From near and far

Priests from English-speaking dioceses across Canada are in Victoria (BC) this week for their annual National Assembly, fondly dubbed VANFPCBO 2008 (that's Victoria's Annual National Federation of Presbyteral Councils Blow Out 2008).

Some of the participants have been here for a few days now, but many of them arrived overnight or through the hours of today, lugging baggage behind them, but eager to be here nonetheless. New friends and old are rekindling relationships and beginning to share with one another the stories which are often told when people who don't often get the chance to spend time together actually get to spend time together.

There are quite a few new participants at this gathering, and therefore a brief orientation session was held in order to familiarize our newest members with some of the nuts and bolts about how the Federation is organized, our objectives and how each diocesan representative fits into the big picture.

The NFPC is made up of one delegate from each English-speaking or bilingual diocese and eparchy across the country. These representatives are chosen by their bishops from among the membership of the Presbyteral Council, a consultative body which exists in all dioceses and eparchies. Members meet face to face on two separate occasions each year: at the National Assembly, typically held in the autumn, and at regional gatherings, usually conducted in the spring.

This week, we will do some very worthwhile work, but we will also take time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and the amazing hospitality which is typical of this part of our country. Enthusiasm and hospitality have already made their mark, including the eco-friendly mugs which were presented to each participant upon our arrival, and individually decorated goodie bags which were prepared for us courtesy of some Grade 2 students.

Following the orientation sessions, the entire assembly got right down to work. The first order of business was a series of regional meetings which allow us to begin discussions of regional concerns, the things which often seem insignificant at first glance, but which can often help the Federation to discover the joys and struggles of priests today in a very personal way.

The theme for this year's National Assembly is Honouring our Preisthood: Where We Meet God. In the first of a series of input sessions, held this evening, His Excellency, John Corriveau, OFM Cap., the current Bishop of Nelson (BC) shared with us some of his wisdom about where priests today meet God. Drawing upon the wisdom of his Franciscan heritage, Bishop Corriveau invited us to reflect on the call for the Church to dare to be counter-cultural.

'The Church needs to be present in the world,' he says, 'always ready to imitate Jesus in washing the feet of those who we meet, but the world will not understand the significance of having feet washed unless they are also encouraged to gather at the foot of the cross and experience the truth of Jesus' redemptive act'. The Church needs to speak boldly to a society which defines itself in terms of technological advancements, calling it to learn anew how to spend time caring for each other. In most cases, we must do this one person at a time, but only in caring for one another will we be able to model the life of commitment that Jesus calls us to live.

The NFPC National Assembly continues until Friday of this week. Other updates will be posted here throughout the week.