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OVERVIEW
OF NATIONAL MEETINGS
OF DIOCESAN DIRECTORS 1994 — 2004
1994
In this first meeting there was a full attendance with representatives
from every diocese in the country. Some of these were already Directors of
Continuing Education in dioceses where the Ministry to Priests program
had been adopted, others were equivalent persons bearing different titles in
their dioceses or no title at all. There was an air of excitement and
anticipation in the meeting and a readiness for “hanging out one’s
washing”, which was threatening to some. The written report to all bishops and
directors/representatives made negative reading. Yet at the meeting itself there
was a strong sense of hope for the future of priestly ministry.
1995
A
consultant psychologist, Mr Bryan Gray, was invited as for the first day of the
meeting to comment on the “symptoms of pain and hope” identified in 1994. He
diagnosed symptoms “associated with helplessness, inadequacy and depression”
that point frequently to “an underlying sense of impotence” and are often
linked with “states of emotional dependence”. His valuable comments produced
mixed reactions. There was a strong desire to be recognised as priests. All
non-priest members of the National Commission accepted invitations to be
present for the last half of this meeting. A decision was made for mid-year
meetings on a regional basis.
1996
With input from Fr Gerry Arbuckle sm, a cultural anthropologist, on ways
of promoting the ongoing formation of priests in the present time of change in
the church and society, and in a process facilitated by Mr Bryan Gray, a
consultant psychologist, “signs of liminality and chaos” in the church and
in our priestly lives were considered, and the need to “grieve” for what has
been lost. Ways were discussed of ministering best to brother priests in
situations of bewilderment and a loss of the predictable, drifting without goals
and objectives, feeling weariness, at a time of scapegoating and witch-hunting,
and of a marginalisation of innovators. All non-priest members of the National
Commission accepted invitations to participate in the entire meeting.
1997
A response to the urgent need for a spirituality that really energised
and motivated priests in times of dramatic change. Lively discussions in small
groups and in general sessions followed talks from three invited resource
persons, one each day, who addressed spirituality from different perspectives:
Mr Robert Grant, a psychologist, on negotiating loneliness, sexuality and
intimacy; Mrs Bernadette Florence, a teacher, on how a practicing Catholic saw
priests in the Church today; Fr John Thornhill sm, a theologian, on rooting
one’s spirituality in the gospel, the “dazzling darkness” of God. There
was appreciation of a better integration of liturgy and prayer into the meeting.
The general conclusion was that we needed to probe priestly spirituality more
deeply.
1998
This fifth National Meeting sponsored by the Commission chose to reflect
on priestly spirituality from the two perspectives of priestly identity and
priestly celibacy. Fr David Ranson was invited to give input and each day
offered challenging insights on “Imagining Priesthood Anew” by (1)
Retrieving Our Imagination of Priesthood, (2) The Imagination of Community, (3)
The Imagination of Celibacy. Lack of time prevented sufficient discussion of
these insights. Many felt that there was no opportunity in the meeting to
discuss issues and experiences raised by DCEs themselves. For next year’s
meeting, suggestions were made for a change from the Canberra venue, used from
1994-1998, and its overall style and planning.
1999
The content of this sixth National Meeting, held in Sydney, came from
issues and concerns raised in written "Updates" on continuing
education activities in the different dioceses during the previous year,
prepared by all Diocesan Directors. Fr John McKinnon (Diocese of Ballarat), a
former DCE himself, was invited as facilitator. Some of the participants were
asked to give short prepared talks to open a topic and raise questions for
discussion in small groups and open forum sessions. These various topics were
grouped under three main headings: Factors Strengthening Morale, Being a Better
Diocesan Director, Ongoing Education of Priests as Adult Learning. Participants
liked the process and found the topics relevant to their ministry.
2000
For
the seventh National Meeting, held at Clayton in Melbourne, 17-21 January, the
focus was Adult Education for Clergy Today. Sr Rosemary Crumlin rsm from
Melbourne was consultant for preliminary planning, and also facilitated the
opening sessions of the meeting when issues for discussion were evoked from
participants at the meeting. Four main areas of concern emerged: (1)
Relationship of the DCE with his Bishop, (2) Integrated Ongoing Formation and
Pastoral Care, (3) Energy for Mission, (4) Evangelisation of People and Clergy.
Some felt uneasy without a previously set agenda, but there was general
agreement on the relevance of the issues that surfaced for discussion and the
spirit of trust that was evident at the meeting.
