Schedule of Catholic Conferences in August and September 2008

July 30, 2008

8/1/2008  - 8/4/2008
LCWR – Leadership Conference for Women Religious
2008 LCWR-CMSM Joint Assembly
Denver, CO
The association of the leaders of congregations of Catholic women religious in the US

8/5/2008  - 8/8/2008
NPM – National Association of Pastoral Musicians
NPM Convention (Regional)
Los Angeles, CA
The membership organization for anyone who recognizes and supports the value of musical liturgy. This includes choir directors, organists, guitarists, pianists, instrumentalists, presiders, cantors, and choral groups. NPM’s mission is to foster the art of musical liturgy.

9/4/2008  - 9/6/2008
NAfIM – National Apostolate for Inclusion Ministry
40th Anniversary NAfIM Conference – Winds of Change, Spirit of Inclusion
Huron, OH
A membership organization of parish ministers, diocesan leaders, university professionals, parents, and persons withmental retardation, intellectual disability and other developmental differences. NAfIM’s mission is to lead the Catholic community to the full inclusion of persons with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD).
  
9/18/2008  - 9/21/2008
NACDLGM – National Association of Catholic Diocesan and Gay Ministries
NACDLGM 2008 Conference – “I Am Who I Am, By the Grace of God”
Long Beach, CA
Formed in 1994, NACDLGMfosters ministry with lesbian and gay Catholics, their families and friends. It serves as a network of communication regarding Catholic lesbian and gay ministry and provides educational resources and models of ministry to parishes and dioceses.
 
9/24/2008  - 9/28/2008
NCCW – National Council of Catholic Women
NCCW- 2008 General Assembly – We Are Women of Faith
Salt Lake City, UT
An organization of parish and diocesan based Catholic women’s organizations. NCCW’s mission is to support, empower and educate all Catholic women in spirituality, leadership and service.

9/25/2008  - 9/28/2008
Catholic Charities USA
Catholic Charities 2008 Annual Gathering 
New Orleans, LA
The national member service organization that provides leadership and support to enhance the work of local Catholic Charities organization to reduce poverty, support families, and empower communities.
 
9/26/2008  - 9/28/2008
NABCA – National Association of Black Catholic Administrators
NABCA’s 2008 Annual Meeting
Dallas, TX
NABCA is a national organization devoted to strengthening African American persons involved in authentic roles in dioceses for community building.

9/27/2008  - 10/2/2008
NCDVD – National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors
NCDVD 2009 Convention – From East to West: A Perfect Sacrifice
Denver, CO
The professional membership organization of those who work in diocesan vocation offices. The mission of NCDVD is to promote priestly vocations by supporting diocesan vocation directors in their work.
  
9/28/2008  - 10/1/2008
NCDC – National Catholic Development Conference
NCDC Conference and Exposition
Orlando, FL
An association of organizations involved in fundraising to support religious, educational or other charitable activities. NCDC’s mission is to provide educational opportunities, training and networking in the area of fundraising.
 
9/28/2008  - 10/1/2008
DFMC – Diocesan Fiscal Management Conference
DFMC Conference 2008 – Strengthening the Church through Collaboration
Miami, FL
A membership organization for diocesan fiscal managers. DFMC’s mission is to promote the spiritual growth, the exchange of ideas and information, and the development of professional relationships among its members.

Visit the ActiveParishioner.com Calendar for more details and future events.

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Catholic Webinar on Ministry with Persons with Disabilities

July 21, 2008

The National Catholic Partnership on Disabilities (NCPD) is a wonderful organization that helps parishes and dioceses to work towards the full inclusion of all persons with disabilities in the Church and in society.  The organization was launched in response to the US Bishops’ pastoral statement on persons with disabilities.  That statement is celebrating its 30th anniversary.  NCPD is sponsoring a Webinar to discuss the “Bright Past, Bold Future” in the area of ministry with persons with disabilities.

The Webinar is scheduled for August 13, 2008 from 1 pm to 2 pm Eastern Daylight time.  Registration is free for staff members from NCPD’s affiliated dioceses.  The registration fee for others is $30 per logged-in computer.  The target audience is directors of disability ministry, parish advocates, catechists, parish and diocesan catechetical leaders, pastoral personnel, and organizational and ecumenical partners.  If this is an area that your parish has not yet addressed, attending this Webinar is a great place to start.

The Webinar will “explore the strides that have been made since this landmark [bishops'] statement was proclaimed thirty years ago. It will look at what principles and practices have brought about the most effective transitions and growth in our Church and society related to the inclusion of persons with disabilities. Learn what has worked and what hasn’t from presenters with a rich history and perspective in this ministry. This webinar will also keep you apprised on what are the current trends in legislative actions and where we as a Church are seeking to have an impact. Learn practical actions to take to help raise awareness about persons with disabilities in your diocese, parish and community in conjunction with the 30th Anniversary of the Bishops’ statement that is occurring this Fall.”

