Thirty-Fourth Annual National Convention

February 12- 15, 2007

Hotel Zoso

Palm Springs, California

The Diocese of San Bernardino welcomes our 2007 National Convention as NOCERCC visits Palm Springs Desert Resorts.  Our convention hotel is located in the center of Palm Springs, within walking distance of many restaurants, shops, and other attractions and a five minute drive from Palm Springs International Airport.

Following up on our 2006 convention’s dialogue about communio in the presbyterate, our 2007 convention explores the relationship of priests and presbyterates within the communio of the Body of Christ as a shared experience of forming and being formed among all church members.

“As a body is one though it has many parts,

and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,

so also Christ.

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body,

…and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.”

(1 Corinthians 12: 12- 13)

“Those responsible for the ongoing formation of priests are to be found in the Church as ‘communion.’  …[T]he very exercise of the pastoral ministry leads to a constant and fruitful mutual exchange between the priest's life of faith and that of the laity.  Indeed the very relationship and sharing of life between the priest and the community, if it is wisely conducted and made use of, will be a fundamental contribution to permanent formation, which cannot be reduced to isolated episodes or initiatives, but covers the whole ministry and life of the priest.”

[Pope John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation I Will Give You Shepherds (Pastores Dabo Vobis), 1992]

We gather…

-       To continue NOCERCC’s long-term focus on the U.S. bishops’ The Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests.

-       To help ongoing formation directors and committees translate The Basic Plan into practical applications for the diocese or religious community.

-       To join in prayer and solidarity with the Church of San Bernardino and its presbyterate.

Convention features include:

-       Diverse roster of speakers and contributors.

-       Dialogue, building on our 2006 Scottsdale convention conversation, for priests, bishops, and all

      participants to learn from each other.

-    Liturgy each day, common meals, exhibits showcasing available programs and resources, and many

      other opportunities for networking.

Convention schedule highlights:

-       New Directors Workshop

February 10- 11, 2007

For diocesan & religious community ongoing presbyteral formation directors & committees appointed since last convention.

Begins Saturday, 7:00 pm; concludes Sunday, 5:00 pm.

-       Pre-Convention Seminar

Monday, February 12, 2:00- 4:00 pm

-       Convention begins with Evening Prayer

Monday, February 12, 5:00 pm

-       The Holy Eucharist

Tuesday, February 13, 12:00 pm; Wednesday, February 14, 10:00 am; Thursday, February 15, 8:00 am

-       Awards Banquet: Reception & Dinner

Monday, February 12, 6:00 pm

-       Major speakers & dialogue

Tuesday, February 13; Wednesday, February 14; Thursday morning, February 15

-       NOCERCC Business Meeting & Regional Meetings

Tuesday, February 13, 3:30 pm

-       Convention closing session concludes

Thursday morning, February 15, 11:00 am

More information & registration:

All NOCERCC members and others already on our mailing list will receive more information and a registration form by email and postal service.  The estimated mailing date for the convention brochure is September 1, 2006.

If you would like to be sure you are on our mailing list for convention information:

(          Email your full name, organization, postal address, email address, telephone number, and fax number to the National Office at nocercc@nocercc.org;

(          Fax your request to 312- 442-9709; or

(          Call us at 312-781-9450.