2001 The eighth National Meeting of Diocesan Directors was held in Sydney, 15-19 January. The focus was Lifestyle of Priests Today or the Human Context of Priestly Ministry. A Hypothetical, moderated by Fr Gerry Gleeson of the Catholic Institute of Sydney, introduced the topic. Short personal reflections from different Diocesan Directors, later discussed in small groups, included the changing nature of diocesan priesthood, rural ministry, healthy celibate sexuality, supervision and evaluation of ministry, and the permanent diaconate. Looking at difficult questions together gave new strength. Though contexts differed all felt they were on the same inner journey.
2002 The focus of the ninth National Meeting of Diocesan Directors for Clergy Life and Ministry, held 21-25 January in Sydney, was Ministering to the Well-being of our Presbyterates. Four prepared stories of ministry to their brother priests by Fr Terry Lyons (Townsville), Fr Adrian Noonan (Port Pirie), Fr Paul O’Neill (Maitland-Newcastle) and Fr Dave O’Connor (Brisbane) gave momentum to the meeting and set its tone and direction. Ample time was provided for prayerful reflection and for sharing experiences with one another and plans for the future, which again was the central activity of the meeting. Sr Gail Colquhoun smsm unobtrusively facilitated. During the final meal many warm tributes were made to Fr John Reilly sj who, after nine years, was finishing up as the Commission's Executive Officer.
2003 The theme of the gathering, organized this year by the Queenslanders, was “Christ be our light”. An opening liturgy established the atmosphere for the meeting. Three diocesan directors shared their stories (Patrick de Silva, Broome; Barry Ryan, Ballarat; John McGrath, Wagga Wagga). Fr Richard Lennan explored issues concerning the mission of the Church in our world. Self-selected groups met to discuss the following topics: Meeting Jesus in Prayer, Good News in the Little Church, Accountability, Professionalism and Peer Review, Creating New Ways of Living Diocesan Priesthood, and Loneliness. Fr Peter Brock, presented A Jigsaw… A Mosiac - A National Overview, his summary of clergy issues he had encountered in his first year in the position. On the final afternoon Paul Cashen (Adelaide), Greg Bennet (Melbourne), John Daly (Rockhampton) led a reflection on the meeting. During the Conference Dinner, special votes of thanks were made to Bishops Michael Malone and Justin Bianchini, at the completion of their terms on the Commission.
2004 The theme of this meeting was a phrase of Blessed Mary
MacKillop: “We are but travellers here”. Diocesan Directors or their
representatives from the Military Ordinariate and the Ukrainian Eparchy and 26
other Australian dioceses were joined, for the first time, by two
representatives from New Zealand (Frs David Tonks, Auckland, and John
Fitzmaurice, Christchurch). As usual, members of the National Commission also
attended the meeting. Formal input sessions were given on spirituality in
Australia (Fr David Ranson) and ministry appraisal (Ms Janice Haydon, Ms
Natalie McNamara and
Mgr Vince Redden). A highlight of the meeting was the Wednesday pilgrimage to
Mary MacKillop’s shrine in North Sydney. After a tour of the museum, Bishop
Joseph Oudeman OFMCap presided at the celebration of the Eucharist, and Fr Peter
Brock gave a talk on “Mary MacKillop and the
Clergy of Australia – Then and Now”. As always, the whole meeting was
relaxed, prayerful and fruitful.
2005
Attending
this year’s National Meeting were 26 Diocesan Directors from Australia and two
representatives from New Zealand; Fr Steve Hancy (Palmerston North) and Fr
Gerard Aynsley (Dunedin). As usual, members of the National Commission also
attended the meeting. NSW Diocesan Directors formed the planning committee for
this meeting. Three priests gave 10-minute talks on “What the Eucharist
means to me”, followed by feedback from the whole group. Fr Peter Brock
then gave the keynote address on “What the Eucharist means to me”.
Later in the week Fr John Usher spoke on issues related to healthy living. A
“fish-bowl” process raised the following issues: preaching about what I
believe; parish liturgy without a priest; challenges of trust; culture of
appraisal, assessment and supervision; and priests in the twilight zone (those
marginalised because of abuse issues). The meeting concluded with a plenary
session discussing “What will I take from this meeting?” Sr Carmel Pilcher
rsj, who had helped with liturgy preparation, attended the final Eucharist prior
to the Conference Dinner.
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