• Special Attention

      Accent Modification Training for International Priests

      According to research by Dean R. Hoge, PhD, and Aniedi Okure, O.P., the most common complaint registered by U.S. parishioners about their international priest pastors is the inability to understand their accents (International Priests in America: Challenges and Opportunities. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2006, 51). Saint Meinrad's Institute for Priests and Presbyterates provides accent modification training for international priests serving in the United States. For accent modification training and other programs of ongoing formation for priests and presbyterates,
       visit our website.



      Best Practices in Catholic Church Ministry Performance Management

      Best Practices in Catholic Church Ministry Performance Management, edited by Charles E. Zech, director of the Villanova University Center for the Study of Church Management, and recently published by Lexington Books includes a chapter on “Performance Management and Ongoing Formation of Priests” by Jim Alphen, NOCERCC’s executive director. Click here to purchase.


      NOCERCC has made arrangements with Lexington Books to offer this book to our members at a 25% discount. Please log in to the member section of our website for further information on purchasing Best Practices in Catholic Church Ministry Performance Management.


       


      Cruise Retreat for Priests

      Finding time to take a retreat and get in some vacation is becoming more and more difficult. Why not combine both into a four-night Bahamian cruise?

      Saint Meinrad's Institute for Priests and Presbyterates has been hosting cruise retreats for priests for several years. Join us from October 8-12 aboard Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas. Fr. Guerric DeBona, OSB, gives the conferences to help you prepare for preaching Advent.


      49th Annual Georgetown University
      Institute on Sacred Scripture

       Director: Alan C. Mitchell, Associate Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins

       Monday, June 11 – Friday, June 15, 2012

       
      The 49th Annual Institute on Sacred Scripture will convene on the Georgetown University campus from June 11-15, 2012.  Topics from both Old and New Testaments will be the subject of presentations by a distinguished faculty of biblical scholars.  Lectures and discussions will enable the participants to increase their understanding of the Bible and its continued relevance to modern life.
       
      Institute sessions will meet from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday.  Three major presentations are scheduled each day, with opportunity for questions and discussion following each lecture.  In addition, all faculty will participate in a panel discussion that will close the afternoon sessions on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
       
      Lecturers & Their Lectures
       

      Joan E. Cook, S.C.
      Joan E. Cook, S.C. has served on the faculties of St. Bonaventure University, Washington Theological Union, and Georgetown University. She is the author of Hannah’s Desire, God’s Design: Early Interpretations of the Story of Hannah (Sheffield Press, 1999); Hear O Heavens and Listen O Earth: An Introduction to the Prophets (Liturgical Press, 2006); and Genesis in the New Collegeville Bible Commentary series (Liturgical Press, 2011) as well as articles on biblical prayer and biblical women. She is currently President of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati.
                               



         Benjamin Fiore, S.J.
      Fr. Benjamin Fiore, S. J.  is the president of Campion College, a Jesuit college federated with the University of Regina.  He is also professor of New Testament and director of the Catholic Studies program.  His latest publication, a commentary on the Epistles to Timothy and Titus in the Sacra Pagina series, appeared in November, 2007. His research interests include Pauline letters, Pastoral Epistles, Greco-Roman background of the New Testament, New Testament and Art.  Fr. Fiore provides chaplain services at Campion College and ministry in the community.
                                                
       
       
         Alan Mitchell
      Alan C. Mitchell has been the Director of the Summer Institute on Sacred Scripture since 2000 and is currently Associate Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins at Georgetown University. He is the author of Hebrews for the Sacra Pagina series (Liturgical Press, 2007), winner of the 2008 Catholic Press Association Book Award in Scripture.  He has published articles on various New Testament topics and books such as, 1 Corinthians, Luke, Acts of the Apostles, and Hebrews in New Testament Studies, The Journal of Biblical Literature, Biblica and The Catholic Biblical Quarterly. He is the editor for books on Hebrews in The Religious Studies Review.  He also served for eight years as a member of the Editorial Board of The Catholic Biblical Quarterly.
                                                       
      Learn more about the Institute of Sacred Scripture here, and download a brochure here.
    • NOCERCC and The Basic Plan for Ongoing Formation of Priests
      In June 2000 the U.S. Catholic bishops unanimously approved The Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests and asked NOCERCC to "carry the principles outlined here forward to implementation." Click here for The Basic Plan.
       
    • Convention 2012


      Thirty-Ninth Annual
       NOCERCC National Convention

      February 13- 16, 2012
      Hilton Savannah DeSoto
      Savannah, Georgia

       

      Do not conform yourselves to this age, but be transformed
      Priestly passages and lifelong formation

      If you are interested in ordering an Audio CD of any of the sessions from this year's convention, they will soon be available at our online store.  

    • Membership

      If you are interested in a NOCERCC membership, please contact Lauren Heard by phone at 312-781-9450 x216 or by email.

      Take the first step toward updating your membership online here.  You can pay your membership dues wtih Paypal or mail your payment to the National Office.

    • Featured Program

      Advanced Professional Development for Leaders of Faith-Based Organizations 

      Cranaleith Master Seminars, Philadelphia PA

      The Master Seminar series is designed for those who lead or facilitate organizations such as communities of vowed religious women or men, religiously sponsored hospitals or educational ministries, local congregations and social service ministries.  The seminar format emphasizes collegial exploration of advanced topics through discussion, reflection and case consultation.

      The presenter, Dr. Marisa Guerin, consults to a wide range of nonprofit organizations, in particular Roman Catholic religious communities and ministries.

       

      Seminar #1: Exploring the Psychodynamics of Systems

      October 9-11, 2012 and February 19-21, 2013

      • The power of roles, boundaries and authority in system psychodynamics

      • The complexities of decisions, conflict resolution and shared commitments


      Seminar #2: Planning and Change for the Spirit-Led
      July 10-12, 2012* / July 24-26, 2012* / November 27-29, 2012 / March 5-7, 2013

      *The July 2012 programs are almost fully subscribed as of April 18, 2012
      • Methods and formats for strategic planning in Boards, communities and large and small groups that take their leading from the Spirit

      • The rational, emotional, political and spiritual impacts of change


      For further information and application forms:

      Cranaleith Spiritual Center
      Philadelphia, Pennsylvannia
      215-934-6206
      www.cranaleith.org

      To download brochure, click here
    • From our Partner Organizations

      Saint Meinrad Offerings


      So you're getting a new parochial vicar...
      For the experience to be good for everyone -- the new parochial vicar, the parish staff, the parishioners and you, the pastor -- it's important to make some plans before your new parochial vicar arrives.

      Here are some ideas for welcoming your newly ordained priest.

      Mini-Sabbatical for Priests


      If you’re between parish assignments, this may be the perfect time to refresh your spirit and refocus your priorities. Consider taking just four weeks to relax and recharge your spiritual life.

      The Stoking the Fire Sabbatical offers a quiet place and a focused program to prepare you for the next challenges of ministry. Join fellow priests in this unique sabbatical experience on the Saint Meinrad campus. You’ll find a mix of activities and recreation, paired with time for reflection and relaxation.(PDF)

      Download the Stoking the Fire Sabbatical brochure


    • Give to NOCERCC

      Would you like to make a donation to NOCERCC?