A Joyous New Year to you!
The AUSCP Leadership Team & Staff
Bernie, Donna, Greg, Jeffery, Kwame, Louie, Michael B., Michael H., Neil, Peter, Svea, Tim Staff: Steve, Jackie, Linda, Paul
Pope’s Message for World Day of Peace
Artificial Intelligence and Peace
The progress of science and technology as a path to peace
Sacred Scripture attests that God bestowed his Spirit upon human beings so that they might have “skill and understanding and knowledge in every craft” (Ex 35:31). Human intelligence is an expression of the dignity with which we have been endowed by the Creator, who made us in his own image and likeness (cf. Gen 1:26), and enabled us to respond consciously and freely to his love. In a particular way, science and technology manifest this fundamentally relational quality of human intelligence; they are brilliant products of its creative potential.
You can access the entire message HERE.
Membership Renewal
January is the month for AUSCP membership renewal. The yearly membership fee is $60 for priest members. We encourage Friends to support our work, but there is no set fee for Friends. We appreciate your membership! Please stay with us by renewing at this link at your earliest convenience, if you have not already renewed for 2024: https://forms.donorsnap.com/
Special thanks to those who have already renewed!
Good News on Matching Grant!
Many thanks to all who helped us meet the challenge of a $5,000 match in December. We met our goal, thanks to you who so generously responded.
Registration for the 2024 AUSCP Annual Assembly has begun!
Eucharist: Sacrament of Encounter
June 24-27, 2024 – Hyatt Regency in Lexington, Kentucky.
Bishop John Stowe will give the retreat.
Speakers: Tom Reese, SJ, Michael Driscoll, Dr. Kim Harris
Registration is now available online, or by check.
Access Registration Form HERE.
In Memoriam
Fr. Raymond Ensman, Diocese of Toledo
AUSCP member Fr. Raymond Ensman, (Age 84), died on November 25, 2023. Fr. Ray served in several Toledo Diocesan parishes, and also served as a high school and seminary religion teacher, Vice Chancellor, Vicar for Priests, and Diocesan Director of Marriage Encounter. He was an Associate member of the Sisters of Loretto of Kentucky.
According to his obituary, Fr. Ray’s many interests included: flower and vegetable gardening, canning, crocheting blue jean rugs, Navaho weaving, hunting, fishing, snow skiing in Colorado, camping, traveling, building bird houses, planting fruit trees, beekeeping, nature interests, and most importantly, spending time with his family and fellow priests.
May Fr. Ray rest in God’s eternal Love.
Upcoming Webinars
There are no upcoming webinars at the present time. Below are links to some of the recent webinars in case you would like to view them. Thank you for your interest and participation!
Climate Crisis to Climate Resilience Needs Partnership with Faith Communities (11/14/23) – Dr. V. Ramanathan
Climate Crisis – View of a Pastor (11/21/23) – with Fr. John Grace
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2023 Assembly Videos are online at: https://auscp.org/assembly-
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Other Webinars/Activities that might be of interest to you:
“The Growing Danger of Nuclear War: An Urgent Conversation,”
On Saturday, January 27, 2024, 2-4 pm ET, Pax Christi Massachusetts will present a virtual program entitled “The Growing Danger of Nuclear War: An Urgent Conversation,” with Santa Fe (NM) Archbishop John C. Wester; Dr. Ira Helfand, IPPNW/Back from the Brink; and Marie Dennis, Catholic Nonviolence Initiative/Pax Christi International. The AUSCP is a co-sponsor, and members are encouraged to promote and attend the event. You can register HERE.
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Christians in the Holy Land: As attention is riveted on the horrible tragedies of the Holy Land, watch Jeffrey Abood’s recent presentation for a first hand account on how Christians fit in as well as the general condition of the Palestinian people. Just over an hour long.
Assoc. of Pittsburgh Priests (APP) – Home Page:www.
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Retreat for Gay Priests, Religious Brothers, and Deacons
Monday to Thursday, February 19-22, 2024.
James Alison, a gay priest, itinerant preacher, and author of several books, will facilitate a retreat for gay priests, religious brothers, and deacons, entitled “For Freedom Christ Has Set Us Free.” The British theologian will examine theology and LGBTQ issues in a creative way and will help retreatants to negotiate living in a post-clerical Church.
Fr. Peter Daly, (AUSCP member), a gay priest of the Washington Archdiocese, will assist with the retreat, which is sponsored by New Ways Ministry. The retreat will take place at Siena Retreat Center, 5637 Erie St., Racine, Wisconsin 53402, Monday to Thursday, February 19-22, 2024.
For further information or registration, go to https://www.newwaysministry.