THOUGHT
OF THE MONTH

Ongoing formation is a way of responding
to the Spirit breaking forth into our life and mission,
opening up new challenges and possibilities.
It is an acknowledgement of the accompaniment
of the Risen Lord on our life's journey.

(In Dialogue with the Word, no. 4, page 11)

Special Interest

July 2009 Highlights

Money-Saving Tips in Planning for Your Ongoing Education
Who said that Ongoing Education requires spending lots of money or traveling great distances? Our life as religious calls us to be responsible stewards of the funds entrusted to us, so this month we continue offering some tips for reducing costs when planning for your Ongoing Education.

TIP #3 Booking Online: Booking your travel, lodging, and transportation via the Internet can often lead to big savings. Websites like Expedia, Orbitz, Hotwire, and Priceline allow you to take advantage of discounted airfares as well as cheaper rates on hotels and rental cars.

Ten Commandments for the Environment
Bishop Giampaolo Crepaldi, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, insists on the importance of placing our view of nature within the context of the relationship between God and the human person. He summarizes the main points of the Church’s teaching on ecological matters in “Ten Commandments for the Environment.” View the entire list at www.catholic.net/preview.php?id=499.

USCCB's Priority Pastoral Plan Meeting
The U.S. Bishops choose priority goals for each planning cycle. The proposed priority goals for 2008-2011 planning cycle include implementation of the pastoral initiative on marriage, faith formation based on sacramental practice, priestly and religious vocations, life and dignity of the human person, and recognition of cultural diversity with a special emphasis on Hispanic ministry. For videos of the March 23 meeting, go to www.usccb.org/priorities.

Featured this month: 

Picture Page - Check out our latest gallery of photos from a June 16 trip to East Troy by members of the Techny community.

Annual Accountability Statements - June 30 was the deadline for submitting the Statements for 2008-09, but Statements are still being accepted. If you haven't done so already, please take a few minutes to let us know what you've done for your Ongoing Education during the past year.

The "Year for Priests" - The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Secretariat for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations has launched a website with a variety of resources for the Year for Priests. Log on to www.usccb.org/yearforpriests. You can also visit our Datebook Plus page for recommended resources.

HIV/AIDS Education - This month's feature is an article from UNAIDS entitled, New Report Calls for $25 Billion Investment to Ensure Countries Reach 2010 Targets.

Child Protection - This month's feature is an informational brief by the Child Welfare Information Gateway entitled, Clergy as Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect. You can also find a link to the latest Praesidium Safety Bulletin.

Summer Programs 2009 - Summer may be well underway, but you still have time to take advantage of numerous opportunities for your Ongoing Education during the summer months. Check out our listing of over 40 annual programs.

Datebook Plus - Still not sure what to do for your Ongoing Education? Check out detailed information on over 120 events scheduled between now and April 2010. You'll also find information on 20 recently-released books, audiotapes and videos.

In the coming months:

USC Study Day (# 13) - Mark your calendars and plan to take part in this special event to be held October 8-10, 2009 at Techny. The event is being co-sponsored by the Education Secretariat and the National Mission Center. The theme will be Pastoral Care of the Sick and Elderly: In Parishes and SVD Communities. Following up on the XXII International Conference on the Pastoral Care of Sick and Elderly People, we will consider what Scripture as well as our SVD Constitutions say about caring for the sick and elderly, preparing for death, hospice care, and the experience of various SVD members who care for the sick and elderly in parishes and other institutions. Additional details will be released in the months to come, and you can click here to view the tentative Study Day schedule.

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