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Archives Bishop’s Fund supports continuing ed. of priests

Nov. 19, 2014

By Father Kris Lauzon
Chair, Committee for
Continuing  Education of Clergy

Anyone who has traveled across this beautiful Diocese of Ogdensburg can easily see that we have been greatly blessed by our God.  The natural settings of the Adirondack Mountains, the Champlain and St. Lawrence Valleys and even the Tug Hill Plateau inspire us to be in awe of the God who created and sustains us.

However the truly attentive person also knows that God’s greatest creation is not, mountains, rivers, plants or animals but the human person.  Created in the image and likeness of God we are called not only to be in awe of His creation but to freely offer God our praise and worship. 

Bishop LaValley, in presenting the Diocesan Vision for the future reminds us to build a “culture of holiness” with “living stones”.

Unique among the precious “living stones” of the North Country are our priests.  Men who have answered God’s call to holiness not only to praise and worship Him but, through the Sacrament of Holy Orders they are called to devote their lives to serving God in the north country enabling others to know, love and serve the Lord.

Our priests serve the Church in many roles as leaders of Divine Worship, intercessors, instruments of healing, teachers, confessors and yes, even business managers.  They deliver food to the hungry in body and spirit, set priorities in using parish resources, encourage the despairing and bring hope through the proclamation of the Gospel.

All of these are important responsibilities and the priest seeks to undertake them with the compassion of Christ, keeping focused on the Kingdom of God and the salvation of souls, helping us to be “Christ-led, Christ-fed and Hope-filled.”

The Committee for the Continuing Education of Priests is charged with helping our priests to keep focused on God’s will by providing opportunities for ongoing faith formation, such as November’s Day of Prayer, and fraternal and educational updates, including the annual Presbyteral Assembly held in May.

Personal and professional formation is supported through the Program for the Newly Ordained inviting those priests in their first five years of ministry to gather for presentations by senior priests on topics not covered in seminary training. The Committee also supports priests seeking opportunities for short and long term sabbaticals as they further their educational and spiritual background so as to provide better service to the People of God.

On behalf of the priests of the Diocese of Ogdensburg I want to thank you for your generous support of the annual Bishop’s Fund Appeal and the work of the Continuing Education Committee for Priests. 

The Committee’s work helps us to be better priests enabling us to better serve you, the people of God entrusted to our care.  God has called us to be of service and continued spiritual and educational growth will help us answer His calling.

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