Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
September 13, 2025
The Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue
that I might know how to speak to the weary
a word that will rouse them.
(Isaiah 50:4)
Continued Prayers for Pope Francis!
We thank God for improvement in Pope Francis’ health, and continue our prayers for him.
O gracious and loving God, please heal your servant Francis of all ills, and allow him to continue his ministry of servant leadership in your Church and world. Amen.
Colloquia Invitation – Deadline this week!
We are soliciting proposals for colloquia at this summer’s assembly. Colloquia are facilitated breakout sessions on topics of interest to attendees. On Thursday morning, there will be two sessions. If the number of pre-registrants requires it, a presenter might be asked to do both. There are a few steps:
1. The potential presenter submits a paragraph, including the topic, a brief explanation, names and pertinent background of the presenter(s), what equipment is needed, and the desired number of attendees. DEADLINE: April 15.
2. All eligible submissions are sent to everyone registered for the assembly, and they are asked to indicate which of the colloquia they are most likely to attend.
3. The non-binding indications suggest which colloquia will have attendees. If needed, particulars are negotiated with the presenter(s).
Send proposals by April 15 to: office@auscp.org
Upcoming Session – Conversations: How Do We Listen to the Spirit?
Standing on the foundation of Vatican II teachings, how do we listen to the voices of the Spirit?
As we hear the voices of those who are marginalized, as we strive to build mutual understanding and find common ground in a polarized world, what resources can we use to resolve issues when voices differ from ours? How should science inform our teaching at the intersections of faith and science? How do we see Vatican II and synodality coming together in practical, local ways?
Please join AUSCP as we explore these questions in our final series for the Vatican II Working Group’s three-year program. We welcome your voice, even if you have not attended previous sessions. Help us hear new perspectives.
To focus our discussions on how we listen to the Spirit, we will consider two questions:
- When we encounter differences, how do we embrace them synodally?
- What resources do we consult?
Two chances to join us! Just click the date you want:
Wednesday April 23 at 8 pm Eastern, 7 pm Central, 6 pm Mountain, 5 pm Pacific
Friday April 25 at 2 pm Eastern, 1 pm Central, Noon Mountain, 11 am Pacific
Request from Fr. Steve Newton, AUSCP Executive Director:
If you know anyone who is being ordained to the Priesthood this year,
please send his name and contact information to: auscpexdir@gmail.com.
Be sure to include his email address.
We will offer him a free year’s membership in the AUSCP.
Donations to Annual Appeal
The 2025 Annual Appeal has reached $113,00!
We have a promise of another $1,000 Matching Grant for April!
We are aiming for $125,000 by April 30th.
To donate, click on: 2025 Annual Appeal
Thank you to all who have helped us reach this far.
Assembly News
It is time to register for 2025 AUSCP Assembly, June 23-26, San Antonio, TX
The Assembly begins with a retreat (optional) by Fr. Ronald Rolheiser, OMI
9 AM – 3 PM on Monday, June 23; retreat fee – $50 (includes lunch)
Opening session, 4:00 PM on June 23; closing, Noon on Thursday, June 26.
Online registration – After April 1 – $495: Click HERE.
Early registration by check – After April 1 – $495
(Send checks to: AUSCP, PO Box 676, Tiffin, OH 44883)
Commuter cost: $435 (includes lunch)
To make your reservation for the hotel ($169/night, single or double) online, click HERE.
Call in reservations 1-800-325-0720, or 210-270-7799; Use Group#10081666.
(Limited scholarships are available. Contact us: office@auscp.org, or 872-205-5862)
DON’T FEEL UP TO MAKING THE SAN ANTONIO ASSEMBLY?
SEND SOMEONE IN YOUR PLACE!
Several members have told us that while they would love to attend the assembly in June, they just aren’t up to it for various reasons, including illness, inability to travel, etc. If that includes you, you will be able to see the keynotes and the retreat later online, but why not send a younger priest from your diocese or religious congregation who has never been?
