Current Paulist president Father John F. Duffy (left) and president-elect Father Michael McGarry talk at the preassembly meeting held Feb. 23-25 in New York City. ENLARGE PHOTO | START SLIDESHOW

Marian Howard, a Paulist Associate and director of adult faith formation at the Paulist-run Immaculate Conception Church in Knoxville, chats with Paulist treasurer Father Jim Haley before dinner during the preassembly meeting in New York. ENLARGE PHOTO

More than 50 Paulist priests, Paulist Associates and collaborators gathered at the Bishop Molloy Retreat House in New York City Feb. 23-25 with a common purpose: to identify and discuss the issues that will be on the top of the Paulist agenda for the next four years.

The meeting in New York was one of three preassembly meetings held to get feedback from the Paulist community prior to the Paulist General Assembly to be held in Washington, D.C., in May. The General Assembly is the highest governing body in the Paulist Fathers, and is held every for years. The new Paulist leadership team officially takes office during the assembly, and community priorities are outlined for the term. The last Paulist General Assembly was held in Albuquerque, NM, in 2006.

Four key issues were discussed at the preassemblies: the current state of the Paulist community, finances, staffing and vocations, and Hispanic ministry. The same topics were addressed by preassembly attendees in Los Angeles in January and will be addressed by the delegation in Chicago later this month. Attendees also had the opportunity to suggest other ministerial and administrative issues they thought should be considered by the assembly. The results from the three preassembly gatherings will be compiled and help to form the agenda for the General Assembly.

Father Ron Franco, associate pastor of the Church of St. Paul the Apostle in New York City, participates in a table discussion. ENLARGE PHOTO

Paulist president-elect Father Michael McGarry said the preassembly served as a “listening session” to hear those who live out the Paulist charism.

“It is a great help to hear what the concerns are and where the excitement lies,” said Father McGarry. “It is about how to bring the message of Jesus Christ to the people of North America. The Spirit will be faithful to us because we are faithful to the mission.”

Rosilyn Flanagan, a Paulist Associate from Immaculate Conception Church in Knoxville, Tenn., said attending the preassembly gave her valuable insight as to how the Paulist community functions.

“It was fantastic to know our thoughts and concerns are being considered in terms of the direction the Paulist community will go,” said Ms. Flanagan, who is involved in her parish’s health ministry, women’s group, RCIA and serves on the pastoral council. “Comments from othes during work sessions inspired ideas we could use when we get home.”

Attending the preassembly was an excellent opportunity for John Bertolo to concentrate on faith and the Paulist community.

“It was a chance for us to better know who the Paulists are, what their charism is all about and where they are going,” said Mr. Bertolo, a Paulist Associate from St. Peter Church in Toronto, Canada. “It was humbling to be asked to share my experience, thoughts and ideas with the Paulists. The Paulists have such an openness to the laity.”