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The formation of priests
Topic Started: Wednesday, 16. May 2007, 23:22 (623 Views)
Rose of York
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Birmingham Archdiocese are holding training days for newly ordained and recently arrived priests.

http://www.indcatholicnews.com/newpre324.html

[quote+Independent Catholic News]]BIRMINGHAM - 20 November 2008 - 499 words

Birmingham: training day for new priests

A group of newly ordained and recently arrived priests were given an insight in to the life and workings of the Archdiocese of Birmingham during a special training day held at Cathedral House, on Tuesday 18 November, writes Peter Jennings.

The programme was co-ordinated by Fr Martin Pratt, Secretary to Archbishop Vincent Nichols.

Sessions, held in the Chapter Room, included: Parish Finance, by Fr John Carlyle, the Diocesan Treasurer; Parish Safeguarding by Mrs Jane Jones, and Diocesan Matrimonial Tribunal, by Fr Gerrado Fabrizio.

Fr John Sharp spoke about Parish Archives and took the group round the Diocesan Archives.

Mgr John Moran, the Vicar General, joined the 13 priests for lunch. Afterwards this correspondent, in his role as Press Secretary to the Archbishop and the Archdiocese, invited everyone outside for a group picture.

He then gave a 30 minute presentation about key things to do and to avoid when dealing with the media ­ television, radio or newspapers.

After answering questions he invited the new priests present to write a sentence or two about what they had found most useful and helpful. They make fascinating reading for both clergy and laity alike throughout the diocese.

They included Fr Cecil Rogerson, Chaplain to Selly Oak Hospital, who wrote: "The topics were all pertinent to our ministries and well presented. It felt like we were being carefully and thoughtfully integrated into the Diocese."

Fr John Peyton, Assistant Priest, St Patrick's Dudley Road, Birmingham, wrote: "The day provided a fascinating insight into the life of the Archdiocese. I was struck by the level of care available to all clergy. It has opened my eyes concerning the work being carried out on a day to day basis in the Archdiocese both by paid and unpaid workers."

Fr Roger Dawson SJ, Chaplain Oxford University, wrote: "It was really useful to meet other newly ordained priests and get some practical tips about life as priest in the diocese."

Fr Ugo Ikwuka, Assistant Priest, St Philip's, Smethwick, commented: "I have learnt that I should never take things for granted when dealing with minors, vulnerable adults and the media."

Fr Paul Smith, Assistant Priest, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Redditch, wrote: "It was a useful opportunity to speak face to face with people at Cathedral House we would otherwise just telephone."

Finally, Fr Bob Devaney, Assistant Priest, St Austin's, Stafford, summed up the views of several of the other persist present. He wrote: "It was a valuable day and provided important insights into the practicalities of parish life."

Fr Devaney added: "Seminary provides formation, but hasn't the time for educating us on financial matters and how to make use of archival material."

A second day is now being planned for mid-February 2009 when the new priests will visit Coleshill and receive information about the Catholic Schools in the diocese as well as Religious Education. The priests will also have an opportunity to learn first-hand about the work of Father Hudson's Society and the Birmingham Catholic Youth Servi[/quote]

Reproduced with permission

This is a good thing. I wonder why it is left until after ordination?



Keep the Faith!

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OsullivanB

"Rose of York"
 
I wonder why it is left until after ordination?


Perhaps they're assigned to their diocese quite late in the process and such a training day might be thought to be a distraction during the (I suspect) very intense period immediately before ordination.
Edited by OsullivanB, Thursday, 20. November 2008, 17:48.
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer
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Rose of York
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OSB I understand that a man applying to seminary training makes his application to any bishop of his choice, and from acceptance, knows that if he gets ordained he will serve in that bishop's diocese.
Keep the Faith!

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OsullivanB

Thanks, Rose. I did't know that.

One of my mischievous thoughts occurs to me. Perhaps they worry that if they give them the inside story before ordination, the ordinands might take fright.
Edited by OsullivanB, Thursday, 20. November 2008, 19:06.
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer
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Fortunatus

How many priests?
Where on earth did Nicholls get 13 priests from? And would he like to tell some of his colleagues how he does it, please?
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Rose of York
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Fortunatus
Thursday, 20. November 2008, 19:00
How many priests?
Where on earth did Nicholls get 13 priests from? And would he like to tell some of his colleagues how he does it, please?
Herein lieth the answer

Independent Catholic News
 
A group of newly ordained and recently arrived priests were given an insight in to the life and workings of the Archdiocese of Birmingham


Newly Arrived! Does Birmingham have an Archbishop who is willing to welcome priests from overseas?

