"The ongoing formation of a presbyterate aims to forge
a collective sense of study and prayer among the priests
of the presbyterate for the sake of their service to the people of
God entrusted to their care. The ongoing formation of a
presbyterate's unity cultivates the bonds of fraternal
connection, support and challenge...[It] makes the very
presbyterate a more transparent sacramental sign."
The Basic Plan for the Ongoing
Formation of Priests (USCCB, 2001, 94)
Saint Meinrad's Institute for Priests and Presbyterates offers
dioceses several models for strengthening presbyteral unity,
designed by IPP Director Fr. Ronald Knott, the author
of Intentional Presbyterates: Claiming Our Common Sense of
Purpose. Diocesan leaders can collaborate with the Institute
to implement these models in a number of ways, including:
- Programs
conducted on the Saint Meinrad campus
- Programs
conducted in the diocese by IPP staff
- Programs
designed in consultation with IPP staff and led by diocesan
officials
Presbyteral Assembly Models
Presbyteral assemblies are based on a a series of four models,
collectively titled Intentional Presbyterates, linked
below as downloadable PDFs.
Part
I: "Claiming Our Common Sense of Purpose as Diocesan Priests
[pdf]" focuses on the theology of presbyteral unity,
on writing a common vision statement, and on hearing the
expectations of internal and external stakeholders.
Part
II: "Honoring the Variety of Gifts within Our Presbyterate
[pdf]" focuses on how giving fellow priests
opportunities to share their gifts and talents with one another is
part of the work of building presbyteral unity and constitutes part
of a priest's spiritual life.
Part
III: "Made Holy by Our Shared Ministry [pdf]" is based
on the themes of Pastores Dabo Vobis, concentrating on how
his threefold ministry is a priest's principal means of
sanctification.
Part
IV: "The Asceticism of Dialogue in the Ministry of Unity
[pdf]" is based on a theme within Pope Paul VI's
encyclical Ecclesiam Suam to help priests learn to speak
with one another more effectively.
Song for Presbyeral Gatherings
"Lord and Teacher You Have Called Us" is a hymn created for use
in presbyteral retreats and assemblies. Commissioned by Fr. J.
Ronald Knott, director of the Institute for Priests and
Presbyterates, the lyrics were written by Fr. Harry Hagan, OSB,
using sentiments from Church documents.
The song can be sung to any of several familiar hymn tunes. It
can be used freely under Creative Common
Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States
License.
Lyrics and Melody [pdf]
Accompaniment [pdf]
Retreat Model
This retreat model, titled "Claiming
our Common Sense of Purpose as Diocesan Priests
[pdf]," is based on Part I of the Intentional
Presbyterates series of presbyteral assemblies.
Song for Presbyteral Gatherings
"Lord and Teacher You Have Called Us" is a hymn created for use
in presbyteral retreats and assemblies. Commissioned by Fr. J.
Ronald Knott, director of the Institute for Priests and
Presbyterates, the lyrics were written by Fr. Harry Hagan, OSB,
using sentiments from Church documents.
The song can be sung to any of several familiar hymn tunes. It
can be used freely under Creative Common
Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States
License.
Lyrics and Melody [pdf]
Accompaniment [pdf]
To request a retreat leader or presenter for your diocese's
gathering, or to discuss implementing
these models on your own, contact the Institute for
Priests and Presbyterates at (800) 357-8477 or by email at smipp@saintmeinrad.edu.
