Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time
January 28, 2024
The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light;
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death, light has arisen.
(Mt 4:16)
AUSCP Annual John XXIII Awards
The AUSCP Leadership Team and staff met in Lexington the week of January 8th for a planning retreat. The first day was devoted to a day of prayer and team building, asking the blessing of the Spirit on the future of the AUSCP, the leadership team, and all AUSCP members.
At the Assembly, it is a tradition to honor several persons, lay or ordained, who have significantly promoted the spirit of Vatican II by the witness they have given in the way they live, through their ministry, and by the way they share their spirituality. During the meeting, the nominations for the Pope St. John 23rd Award for 2024 were reviewed by the Leadership Team and two recipients were chosen:
Archbishop John Wester, Archdiocese of Santa Fe
Sr. Marge Eilerman, OSF, Pastoral Minister in Booneville, Kentucky.
We will feature quotes from their nominations in future bulletins. When notified of the award, both were eager to give credit to others with whom they have collaborated and ministered.
Special thanks to all who sent in nominations! All nominees were worthy candidates for the award.
Mutual Support Article
MUTUAL SUPPORT GROUPS:
ARE THEY NEEDED OR ARE THEY A LUXURY?
Let’s begin with questions for your reflection:
1. Are you lonely?
2. Do you have an interest and looking to share your interest?
3. Do you have a need to socialize with no big agenda?
4. Are you wanting to gather with a group of priests to pray and share your journey?
5. Do you have other needs and wants to be more fulfilled?
In this article, AUSCP member Mike Bausch explores these questions and challenges us to reflect as to how they might be needed or just a luxury. The entire article is located in the ‘Mutual Support for Priests‘ section of the AUSCP website and can be accessed HERE.
Message from the Gospel Nonviolence Working Group
Art Laffin’s book review (NCR online 1/19/24) of John Dear’s latest book on Gospel nonviolence shows why this would be an excellent book for Lenten reading. Art says: Dear’s new book is a landmark original commentary on the synoptic Gospels from the perspective of nonviolence. In this painstaking work, Dear reveals that nonviolence is at the heart of Jesus’ teaching and action, and a primary requirement of Christian discipleship.
Click on the title of the article to read more: The Gospel of Peace’ makes a case for Christian nonviolence with precision, passion
The Gospel of Peace: A Commentary on Matthew, Mark, and Luke from the Perspective of Nonviolence – John Dear, Orbis Books, $20.00
Registration for the 2024 AUSCP Annual Assembly has begun!
Eucharist: Sacrament of Encounter
June 24-27, 2024 – Hyatt Regency in Lexington, Kentucky
Sr. Kathleen Storms, SSND – Contemplative Facilitator
Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv. – Retreat, 10 AM – 3 PM, Monday, June 24; Bishop of Lexington, Kentucky; President, Paz Christi USA
Fr. Michael Driscoll – Diocese of Helena, Montana; Professor Emeritus, Theology Department, University of Notre Dame – How the Eucharist Schools Us for Action
Fr. Tom Reese, SJ – Author and Journalist; senior analyst at Religion News Service, former editor-in-chief of America Magazine – Eucharist for a Synodal Church: Communion, Mission, Participation
Dr. Kim R. Harris – Assistant Professor of African American Thought and Practice, Theology Department, Loyola Marymount University – You Can Tell the World! Testimony as a Gift We Share from Our Eucharistic Encounter
Registration is now available online, or by check.
Send checks to: AUSCP, PO Box 676, Tiffin, OH 44883
Webinars
There are several upcoming webinars listed below. Please join us for those that are of interest to you. Thank you for your interest and participation!
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What Happened at the Synod? The Call to Dialogue on Co-responsibility and Women’s Participation in Our Church
Hosted by the AUSCP Women in the Church Working Group
Join this special Conversation in the Spirit featuring Cynthia Bailey Manns, DMin, Bishop John Stowe, and YOU!
February 7th, 2024
3:00- 4:30 PM EST
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AUSCP Zoom Discussion Series on Racism
This program is part of the three-year strategic plan to combat racism provided by the Association of U.S. Catholic Priests Anti-racism Team. All are welcome and you may invite others to join. You need not have attended previous sessions and may switch between these sessions as you wish.
Year 3 Task: Dismantle Structural and Deeply Systemic Racism in our American Society
Two sessions will be offered: Wednesday afternoons and Thursday evenings:
Wednesday February 14, 21, 28, & March 6 (2:30-4:00 PM ET) or
Thursday February 15, 22, 29, & March 7 (7:30-9:00 PM ET)
The sessions will be moderated by Rev. John Judie and Susan and Paul Sherman.
Contact Paul Sherman to register: sherman.paul@twc.com
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CONSTITUTION ON SACRED LITURGY
Wednesdays, February 21, 28 and March 6, 13, 2024.
4-5pm ET followed with 30-45 minutes of further discussion.
Host: Fr. Bob Bonnot Presenter: Dr. Joe Torma
Constitution on SACRED LITURGY, Sacrosanctum Concilium
Sacred Liturgy was the first Vatican II conciliar constitution developed and adopted by the Council in 1963. It established several adjustments for Restoration of the Liturgy, especially the Eucharist. This 4-part webinar offers an apt preparation … for the Eucharistic Revival the Church in America is holding during a National Eucharistic Congress from July 17-21, 2024. Other developments regarding Liturgy in the Constitution include the Mystery of Eucharist, Sacraments and Sacramentals, the Divine Office used by many, the organization of the Liturgical Year, Sacred Music, Art and Furnishings used in various liturgical places. This Webinar can help many persons to refresh their liturgical practice and spirituality.
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What is Asylum?
Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 3 pm EST / 2 pm CST
Michael Richard, the Legal Director of Immigration Services for the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge, will offer a thought provoking webinar which will help one better understand asylum law and the reasons individuals seek protection under asylum. This a current topic as tens of thousands of individuals from around the world are seeking asylum in the United States in order to save their lives. There will be a short period for questions after the presentation. The AUSCP Working Group on Immigration is hosting the webinar.
AUSCP 2023 Assembly Videos
The videos from the 2023 AUSCP Assembly are available for viewing at: https://auscp.org/assembly-
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Resources on Anti-Racism
USCCB offers a variety of resources related to their pastoral letter against racism: https://www.usccb.org/
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Links to past videos can be found on the AUSCP website:
Visit the AUSCP Facebook page and invite your friends to like us:
For more information and photos, visit the AUSCP website at:
©2024Association of U.S. Catholic Priests (AUSCP)