able to finish his studies to later become the priest of the village of Ars in France, where he was greatly loved. Card. Poupard - "I would say that his main virtue was that he was priest according to the heart of Jesus. This means that he devoted his life to priestly ministry, preaching, the celebration of the Eucharist and confession all in a heroic way because he spent a lot of time in the confessional." 4 Soon his fame spread. His distinct way of praying & celebrating Mass captivated people. His homilies were simple but profound. He also had a great capacity to listen to others. In his later years he would spend 18 hours a day in the confessional. Wise & simple people alike sought his guidance on how to find God's forgiveness & counsel. In 1855 nearly 20,000 people visited him. Card. Poupard - "The secret of his success was that sinners found in him great peace. He impressed them because, through the grace of God, he was able to sense the secrets in the sinners soul and to offer consolation." That's why the Pope, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of St. Jean- Marie Vianney, has dedicated a special Year for Priests. He hopes the faithful, & especially priests, learn more about the saint's virtues and put them into practice.

5 The Congregation for the Clergy The Congregation for the Clergy's online presence is geared towards serving the world's priests, deacons and catechists. The site offers a vast electronic library for research, study, formation, liturgy and spirituality. Click on Biblia clerus READING THE WORD OF GOD WITH THE CHURCH This program offers Sacred Scripture, its interpretation in light of Sacred Tradition and the teachings of the Magisterium, with appropriate theological commentary and exegesis. The downloadable version allows you to connect Sacred Scripture to the complete works of many Doctors of the Church, Councils, Encyclicals, teachings of the Popes, Catechisms, as well as commentaries from secular literature, etc. BIBLICAL TEXT This allows you to locate specific references to Sacred Scripture made by Doctors of the Church and the Magisterium. LITURGIA Commentary on the Sunday liturgy.cross-references liturgical texts to homilies of the Church Fathers THE TEXTS OF THE MAGISTERIUM AND COMMENTARIES This contains the principal texts of the Magisterium of the Church as well as commentaries by the Popes. CANON LAW AND COMMENTARIES Contains current and earlier versions of both the Latin and Eastern Codes of Canon Law, in parallel. In addition, there is a significant "What's On" section as well as a "Current Questions" section aimed at assisting its target readership. Click on Subscriptions at the bottom of the page, to receive occasional updates from the Secretary General of the Congregation for the Clergy. The National Institute for the Renewal of the Priesthood This site has a range of useful resources for the year for Priests, including personal reflections, prayers, and writings from Popes, theologians, celebrated authors and spiritual writers. There is also an archive of Sunday sermons. The Vatican Find all the church documents, publications, messages and Apostolic Letters and latest news from the Vatican. Torch The Order of Preachers This is the web site of torch.op.org, the Electronic Publishing House of the English Province of the Order of Preachers. The Friars of the Order of Preachers, also known as Dominican Friars after their founder St Dominic, are a religious order in the Catholic 5

6 Church dedicated to 'preaching and the salvation of souls'. You can sign up for a free weekly with links to the next week s reflection on the Sunday Scriptures. Past sermons are available at: A liturgical index of sermons is available at: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops This site has an extensive range of documents and other materials including a Prayer for Priests and a People s Prayer for Priests, that be downloaded and printed in colour and distributed in your faith community. (See below) XT3 Launched on World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, XT3 is an online social networking group to share their faith and to build a better world. To celebrate the year of the Priest, Xt3 will be bringing you interviews from priests and seminarians from Australia to America, England to the ends of the Earth. Now, not only will we be interviewing Priests that we love, we were hoping you might like to join in too! So, if you know a Priest with a great story to tell, join the group Year for Priests on Xt3. In this group, we feature all that goes on through the year. 6

