Next Week's 2013 ASSEMBLY in Seattle

Religious News Service (RNS) released a report on next week's 2nd Annual AUSCP Assembly -- read it here. That story and the earlier National Catholic Reporter article (read it here) have generated interest and momentum as the Leadership Team makes final preparations for our gathering in Seattle.

Have you decided to JOIN US next week? The resolutions, to be considered by those gathered, offer a focus for every member's attention. They concern collegial exercise of church authority (3 resolutions), the selection process for bishops (3 resolutions); the declining number of priests to serve an expanding Church, including the ordination of women to the diaconate and study of ordaining married men and women to the priesthood (3 resolutions); and a series of particular initiatives: a comprehensive evangelization plan, authorized use the 1974 Sacramentary, reintroduction of General Absolution, appointment of a bishop liaison to the AUSCP, the Labor Priest Project, the proposed Collection for the Archdiocese of Military Services and a process of monthly recognition of priests who help build up the AUSCP.

We invite all readers to ponder these resolutions, reflect on your own convictions, then share them, if possible in Seattle. It's not too late! If you are not attending and did not express your views by participating in the member survey, share them with someone who will be in Seattle. AUSCP is committed to open and transparent discussion and consideration of these important proposals. Lend your voice! AUSCP seeks to be a voice for all priests, to provide mutual support and dialogue, and to prophetic action on the crucial issues affecting our Church. For AUSCP's voice to be trusted, members need to participate in some way.

Priests gathering at Seattle University will continue to celebrate Vatican II's 50th anniversary with a focus on Lumen Gentium, God's Pilgrim People. The Assembly will hear Patrick Brennan offer a pastor's perspective; Catherine Clifford, a theologian's view; Jim Coriden a canonist's assessment; Vatican II reporter Robert Kaiser, a journalist's observations; and Robert Mickens a current Vatican journalist's update. It's not too late to join us. Register HERE. Come to Seattle!

MEET AUSCP'S BOARD

Frank Eckart, AUSCP's Treasurer, was born in Toledo in 1943. All his education was in Catholic institutions leading to a BS in biology from St. Meinrad College, an STL from the Gregorian University, and an MA from St. Mary U. in Winona.

Frank identifies two major influences in his priesthood. When planning to leave the seminary (for the second time), the Second Vatican Council projected a church he wanted to be a part of and minister in.  Later when serving as an associate for Albert Ottenweller -- twice in two different parishes, Ottenweller, showed him how to incorporate Vatican II into parish ministry. Ottenweller later became the Bishop of Steubenville OH. 

Frank entered "senior status" after 40 years in parish ministry in 2010.  Since then he has been active in hospital and prison ministry along with substituting in parishes.  He also heads a neighborhood development organization in the changing neighborhood where he has an apartment.

Frank is grateful for the opportunity to be part of the AUSCP and so part of a larger re-discovery of the vision of Vatican II.  Frank's work as treasurer-bookkeeper and helping plan the Annual Assembly keeps him busy enough to always have an excuse to turn down invitations to play golf. Frank prefers bridge, theater, and travel.  

Frank thanks Members who are keep up with their annual dues. It helps him keep AUSCP's finances sufficient for pursuit of its mission. Dues are $50 per calendar year. Supporting Memberships at $150 are much appreciated by Frank and the entire Leadership Team.

Jim Schexnayder serves as AUSCP's Secretary. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Oakland in 1964. He received his Master of Divinity degree from St. Patrick's Seminary, Menlo Park, California. He has served the diocese as an associate pastor, pastor, campus ministry director, permanent diaconate formation director, and, within Catholic Charities, as director of HIV/AIDS services and director of ministry with gay and lesbian communities and their families.

In 1994 Jim co-founded the National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries (now the Catholic Association for Lesbian and Gay Ministries), a network of diocesan, parish and campus-based ministries with gay and lesbian Catholics and their parents and family members. From 1994 until retirement in 2011, he served the association in roles as President, Executive Director and Resource Director. In the Oakland Diocese he has coordinated three convocation weeks for clergy with the Bishop.

Jim has presented training days for clergy and parish leaders on welcoming ministries with gay and lesbian Catholics, their parents and families in a number of dioceses. He has also been a consultant to Catholic colleges and universities in their efforts to establish safe environments for gay and lesbian students as well as others who have experienced harassment and bullying. Jim is also the author of Setting The Table: Preparing Catholic Parishes to Welcome Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People and Their Families (2011, Catholic Association for Lesbian and Gay Ministry).

Bob (Bernard Robert) Bonnot is the most recent addition to the Board, serving as Communication Chair since May. Bob is a priest of the Diocese of Youngstown, ordained in 1967 after studies in Cincinnati (Athenaeum of Ohio), Washington DC (Catholic U. as a Basselin), and North American College. He subsequently earned an MA in Religious Studies and a Ph.D. in Religious Administration at the University of Chicago, writing his dissertation on John XXIII as an administrative and strategic leader, later published by Alba House as Pope John XXIII: Model & Mentor for Leaders.

In Youngstown Bob served as an Associate Pastor, an Asst. Superintendent of Schools, Director of Adult Religious Growth, Director of Communications, and Director of Planning. In 1987 he started 19 years of national work in satellite and cable television, first for the U.S. Catholic Conference's CTNA, then for the National Interfaith Cable Coalition's VISN, which evolved through many transformations into today's Hallmark Channel. He left there as a Senior Vice-President and returned to Youngstown in 2006 as an interim parish Administrator in Ashtabula, becoming Pastor of St. Nicholas Parish in Struthers in 2007, adding Administration of Holy Trinity Parish in 2010, then merging the two into one as Christ Our Savior Parish in 2011. Bob served as Chair of the Diocese's Presbyteral Council for three years and is now its Secretary as well as a 2nd term Diocesan Consultor.

Bob sees AUSCP as an important expression of priestly fraternity and an instrument of the Spirit for pastoral dialogue in the Church. All priests, whether 27 or 72 (as is Bob), swim and sail in the Vatican II Sea. We need one another as we negotiate its various currents in service to the People of God so Christ might shine ever more brightly in and through the Church as the Lumen Gentium.

AUSCP's Mission Statement

We are an association of U.S. Catholic priests, offering mutual support and a collegial voice.  We are engaged in contemplation, dialogue, and prophetic action on issues affecting Church and society