If so, :excellent:
Keep the Faith!

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Derekap
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I can understand why it is better for the priests to have had some experience of parish life before gathering to hear others' experiences and advice on how to handle certain situations.

Shortly after a training course in my company the company and the army decided they would start a reserve unit of the army for staff. I joined and got two extra weeks off, full pay and £8 from the army. On the first evening in our hut someone from head office laid back on his bed and said: "I don't know what these people in branch offices think we are". So we told him, fortunately good-naturedly. But although we met for a completely different purpose we did succeed in making very friendly contacts which were very useful. We also compared experiences with customers.
Derekap
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Deleted User
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Nice story
CNA
 
Years after exchanging the gridiron and goalposts for vestments and the altar, Father Richard Rocha is again taking up coaching, of a sort. As the new Director of Vocations, he will be recruiting, mentoring young men in the process of discernment and cheering them on.
Father Rocha, who grew up in St. Joseph, Missouri had always dreamed of coaching football, even while hearing this constant, quiet voice calling him to something greater, the priesthood. It took 14 years for him to answer, while he lived his original dream of coaching. In 1996, he finally realized that it wasn’t what he wanted, it was what God wanted. He made the decision to enter the seminary and study for the priesthood at the age of 34.
He understands the uncertainty and rebellion many young men feel when they first think they hear the call. He also understands the power of prayer when it comes to vocations.
“My mother prayed every day for 14 years that I would become a priest, praying to St. Jude and Our Lady of Guadalupe,” he said. “I had no chance.”

Full CNA article
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Rose of York
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KatyA
Saturday, 16. May 2009, 23:15
Nice story
CNA
 
Father Rocha, who grew up in St. Joseph, Missouri had always dreamed of coaching football, even while hearing this constant, quiet voice calling him to something greater, the priesthood. It took 14 years for him to answer, while he lived his original dream of coaching. In 1996, he finally realized that it wasn’t what he wanted, it was what God wanted. He made the decision to enter the seminary and study for the priesthood at the age of 34.

Full CNA article
What a shame, that men resist the call to priesthood. It might help if we heard less of "think of the sacrifices our priests make. They give up the prospect of having wives and children, and most of them have to live alone." It would be more positive to hear that priesthood is a very satisfying way of life, and that most priests are very contented, and PROUD to be priests of the Church.

Who says that being without a wife and children is a sacrifice? The same applies to nuns. Some people do not have the slightest inclination to marry. Who says living alone is a lonely life? Some people thrive on it.

Two of my relatives were ordained. From the start, both felt fulfilled and happy.
Keep the Faith!

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Deleted User
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The priesthood is challenging but then all the worthwhile vocations in life are. Rose you are correct and in Lourdes the Archbishop of the American Military reminded us of the importance of
Quote:
 
telling our story and putting out the positive message that being a priest is a great privilege.

Priests and parents need to get their act together and put the idea of Vocation to priesthood back on the agenda of worthwhile options for their children to follow and stop focusing on the celibacy as a negative and teach their children the virtue of chastity and the rewards of celibacy.
Perhaps if the virtue of chastity were properly taught to all children, regardless of their intended vocation or career, we might see fewer unwanted and unexpected pregnancies and as an extra bonus those who practice it would not be seen as peculiar and celibacy might again be looked upon as a worthy choice in life.
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Joe Valente
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Penfold,

I agree with you on the need to teach our young people the virtues of chastity.

But let me ask you, as a priest when is the last time you preached the virtue of chatity, spoke about purity, told young men to treat women (including their girlfriends) as they would like another man to treat their sister or their mother, spoke to young women about bringing their virginity to their marriage.

It is a long time since I heard a priest "Tell it as it is" from the altar.

What doth it profit a man if he gains the whole world but suffers the loss of his soul
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Joe Valente
Tuesday, 19. May 2009, 20:13
Penfold,

I agree with you on the need to teach our young people the virtues of chastity.

But let me ask you, as a priest when is the last time you preached the virtue of chatity, spoke about purity, told young men to treat women (including their girlfriends) as they would like another man to treat their sister or their mother, spoke to young women about bringing their virginity to their marriage.

It is a long time since I heard a priest "Tell it as it is" from the altar.

In my current ministry it is a quite frequent topic of discussion with the folk I encounter and I do raise it in sermons, but not too often for fear of becoming monotonous.
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