Parishioners found their parishes without Mass the week of Sept. 22-26 when more than 125 priests serving in the Diocese of Columbus met for their convocation. However, many of those same parishioners were instrumental in the convocation being such a time of rest and renewal for the priests this year.
The convocation is held every two years. This year, it took place at Deer Creek State Park Lodge near Mount Sterling, Ohio. The theme of the convocation was “Spiritual Fatherhood and Fraternal Brotherhood.”
Upon arrival, priests received a bag with snacks, a program booklet and one or more letters. The letters came from the good work of the Serra Club, which coordinated the collection of personal letters of thanks to the individual priests for their spiritual fatherhood.
The priests gathered with Bishop Earl Fernandes every day for the celebration of Mass and for the chanting of the Psalms of the Liturgy of the Hours every morning and evening. Presentations on living the fatherhood of the priesthood intentionally, preaching from the heart of a father and other related themes were given by Father Benjamin Roberts, Father P.J. McManus and Dr. Anthony Isaaco from the St. John Paul II Foundation.
Employees of the diocesan offices generously donated a variety of prizes to be given away before each conference session. Prizes ranged from gift cards and bottles of various beverages to a beautiful handmade box by prisoners (donated by a staff member who is involved with prison ministry) and a day on a sailboat on Lake Erie (donated by a staff member who has a boat on the lake).
The priests enjoyed free time in the afternoons and after a late afternoon presentation each day, fellowship and fraternity in the evenings. Westerville St. Paul the Apostle Church and the board president of Buckeye Catholic both sponsored evenings of refreshments for the priests.
The diocese’s Office of Communications sponsored a game night with cornhole (very competitive at times), cards and various board games. One favorite of the priests was Family Feud night. Each deanery chose two priests to be part of regional teams that went against each other in a game based on the popular TV game show, Family Feud.
Father Dan Dury, pastor of Sunbury St. John Neumann Church, served as the host and, like TV game host Steve Harvey, added a great comedic element. Answers had been populated by nearly 100 of the lay faithful of the diocese answering a 100-question survey in advance. Questions included fare from church life, Scripture, entertainment and culture. As you can imagine, the range of answers the priests gave provided for a lot of laughter.
One evening also included Bishop Fernandes recognizing priests for significant anniversaries ranging from five priests who were marking their fifth anniversary to one who was celebrating his 65th anniversary of priestly ordination. That was none other than Bishop James Griffin. He received a standing ovation from all of the priests present.
Finally, the priests were extremely grateful and attribute the great success of this year’s convocation to the prayer support that was received from parishioners all over the diocese.
The Catholic men’s ministry, Wilderness Outreach, coordinated a campaign in which every priest was supported each day by a different man who committed to praying and fasting for them. Each priest was given a schedule of who was supporting him each day.
In addition, more than 300 of the religious, deacons and lay faithful of the diocese committed to an hour of prayer during the length of the convocation. They signed up through a link provided by the Office of Communications to bulletin editors and through social media. On the last day, the priests could look at the list and see that every hour, even throughout every night, was covered by two, three and sometimes five people.
This year’s convocation was a great blessing to the priests of our diocese and it is a result of the involvement and support of so many throughout our diocese.
Father William Hahn serves as a vicar general and director of priestly life in the diocese.
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