PAULIST 150TH CONVOCATION

by Stefani Manowski

It will be a gathering 150 years in the making.

The Paulist Fathers and friends of the Paulists will gather June 19-21, 2008, for a poignant celebration in the history of the order – the 150th Anniversary Convocation in Washington, D.C.

“We invite you to discover the rich history, solid mission and many great works of the Paulist Fathers, our lay colleagues and members of our worshipping communities,” said Paulist president Father John Duffy. All of these efforts have been guided by the Holy Spirit, inspired by the example of St. Paul and have built upon the legacy of Father Hecker.

This milestone three-day event begins with a welcome barbecue dinner at St. Paul's College from 6-9 p.m. on June 19, allowing people the chance to meet, greet and eat after checking into their accommodations.

Things will get in full swing at Catholic University's Pryzbyla Center the next day with morning prayer and the first of the convocation's four top-notch speakers – David O'Brien, who wrote a book on Paulist history and will speak on “The Paulists: From the Beginning.”

Mr. O'Brien is also the author of “Isaac Hecker: An American Catholic.” He currently serves as professor of history and Loyola Professor of Roman Catholic Studies at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. He has written extensively on U.S. Catholic history, Catholic social and political thought and Catholic higher education. Mr. O'Brien has served as president of the American Catholic Historical Association.

Later that morning, D. Scott Appleby of the University of Notre Dame will speak on “The Paulists: At the Crossroads of Faith and Culture.”

Dr. Appleby is a professor of history at the University of Notre Dame, where he is also serves as the John M. Regan Jr. Director of the Joan B. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies. He is the author of “Church and Age Unite! The Modernist Impulse in American Catholicism,” co-editor of “Being Right: Conservative Catholics in America” and co-author of “Transforming Parish Ministry: The Changing Roles of Clergy, Laity and Women Religious.”

After lunch, breakout sessions for the Paulists, Paulist Associates, Paulist collaborators and friends of the Paulists will take place. A Mass in honor of deceased Paulists will be offered in the Pryzbyla Center at 3:30 p.m. Preceding the Mass will be a multimedia presentation featuring each deceased Paulist.

The Paulists will again gather at St. Paul's for a special dinner while all other convocation participants enjoy a seafood buffet dinner and D.C. monuments tour.

June 21 also begins with morning prayer, and the first keynote addresses of the day on “The Paulists: Spirituality in North America” by noted columnist Father Ron Rolheiser, O.M.I.

Father Ronald Rolheiser, a member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, is president of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Tex. His weekly spirituality-themed column is carried by more than 60 newspapers worldwide and is also syndicated through Catholic News Service. His books include: “Secularity and the Gospel: Being Missionary to Our Children,” “Forgotten Among the Lilies,” and “The Holy Longing.”

Father Rolheiser's presentation will be followed by the second of the day's keynote addresses: “The Paulists: Impacting the Church of Tomorrow” by Vatican analyst and author John Allen.

Mr. Allen is a senior correspondent and author of the “All Things Catholic” column for National Catholic Reporter. His books include: “Cardinal Ratzinger: The Vatican's Enforcer of the Faith,” “The Rise of Benedict XVI: The Inside Story of How the Pope Was Elected and Where He Will Take the Catholic Church.” Today, Mr. Allen is respected by both “liberal” and “conservative” Catholics. He is now the Vatican analyst for CNN and NPR.

Participants can choose their ministry-focused breakout session on evangelization, reconciliation, ecumenical and interfaith relations, young adult ministry and national ministries.

After a few hours of respite, it will be time for the summit of the convocation – the 150th Anniversary Mass at 5 p.m. in the Crypt Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The 150th Anniversary Gala will follow in the Great Room of the Pryzbyla Center.

We hope you will be able to join us for this milestone event in the history of the Paulist Fathers! If you would like registration materials mailed to you, please call the 150th Anniversary Office at 202-269-2512. Registration runs from Jan. 1-March 31, 2008. Register online here.

Questions for Discussion

1. How do you explain what Paulist spirituality means to you?
2. If you were going to talk on the “future” and the Paulists, what would you highlight?
3. How might some of the vision of the June, 2008 meeting come to impact on Paulist congregations?

Format for the Meeting

1. Check-in
2. Paulist Prayer (See Lenten-Easter prayers, pp. 265 ff.)
3. Reading: Paulist Vocation p. 148)
4. Reactions to the readings and newsletter
5. Apostolic reports, “Paulist” opportunities
6. Prayer (Prayer for Vocations, p. 411))
7. Announcements and Plans for next meeting
8. Refreshments

Chronology

March 10: Strategic Planning Committee meets in New York
March 11-13: General Council meets in New York
March 1-7: Hecker Week in Rome
March 6: “Nuper Nonnulli” – anniversary of decree creating the Paulist Community – read the decree on pp. 76-77 of “The Paulist Vocation”

CONTACT:

The Paulist Associates
c/o Frank DeSiano, CSP
8611 Midland Parkway
Jamaica, NY 11432

718-291-5995