7 Publications CURÉ D ARS - Saint John Vianney By George W Rutler (Catholic Truth Society 2009) $6.95 AUD Here is the amazing account of how this simple man, without great expectations beyond saving souls, transformed an insignificant backwater parish in traumatised, post-revolutionary France, against all the odds. Written by Fr Rutler, a parish priest in New York and acknowledged Vianney expert, it marks the Year for Priests held on the 150th anniversary of the saint s death. PRIESTHOOD TODAY - Lessons from the Curé d'ars By Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue, (Catholic Truth Society 2009) $6.95 AUD Bishop Patrick O Donoghue takes the opportunity of this Year for Priests to re-examine the role of the priesthood today, especially in the light of the lessons we can learn from the life of St John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests. He examines four main themes: a priest s courage to proclaim salvation, to share in the self-emptying of Christ, his freedom for mission and his immersion in the truth of Faith. YEAR FOR PRIESTS - Faithfulness of Christ, Faithfulness of Priests. By Pope Benedict XVI, (Catholic Truth Society 2009) $9.95 AUD The example of St John Vianney for priests and vocations today. Assembled here are the considered and inspiring reflections of both Pope Benedict XVI and Pope John XXIII on the role of the priest today, on the occasion of the 150th Anniversary of the death of St John Vianney, patron of parish priests. The Letter and homilies of Pope Benedict on the promulgation of the Holy Year in June 2009 are reproduced, together with the highly pertinent 1959 Encyclical letter of Pope John published on John Vianney's 100th anniversary. They provide an insightful introduction to the Year for Priests and encourage all Christians to reflect on this most important of Saints and on the priesthood itself in the Church today. St Pauls is the Online books also John Garratt/ Pauline/ Cath Bookshop/ Mustards Seed / Rainbow & Mosaic 7

8 CREDO - The Catholic Faith Explained By Fr Marcus Holden & Fr Andrew Pinsent, (Catholic Truth Society 2008) $10.95 AUD This new, illustrated, pocket catechism offers a succinct and reliable introduction into the fullness of the Catholic faith. Drawing on Scripture and Tradition, and fully cross-referenced to the Catechism and Compendium. This book is part of the suite of Evangelium faith formation resources (see for more information. Australian distributor: St Pauls Publications. All Catholic Truth Society Publications available from St Pauls Publications St Pauls Publications, 35 Meredith Street, Strathfield NSW 2135, Australia Ph: (02) Fax: (02) General: info@stpauls.com.au Sales: sales@stpauls.com.au To view other publications for Year for Priests visit: Prayers for Priests Thomas R. Haney, (Crossroad Publishing Company) $29.95 John Garratt Publications 32 Glenvale Crescent Mulgrave Vic 3170 Australia Toll Free: P: (03) F: (03) E: sales@johngarratt.com.au Friendly Guides to the Catholic Church By Msgr Anthony Dogerty (John Garratt Publications 2009) $ Monsignor Tony Doherty has written one book that can be used in three different contexts. It's a beautiful and informative booklet that sets out to provide a friendly introduction to the Catholic Faith. John Garratt Publications has produced three editions of the booklet for three different contexts, each with its own cover and introduction. Catholics are not very different from anyone else in the community but they do hold certain beliefs which affect the way they think about themselves, about other people, about the world around them. Catholic upbringing has a strong influence on the way they lead their lives - even if they no longer go to church. So You re Working for the Catholic Church This is intended for staff working in schools, hospitals, welfare agencies - anyone who works in a Catholic sponsored institution.. There is no dogmatic presentation to alienate non-catholics or non-believers but rather an invitation to understand the special ethos of Catholic institutions. 8

9 So You re Seeking to Renew Your Faith This is a valuable support for Catholics seeking to renew their faith and for Catholics who have had little contact with the Church. It's an ideal book to use in parish renewal programs, discussion groups or RCIA programs. So You re Sending Your Child to A Catholic School We know from surveys that less than 10% of parents sending their children to Catholic schools attend church regularly. This booklet will enable them to understand the rationale behind the programs in the school. Features of this series: - Friendly and easy to use, Full colour throughout, 'Did You Know?' sections, Glossary, Inclusion of a few select prayers, Attractive conversational style, images and layout.downloadable worksheets available. AFTER THE HEART OF GOD The Life & Ministry of Priests at the Beginning of the Third Millennium By Bishop Julian Porteous (Connor, 2009) $29.95 Central Catholic Bookshop, BORN OF THE EUCHARIST A Spirituality for Priests Stephen Rossetti (Ave Maria Press) $24.95 Central Catholic Bookshop, 322 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia P: (03) F: (03) W: PRIESTS ARE PEOPLE TOO By Thomas Kane (Ave Maria Press) $28.55 Pauline Books & Media, 7 Denmark Hill Road, East Hawthorn VIC 3123 P (03) F: (03) E: orders.melbourne@paulinebooks.com.au It took more than 2,500 interviews with priests across the United States for the author to compile this unique, inside look into the life of priests. In this collection of stories, profiles, and reflections, priests reveal how and why they chose the priesthood, what makes the life rewarding for them, the sacrifices their ministry demands, but most of all, how each new day is an adventure. More titles on priesthood: Pauline Books & Media Central Catholic Bookshop Search under Priests 9