2018 Central Region Gathering

CENTRAL REGION OF THE CFPC GATHERS IN TORONTO 
CFPC HOLDS 2018 CENTRAL REGIONAL GATHERING IN TORONTO

The Central Region of the Canadian Federation of Presbyteral Councilsheld their 2018 Regional Gathering in Toronto from 21-22 May. Regional Vice-President Fr. Louis Groetelaars, who is also the Diocesan Representative for Alexander-Cornwall, organized the event for the Victoria Day long-weekend when most representatives could make time to attend (having just celebrated Pentecost in their respective parishes).

The city of Toronto - relatively central to the region - was selected to better facilitate easier access for attendance. Furthermore, an airport hotelwas chosen in order that both those driving and flying would reach it easily. Not all Central representatives were able to attend, but those that did, included: Regional Vice-President Rev. Louis Groetelaars(Alexandria-Cornwall), Rev. Sean Lee Lung(Toronto), Rev. Lindsay Harrison(Ottawa), Rev. James Beanish(Pembroke), Rev. Peter Keller(London), Rev. Michal Kruszewski(Hamilton), Rev. Michael Mahoney(Thunder Bay), Rev. Rico Passero(St. Catherines), Rev. John Perdue(Peterborough) and Federation President Rev. Michael Kwiatkowski(Winnipeg). Those that sent regrets included: Rev. Rod McNeill(Kingston), Rev. Anthony Man-Son-Hing(Sault Ste. Marie) and Liaison Bishop, Most. Rev. Robert Bourgon. Other dioceses and eparchies were also not represented.
 
The agenda, aside from the usual review of minutes, diocesan/eparchial reports and other administrative matters, included a review of the 2017 National Assembly and then what the representatives would like to see at the 2018 Assembly planned for the middle of October in Charlottetown. The group was unanimously pleased with the calibre and expertise of the 2017 speakers (see communique below) and are looking forward to more of the same this year. One of the highlights of the discussions was the sharing about various pastoral and spiritual programs that were being employed in some of the dioceses and eparchies. The benefit was that the programs were not merely mentioned or promoted by their creators, but they were given a fair assessment by priests that have actual experience with them. Some of the more widely used programs included: “Formed”, “Chosen”, “Decision Point” by Ascension Press, “Vibrant Parish”, “Alpha”, “Divine Renovation” and the “Good Leaders, Good Shepherds” learning modules developed by the Catholic Leadership Institute.
 
Very helpful deliberations also took place concerning the original goals of the alliance and what direction it needs to take in the future to become more effective and more beneficial to the members and all the clergy it wants to support. Communicating to all CFPC members the wealth of information that is presented and exchanged at all Federation events was seen as a priority that the CFPC must address. The Central Region decided to turn their discussions into a concrete proposal that was unanimously supported and will be presented to both the Federation executive and to the National Assembly in October.
 
The priest-representatives, as is the tradition, also took time to pray together at various junctures during the Gathering – including the evening prayer, morning prayer and the Mass for Pope Francis’ new Marian Feast in the Roman Catholic Church – “Mary Mother of the Church”. Beginning this year, this feast will be commemorated annually on the Monday after Pentecost. Being a gathering of priests, a highlight was the opportunity for brother clergy to concelebrate the Eucharistic Liturgy together (although a few eyebrows may have been raised when the Mass time on Tuesday was announced for 7:00 AM). Midway through the gathering, they also took a break for an evening meal out at a neighbouring restaurant where the discussions continued, of course, albeit in an atmosphere that was less formal and more in the spirit of brothers around the dinner table.
 
It is the hope that the information that the Representatives take home will be able to be shared with local Bishops and with the respective Presbyteral Councils. The executive will review the Central Region’s proposals and act upon them as is appropriate leading up to the National Assembly.