To register for the Webinar, click here. 

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Read about World Youth Day (WYD) – Australia Every Day

July 17, 2008

The US-based Catholic News Service has set up a dedicated website to track events and impressions this week in Australia as pilgrims from around the world celebrate World Youth Day.  The page includes a blog with contributions from several writers. 

Before blogs existed, the US Bishops Conference (USCCB) would recruit young pilgrims to write their daily reflections and post them on the USCCB website.  Staff would also photograph US pilgrims participating in the events and post the photos online.  Given the technology back then (primarily during WYD-Toronto and WYD-Rome), this involved having the young people send faxes to the USCCB staff office at the event, or walk a long distance to the office. Then the staff would type in the daily journals and email them to Washington.  There, the bishops’ Computer office would post the photos and journals online.  It was a time-consuming but fun process, and many parents and pilgrims appreciated being able to follow what was happening on a more personal level.

Today with the advent of blogs, this is made so much easier.  Visit the CNS website to read the latest impressions from people participating in WYD-Australia.

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Pope Benedict’s World Youth Day (WYD) Message to Young People

July 16, 2008

At the start of every World Youth Day (WYD), the Pope issues a message to the young people of the world.  It is wonderful to see that wth each WYD, the Vatican publishes translations in more and more languages.  This year the text can be found in 23 languages. The Pope’s message be read in the following languages:  English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipino, Greek, Polish, Russian, Portuguese, Ukrainian, Thai, Croatian, Czech, Hungarian, Macedonian, Albanian, Maltese, Cambodian, Serbian, and Burmese. 

The theme for the message is taken from the Acts of Apostles (chapter 1, verse 8.)  “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses.”

In his message, the Pope emphasizes the promise of the Holy Spirit.  He notes how at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit “renewed the Apostles from within, filling them with a power that would give them courage to go out and boldly proclaim” the Good News. He reminds the young readers that “the Holy Spirit continues today to act with power in the Church, and the fruits of the Spirit are abundant in the measure in which we are ready to open up to this power that makes all things new.”  He invites and encourages young people everywhere to each get to know the Spirit, to build a relationship with the Spirit and to let the Spirit guide the young person’s life.

This is good advice for Catholics of any age.

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World Youth Day (WYD) – Australia Has Begun

July 15, 2008

Pope Benedict arrived in Australia on Sunday, July 13 and has been resting following the 20 hour flight. 

Today, July 15, marks the opening of World Youth Day (WYD) – Australia.  The event will last through Sunday, July 20.

For those who have never been to a WYD, just imagine hundreds of thousands of polite, friendly young people invading a city.  They speak different languages and come from different cultures.  Yet, smiles are common among newly met friends. It’s an experience that can be seen nowhere else. 

WYD’s are held in major cities since a lot of infrastructure is needed to welcome so many pilgrims.  Recent cities include Rome, Paris, Denver, Toronto, Cologne, and now Sydney.  These are cities that generally are filled with busy people going about their business.  Yet WYD has a transforming effect on everyone.  Strangers stop to welcome and to help pilgrims.  Families open up their homes to these young strangers.  The young people can be heard singing in the streets and on the subways.  It’s really an amazing experience, especially when one considers that it is faith that has brought everyone together.

One of the highlights for the young pilgrims is that the Pope is present during WYD.  Many get to meet him in small gatherings and then everyone participates together in a Welcoming ceremony on Thursday, and in a closing Vigil/Mass on Saturday/Sunday. In between, the Pope has many activities and meetings.  Below is his schedule:

Thursday, July 17, 2008

7:30 a.m. Private Mass in chapel of Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral House.

9:00 a.m. Welcome ceremony in Sydney’s Government House.
Address by the Holy Father.

9:30 a.m. By car from Government House to Sydney’s Mary MacKillop Memorial.

9:45 a.m. Prayer visit to Sydney’s Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel.

10:00 a.m. By car from Mary MacKillop Memorial to Sydney’s Admiralty House.

10:15 a.m. Courtesy visit to governor general in Sydney’s Admiralty House. Meeting with prime minister in Sydney’s Admiralty House.

11:05 a.m. By car from Admiralty House to Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral House.

11:30 a.m. Arrival at Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral House.

2:20 p.m. By car from St. Mary’s Cathedral House to Sydney’s Rose Bay pier. Brief welcome with traditional dances and songs by a group of Aborigines.

2:45 p.m. Embarkation on “Sydney 2000″ ship and travel by sea to Barangaroo’s East Darling Harbor pier in Sydney.

Young people’s welcome celebration at Sydney’s Barangaroo East Darling Harbor. Address by the Holy Father.

