UPCOMING EVENTS:
The National Catholic AIDS Network (NCAN) has prepared liturgical resources for the upcoming commemoration of World AIDS Day on Thursday, December 1. In addition, parish leaders may call 1-866-431-5593 to register for a conference call for Thursday, November 10 at 2:00 p.m. EST. The purpose of the conference call is to help raise awareness about HIV/AIDS in parishes and to discuss World AIDS Dad activities. Check the NCAN Web site for more information: www.ncan.org. Or call (312) 915-7790.

Guest House in collaboration with the National Catholic Council on Alcoholism and Related Drug Problems (NCCA) is co-sponsoring a Winter Conference on Addictions. The conference titled, Religion and Pain: The Spiritual Dimensions of Addiction and Health Care will take place from Jan. 24-26, 2006 at the Hilton Savannah DeSoto in Savannah, Georgia. Presenters include Father Harry Cronin, CSC, David Delmonico, Delores Doherty, M.D., Joan Ebbitt, Elio Fratarolli, Elizabeth Griffin, Oliver Morgan, Father Ignatius Perkins, OP, Lynn G. Stasior, William L. White and Charles, L. Whitfield. A few topics include, Cybersex and Internet Addiction, Healing the Soul in the Age of the Brain, Disorders of Sexual Desire, Caring for Vulnerable Person: The Dignity of Personhood, Policies and Procedures for Managing Addictive Disorders in Impaired Religious and Clergy, and Body, Mind, and Spirit: A Holistic Approach to Addiction. For more information contact, Michael Morton, Guest House Institute, 1601 Joslyn Rd., Lake Orion, MI 48360. Tel: (800) 626-6910. Fax: (248) 391-0210.

The National Organization for Continuing Education of Roman Catholic Clergy (NOCERCC) announced that it’s 2006 convention will take place from Feb. 20-23 at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort and Villas in Scottsdale, Arizona. The theme for the 2006 assembly is Communio in the Presbyterate Today: Vision and Challenges, Graces, Practical Possibilities. Featured speakers include, Most Reverend Gerald F. Kicanas, Bishop of Tucson, Father Michael E. Connors, CSC, Dr. Patricia M. Kelly, Father J. Ronald Knott, Dr. Paul M. Perl, and Dr. Carolyn, Y. Woo. Dr. Mary Ann Boyarski will conduct a new director’s of Continuing Education and Formation Workshop. For more information and registration contact NOCERCC, 333 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1205, Chicago, IL 60601. Tel: (312) 781-9450. Fax: (312) 442-9709. E-mail: nocercc@nocercc.org. Web site: www.nocercc.org.
The National Pastoral Life Center is hosting its annual parish convention from Nov. 17-19 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Forth Worth, TX. The theme for this year’s meeting is, Where Two or Three are Gathered, I am With You: Spirituality and the Parish. Father Ronald Rolheiser, OMI will give the keynote address. Other plenary speakers and presenters include, Father Eugene Lauer, NPLC executive director, Sister Carolyn Osiek, RSCJ, Richard Gaillardetz, Bill Huebsch, Mark Fischer, and Zeni Fox. For more information contact, NPLC, 18 Becker St, New York, NY 10012-2404. Tel: (212) 431-7825. Fax: (212) 274-9786. E-mail conferences@nplc.org. Web site: www.nplc.org.

The Aquinas Institute of Theology is gearing up for another cohort program beginning in July 2006. The unique Doctor of Ministry in Preaching comes out of response to the 1982 US bishops’ document Fulfilled in Your Hearing: The Homily in the Sunday Assembly. This landmark document on Catholic preaching concluded with a recommendation that a Catholic institution of higher education establish a doctoral level program in homiletics. Aquinas Institute responded to this challenge with its Doctor of Ministry in Preaching. Aquinas Institute is the only Catholic theological institution offering this degree in the United States. This D.Min. in Preaching is focused on the working priest, minister or lay ecclesial minister.  For more information, please access http://www.ai.edu/programs/academic/dmin/index.php or contact Jared H. Ainsworth-Bryson: admissions@ai.edu or call toll free (888) 656-DMIN (3646). Tel: (314) 977-3889. Fax: (314) 977-7225. Aquinas Institute of Theology, 3642 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108.

Plans are underway for organizing the 7th Annual Pilgrimage Retreat to Central America sponsored by the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers. The dates for next year’s event are Jan. 16-28, 2006. For more information contact, Father Thomas J. Marti, Pilgrimage/Retreat Coordinator, 4460 Federal Blvd., Denver, CO 80211. Tel: (303) 455-5669. E-mail: tmarti@maryknoll.org.