Paulist Assembly

Editor's Note: I wrote this post while in NYC a couple of weeks ago, but wasn't able to post it and then, well, forgot about it.

I've spent the last three days at the Bishop Molloy Passionist Retreat House in Jamiaca, NY (which is actually Queens, but as far as "city" names go, everything in Queens is connected to a local neighborhood "city"). While i wish I could be taking an actual retreat here in the midst of everything, I've been taking part in a Pre-Assembly Regional Meeting for the Paulist Fathers religious order.

 

I'll break this all down.

 

The Paulist Fathers is the religious order that has probably done things you've heard about, without realizing it. They staff St. Austin's and the University Catholic Center in Austin. They are the guys behind the Busted Halo website and SiriusXM Satilitte Show. The movie Entertaining Angels about Dorothy Day and Romero about slained Archbishop Oscar Romero were produced by Paulist Productions. If you're ever heard of Greenleaf's Servant Leadership, the Paulist Press publishes that book as well as countless others. They were the first religious order founded in the United States by a citizen of the United States. Their mission is to serve as Missionaries to North America, giving the Gospel a voice.

 

Every four years, the Paulists elect fellow Paulist priests to serve on their Assembly. This is the highest-authority body within the Order and they set the agenda for the next four years for the newly elected or re-elected president to enflesh. Prior to the Assembly meeting, which will take place in May 2010, they invite all Paulists as well as lay associates and collaborators to gather to discuss the current situation of the Order and to get an idea of the rumblings from the ground for the Assembly.

I can't say too much about it. No, there's not some super secret church rule. Since there is no ordination this year, they aren't asking everyone to travel to one place at one time for the pre-assembly, but rather to one of three regional meetings across the country. The final regional meeting is yet to occur and to respect the process, they asked that we not comment on the listening session to those who are yet to attend. While I don't know if any Paulists or Paulist collaborators read this, I'd rather not chance it.

I will say that I was very impressed with how open, honest and candid the Paulist family can be when looking at major issues. Please keep the Paulist Fathers and their new leadership in your prayers