4:45 p.m. By popemobile from Barangaroo East Darling Harbor to Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral House.

5:30 p.m. Arrival at Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral House.

Friday, July 18, 2008

7:30 a.m. Private Mass in chapel of Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral House.

9:30 a.m. Separate private audiences with the governor of New South Wales, the premier of New South Wales and Sydney’s mayor, with their respective families, in the reception hall of Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral House.

10:25 a.m. On foot from St. Mary’s Cathedral House to the crypt of Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral.

10:30 a.m. Ecumenical meeting in the Crypt of Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral. Address by the Holy Father.

11:20 a.m. Meeting with representatives of other religions in the Chapter Hall of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney.

12 noon On foot from St. Mary’s Cathedral to Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral House.

12:30 p.m. Lunch with young people in the Reception Hall of Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral House.

2:55 p.m. On foot from St. Mary’s Cathedral House to Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral.

3:00 p.m. Prayer at the start of the Stations of the Cross in the square in front of Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral.

The Holy Father will pronounce the prayer at the end of the First Station and will follow the Stations of the Cross on television from the crypt of Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral.

6:30 p.m. By car from St. Mary’s Cathedral to the University of Notre Dame’s Sacred Heart Church in Sydney.

6:45 p.m. Meeting with a group of disadvantaged youth at the University of Notre Dames’ Sacred Heart Church. Address by the Holy Father.

7:45 p.m. By car from the University of Notre Dame’s Sacred Heart Church to Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral House.

8:00 p.m. Arrival at Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral House.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

9:00 a.m. On foot from St. Mary’s Cathedral House to Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral.

9:30 a.m. Holy Mass with Australian bishops, seminarians and men and women religious novices — and consecration of the new altar — at Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral. Homily by the Holy Father.

11:30 a.m. Return to the sacristy.

11:45 a.m. On foot from St. Mary’s Cathedral to Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral House.

12:15 p.m. Lunch with the Australian bishops and the papal entourage in the reception hall of Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral House.

6:30 p.m. By car from St. Mary’s Cathedral House to Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse.

7:00 p.m. Vigil with young people at Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse.
Address by the Holy Father.

9 p.m. By car from Randwick Racecourse to Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral House.

9:30 p.m. Arrival at Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral House.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

8:30 a.m. By car from St. Mary’s Cathedral House to Sydney’s Victoria Barracks heliport.

8:45 a.m. Arrival at Sydney’s Victoria Barracks heliport.

Embarkation on helicopter to fly over the gathering of young people in the Southern Cross Precinct — Centennial Park and Randwick Racecourse — in Sydney.

9:15 a.m. By popemobile from the Victoria Barracks heliport to Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse.

Tour in popemobile among young people gathered in the Southern Cross Precinct — Centennial Park and Randwick Racecourse — in Sydney.

9:45 a.m. Arrival at the prepared Sacristy in Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse.

10:00 a.m. Mass for the 23rd World Youth Day in Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse. Homily by the Holy Father.

12:15 p.m. Return to the Sacristy.

12:30 p.m. By car from Randwick Racecourse to Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral House.

1:00 p.m. Arrival at Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral House.
Lunch with the papal entourage.

6:00 p.m. Meeting with the benefactors and organizers of the 23rd World Youth Day in the reception hall of St. Mary’s Cathedral House and in the Chapter Room of Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral. Address by the Holy Father.

7:00 p.m. On foot from the Chapter Room of St. Mary’s Cathedral to Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral House.

Monday, July 21, 2008

7:00 a.m. Mass in private in the Chapel of Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral House.

8:35 a.m. Leave from St. Mary’s Cathedral House in Sydney.

8:45 a.m. By popemobile from St. Mary’s Cathedral House to the Domain.

8:50 a.m. Greetings to the volunteers of the 23rd World Youth Day at the Domain. Address by the Holy Father.

9:10 a.m. By car from the Domain to Sydney’s international airport.

9:30 a.m. Farewell ceremony at Sydney’s international airport.
Address by the Holy Father.

10:00 a.m. Departure by plane from Sydney’s international airport for Rome, with a layover at Darwin’s airport.

11:00 p.m. Arrival at Rome’s Ciampino airport.

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New Internet Site for News about World Youth Day (WYD)

July 1, 2008

Several Catholic media organizations have joined together to offer news and videos of the latest events at World Youth Day (WYD) Australia. The site is located at www.wydcrossmedia.org. It includes daily news highlights from Zenit News Agency based in Rome. It also includes videos that can be downloaded for free if you first download their media player.

The site also has material that can be used during these last few weeks of preparation leading up to WYD.

In this age of increased communications, this site will be an interesting example of how news agencies can collaborate to offer a unified website that addresses a specific topic.

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