Afterward, you would have someone to talk with about the week’s happenings, and you would have introduced a new prospect to AUSCP! Please give it some thought! We’ll miss you, but we’ll welcome your representative with open arms. Notify the office if you wish to do this: office@auscp.org
Other Webinars, Videos, and Activities of Interest
Georgetown University – Everything Is Connected:
Laudato Si’, Teilhard de Chardin, and Catholic Social Teaching
Monday, April 28,2025, 6:00 – 7:15p.m. EDT
Intercultural Center (ICC) Auditorium, Georgetown University
Also livestreamed. RSVP for Link HERE.
Laudato Si’ Prayer Guide for April
Pray with Us – Download the Monthly Prayer Guide to join us in praying for the use of the new technologies that respect the rhythms of nature and learn more about the life of Sister Cristita de Leon, MSSC, who is a Laudato Si’ Animator from Mandalay, Myanmar.
https://drive.google.com/file/
Association of Pittsburgh Priests presents:
Pope Francis: Pastor, Prophet, & Diplomat with Fr. Bryan Hehir
May 8, 2025 – 7:00 PM, EDT on Zoom – Register HERE.
Pope Francis is well recognized for his leadership and innovation within the Catholic Church; his impact on the world may be seen as equally significant. The relationship of pastor, prophet, and diplomat illustrates how the internal and external roles relate in his leadership style. Fr. Hehir will explore how the impact of these dimensions of Francis’ Papacy are influencing the world today and into the future. Fr. Bryan Hehir is a priest in the Archdiocese of Boston. He was formerly a faculty member at Georgetown University and Harvard Divinity School. Hehir played a major role in the drafting of The Challenge of Peace and Economic Justice for All, the US Bishops’ pastorals on the arms race and the US economy in the mid 1980s
Sharing Cultures
A series of four monthly Zoom gatherings – 6:00 to 7:30 pm Central Time; 7:00 – 8:30 pm EDT
With real people telling us what’s special about their cultures!
Purpose: to better understand persons of cultures other than my own
Tuesday, March 25 and Wednesday, May 28
Wednesday, April 30 and Wednesday, June 25
TO REGISTER FOR ONE OR MORE, GET A ZOOM LINK, Email: tpmarciani@gmail.com with your name, email address and phone number.
May we have a deeper appreciation of people of all cultures, so we more fully grasp how each person can live to her/his full potential and all of us can live well together. Sponsored by Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission (JPIC) and Anti-Racism Committee (ARC) of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, Joliet Franciscans
New Ways Ministry
New Ways Ministry is excited to announce that we are offering a new workshop entitled Walking Together: LGBTQ+ Catholics in a Synodal Church. The program, which includes presentations, discussions, and prayer, is designed to implement synodality with a special focus on LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Walking Together workshops will be facilitated by New Ways Ministry Senior Fellow Dr. Brian Flanagan, a theologian and leading expert on synodality. More information about the workshop, its facilitator, and how you can host a workshop at your parish (spoiler alert: it’s free!) can be found here, where you can also complete an online form expressing interest in the program.
“Understanding the Lived Experiences of Our LGBTQ+ Catholic Siblings, Parents, Family, Priests, and Allies – Rising to the Call of Being a Listening Church”
AUSCP Women in the Church Working Group held a webinar on February 5, 2026. Close to 650 registered for the webinar and almost 350 attended the Zoom session which featured several speakers, small group conversations, and a Q&A period. Bishop John Stowe joined the speakers to offer answers from his perspective as a bishop. He offered closing remarks and a prayer.
The video is now available at this location.
Our Mission: LEAVENING HUMANKIND in TODAY’S WORLD
by Living the Gospel a la` Vatican II
This series of 5 sessions has concluded. The following videos are available:
Part I, October 2nd; Part II, October 9; Part III, October 23; Part IV, Oct. 30; Part V, Nov. 6
Videos from 2024 AUSCP Assembly are published here:
Eucharist: Sacrament of Encounter
Retreat: Bishop John Stowe
Speakers: Fr. Tom Reese, SJ, Fr. Michael Driscoll, Dr. Kim Harris
Should She Stay or Should She Go Now?
How could the church walk more closely with young women?
Video of September 18, 2024 – Conversation in the Spirit: https://vimeo.com/1014979966
Called to Serve: Catholic Women’s Stories of Opportunities and Obstacles
Video of November 20th, 2024 – Conversation in the Spirit: https://vimeo.com/1036402720