November 10, 2014
The annual gathering of Paulist pastors, directors and superiors is not just your average can’t-wait-until-its-over meeting.
“It is an opportunity for ongoing leadership formation, and mutual support for Paulists in like ministries,” said Father Eric Andrews, president of the Paulist Fathers, of the Nov. 4-6 meeting at St. Paul’s College in Washington, D.C. “It is also an opportunity for the Presidential Board [responsible for the day-to-day administration of the community] to communicate key initiatives of the community in the year ahead and enlist their advice, counsel and support.”
The initiatives set out at the Paulist General Assembly, held this past May, and the “Radical Paulist Conversion” document were major topics of discussion. Father Andrews also said the Paulists will be “reflecting on our special charism in the church and seeking to renew our call to be Missionaries to North America” during the upcoming Year of Consecrated Life declared by Pope Francis beginning on Nov. 29, the First Sunday of Advent. A discussion was also begun on updating the formation of Paulist priests.
“As ‘pastor to the pastors’ these days together are important to support those priests who have many important burdens,” Father Andrews said. “I have a chance to learn how our Paulist Mission is being applied in various parishes, campuses, and special ministries.”
Father Paul Huesing, CSP, pastor of Old St. Mary’s Church in Chicago, said this meeting allows for the Paulist leadership to receive a wider range of feedback on important issues.
“Upon their return home, those attending can meet with their repective local houses and fill them in,” Father Huesing said. “[The meeting] a provides a shot in the arm and encouragement to ‘mid-level management.'”
For Father Tom Gibbons, CSP, administrator at St. Peter’s Church in Toronto, the meeting is an important reminder of “how we are all working on a larger mission,” and that it not just about one individual parish or center, as important as that is.”
Having the opportunity to “gather, learn from one another and support one another in our ministries,” was another important aspect of the meeting for Father Gibbons.