PREPARING TO CELEBRATE 150 YEARS

At the 2006 Assembly, the Paulists gave direction for preparations to get underway for our 150th Anniversary in 2008. Below are some of the basic ideas that were to be explored. Associates might think about this anniversary and reflect on how this occasion might provide opportunity to both deepen Paulist awareness and participate in the various celebrations, both local and national.

SAVE THE DATES: COMMUNITY-AND-FRIENDS GATHER FOR OUR 150TH ANNIVERSARY IN WASHINGTON, DC, FROM JUNE 19TH TO THE 21ST. , 2008

From the 150th Assembly:

Rev. Paul Robichaud CSP

History:
The Anniversary Committee was constituted under the leadership of Eric Andrews in two forms. The original committee met from 2003-2004. The original members were Kevin Lynch and Bob Pinkston from the General Council, Eric Andrews, Mike Everden and Paul Robichaud from the General Community. An enlarged committee met in 2005 that included additional members Frank DeSiano, Michael Hunt, Jack Lynch, Gilbert Martinez, Rosine Reynolds and Dave Dwyer. The original committee created a video featuring John Duffy and polled each foundation on the shape of the anniversary celebration. The enlarged committee, building upon the feedback provided, designed an outline for the celebration with suggestions for specific programming. This committee recommended the creation of a national office for the anniversary with a Paulist coordinator and a lay director to continue its work.

A search committee of Steve Bossi, John Hurley, Jamie Baca and Paul Robichaud advertised widely for a director and conducted interviews with some 12 candidates. Ms. Stefani Manowski was hired recently to direct the office and to remain in place after the anniversary (presuming a positive evaluation) as Director of the Office of Paulist Media Relations. The General Council and Presidential Board were also briefed on the progress of anniversary planning. As a part of the Pre-Assembly, Paulist foundations were also polled as to the anniversary celebration and their expectations.

Three Year Cycle:
The Anniversary planning and implementation will follow a three year cycle. The year 2006 serves as year to establish the office for the anniversary, to establish liaisons with each Paulist foundation, establish communication with other national offices, and to develop programming for approval by the General Council. The year 2007 serves as a year to enlarge the network of communication between the national office and the local foundations, to establish anniversary committee and provide volunteer training in each foundation, and to build excitement and motivation for the upcoming anniversary. The year 2008 from January to December will have a calendar of events celebrating on both the local and national levels.


Fr. Robichaud and Stefani Manowski explain the various parts of the 150th Anniversary Celebration in Wash. DC to Paulist pastor/directors.

Programs:
In 2007 two programs are envisioned beyond the planned networking and training for the anniversary. This includes Hecker Walks of old New York, a weekend of workshops, walking tours and a performance and dinner program on the life and ministry of Isaac Hecker. Holy Spirit/Saint Paul retreats will also be available to Paulist staffs and lay leadership under the direction of Bruce Nieli and Terry Ryan.

In 2008, programs will divide between national and local. National programs include:

● A general convocation to be held at the Catholic University of America in the May/June time frame.
● The publication of a history of Paulist ministry
● A major preaching and multi-media teleconference on the theme of reconciliation "to heal the church," that will include every foundation with an invitation to the local community beyond our foundation.
● A pilgrimage to Rome on the occasion of Nuper nonnulli

Local foundation programs include:

● The week of Christian Unity Octave being hosted in each foundation as the beginning of the Anniversary year.
● A regional celebration in each of our local foundations
● Pentecost 2008 Mass of the Holy Spirit

A variety of additional and optional programs for each foundation made available through the National Office for the 150th Anniversary that may include:

● A celebration of multiculturalism
● A local Paulist history day with a traveling exhibit and speakers
● A speaker series on reconciliation
● Programs are subject to a budget review by the General Council.

Materials for Celebration:
The anniversary office will serve as a resource to the local foundation and provide materials as well as programming resources. This may include celebration stoles for Paulists, ball caps, shirts and other items.

It is expected that at the anniversary dinner as a part of the national convocation Hecker awards will be given, but this idea is still in process.

In preparation to celebrate One Hundred Fifty years of Paulist ministry in the year 2008, this General Assembly, building upon the recommendations of the 2002 Assembly, enthusiastically endorses a program to remember, to give thanks and to unite in future commitment, the Paulists, our Associates, our Collaborators and our gathered communities in national and local celebrations. This Assembly thanks the Anniversary Celebration Committee established by the 2002 Assembly for their hard work and planning and it further mandates the newly established Office for the 150th Anniversary to implement this program with the guidance of the General Council.

This program is envisioned to include:
● A general convocation to be held at the Catholic University of America
● The publication of a history of Paulist ministry
● A major preaching, multi-media event that includes every foundation
● A pilgrimage to Rome on the occasion of Nuper nonnulli
● A " Footsteps of Father Hecker" tour of old New York
● A regional celebration in each of our local foundations
● A variety of additional and optional programs for each foundation made available through the National Office for the 150th Anniversary.

150TH ANNIVERSARY OFFICE
Stefani Manowski
Rev. Paul Robichaud, CSP
3015 4th St. NE
Washington, DC 20017
(202) 269-2521



A SUGGESTED FORMAT FOR THE MEETING

1. Welcome and check in
2. Prayer from the Paulist Prayer Book
3. Reading from "The Paulist Vocation," 69-71 revealing the feelings of Fr. Hecker at the time Pius IX dispensed him and his co-petitioners from their vows as Redemptorists.
4. General reflections on the passage from Fr. Hecker
5. Review of Suggested Questions about how Associates might be involved in the 150th Anniversary of the Paulists
6. New Business
7. Individual Reports: Apostolic opportunities that have come my way. (Encourage members to share situations in which some of the Paulist vision and Fr. Hecker's charisms were exercised.)
8. Plans for the next meeting.
9. Closing Prayer (For vocations, p. 411 in Paulist Prayer book.)



SUGGESTED QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. In what ways do you think local groups of Associates might give emphasis to this 150th Anniversary of the Paulists? Any particular suggestions and ideas for the local foundation?

2. If you can imagine Fr. Hecker being alive today, what do you think would be the main parts of Paulist ministry he would want to emphasize today?

3. When you think of Fr. Hecker coming back from Rome after the 1858 decree, what you do think were his primary feelings?


Chronology

OCTOBER
Revised and updated Paulist Web Site opens (www.paulist.org)
October 23: Death of Fr. Joe Hanley, CSP in San Francisco
October 24: Paulists in General Ministry Offices meet in NYC to discuss pastoral initiatives and regionalization