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Press Release - Extraordinary Pastoring Conference 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – JANUARY, 2010
EXTRAORDINARY PASTORING CONFERENCE
 “We gathered together to pray, we gathered to work together, called by the Holy Spirit, responding to His call, ready to lead, ready to serve a Church that we love.”
Sandra Elizondo, Pastoral Life Director, Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Called by different titles around the country (Parish Life Coordinators, Parish Directors, Pastoral Life Coordinators/Directors, Pastoral Administrators), lay people and deacons serving as leaders of Catholic parishes around the country gathered for their first national conference at the Mercy Center in Burlingame, California from January 25–28, 2010.
“Extraordinary Pastoring” was the title given for this conference gathering those who lead parishes under a special provision of canon law during times of priest shortage. The group shared many positive experiences of leading Catholic parishes across the nation and began planning for the development of a national professional ministry organization.
This national conference, which gathered parish and diocesan leaders from around the United States, along with some from Canada, and Australia, was co-sponsored by the National Federation of Priests’ Councils (NFPC), the National Pastoral Life Center, and the Midwest Pastoral Administrators Conference. The conference included many distinguished speakers including the Most Rev. Gabino Zavala, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, who discussed important documents establishing guidelines for PLCs in his region, such as, “As One Who Serves,” “Shoulder to Shoulder,” and “Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord,” as well as selected codes of canon law. Dr. Edward P. Hahnenberg, Associate Professor of Theology at Xavier University in Cincinnati and consultant to the United States Bishops’ Subcommittee on Lay Ministry, presented a lecture on the theological and ecclesiological implications of canon 517.2. Conference attendees enjoyed dialogue with each other and with other renowned church experts.
Outcomes of this conference included efforts underway to form a new professional ministry organization for those serving in ministry under canon 517.2, and new collaborative efforts with other national church organizations, including the National Federation of Priests’ Councils.
Regional contacts:
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Midwest: Eastern Region:
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Western Region: South:
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