Ongoing Journey

 The term “ongoing formation” is a reminder that the one experience of discipleship of those called to the priesthood is never interrupted. The priest not only “learns to know Christ” but, under the action of the Holy Spirit, he finds himself within a process of gradual and continuous configuration to him, in his being and in his acting, which constantly challenges the person to inner growth.

80 The Gift of Priestly Vocation

The Archbishop has appointed Rev Desmond Moloney PP as a member of the Clergy Life and Ministry Office responsible for ongoing formation.  This appointment will take effect on 19 April 2023 and will be in addition to his new appointment (as from 31 May 2023) as Parish Priest of Ascot Vale Parish.

Charter

Committee for the Ongoing Formation of Clergy

Archdiocese of Melbourne -June, 2015

“I will give you shepherds after my own heart” (Jer 3:15)

Commitment to the ongoing formation of priests and deacons of the Archdiocese is central in deepening each man’s love of Christ the good shepherd, in his mission to God’s people and for attending to the overall well-being of clergy. In drawing upon Pastores Dabo Vobis (1992) the efforts of the Committee for the Ongoing Formation are to keep as their guiding principles the human, intellectual, spiritual and pastoral dimensions of ongoing formation.

Ongoing formation is a permanent feature of the life of every priest and permanent deacon. Therefore, attentiveness to every age, phase, cultural heritage, stage, ministerial appointment, responsibility and maturation should be shaped by a continual dynamic approach. It should be creative, imaginative and open to new modes of education appropriate to each stage in the priestly journey. Life-long formation is at the heart of the Christian life and is to be expected of every priest and deacon in the Archdiocese.

There should be a connection between the initial formation received in the seminary and/or other houses of formation and ongoing formation after ordination. Dialogue between the Committee and the Rector/staff of Corpus Christi College will instil in men preparing for priesthood a positive attitude and disposition toward ongoing formation. The dialogue between the Director of the Permanent Diaconate Programme, Director of Ongoing Formation of Permanent Deacons and the Committee will support consistency in approach, reflection and delivery.

The relationship between the Director of Ministry to Priests and the Committee for the Ongoing Formation of Clergy is vital and pivotal. The connection between the personal care of clergy and ongoing formation intersect in the role of Director. The Director of Ministry to Priests is therefore to be an ex-officio member of the Committee. The Committee is charged with the development of strategies, design and structure of formation opportunities and is to assist the Director of Ministry to Priests in their implementation and delivery.

The Committee for the Ongoing Formation of Clergy is to be mindful of the following:

• Newly ordained priests/deacons and the first five/ten years of ministry

• Priests undertaking their first appointment as Parish Priest or Administrator

• Priests who are in transition to the Archdiocese from overseas who have generously responded to the call to ministry in Melbourne

• Priests/deacons whose responsibilities require further skilling in leadership and the skills to equip clergy for effective Christian witness in the Australian context

• Priests who face transitions which impinge on their wellbeing and leadership

• Priests who are preparing for future retirement

• Those who are retired

The Committee for the Ongoing Formation of Clergy consists of the Chair who is to be a priest, four other priests, two lay people or religious, the Director of Ministry to Priests ex-officio, and the Director for the Ongoing Formation of Deacons.

The Chair is to take responsibility for the conduct and management of the Committee, reporting to the Archbishop and assisting the Director of Ministry to Priests in the cooperative delivery of approved directions.

The Committee for the Ongoing Formation of Clergy will:

• Assist in the development of a systematic approach to ongoing formation for priests and deacons

• Develop opportunities for spiritual renewal through promotion of retreats (expected one week each year), recollections and the support of the spiritual lives of clergy

• Plan the Annual Clergy Conference, engaging guests lecturers, designing the process and evaluation

• Design short courses which attend to the specific needs of the clergy of Melbourne and which assist them in their capacity to respond to the challenge of evangelisation. The Committee will also assist in the engagement of suitable lecturers, facilitators and leaders as required

• Assist the Director of Ministry to Priests in reviewing the transitional formation required for newly arrived priests from overseas and their mentoring

• Will nominate one member who will assist priests in their planning for sabbatical before approval by the Archbishop

• Develop methods of assessing effectiveness of courses and determination of specific educational and formation needs of the Melbourne presbyterate

• Act as a point of reference for engagement with the National Office of Clergy Life and Ministry and, where necessary, other organisations

• Assist the Director of Ministry to Priests in the preparation of annual budgets and reports to the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne

• Assist the Archbishop in advising on those matters which effect the unity, brotherhood and shared mission of the clergy in the Archdiocese

It is recommended the Committee meet no less than 8 times per annum. The Chair to set regular meetings with the Archbishop or Vicar General in order to report on the Committee’s recommendations and seek endorsement. The Chair is to ensure regular communication between the Committee and the Director of Ministry to Priests is maintained outside formal meetings.

The Committee for the Ongoing Formation of Clergy is to ensure a continual focus on Pastores Dabo Vobis, to draw upon the rich well of Scripture, Tradition and the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, the enduring spiritual resources of the Church, social sciences, attentiveness to the context of the proclamation and the issues faced by clergy in the daily exercise of their ministry. There should be engagement with the vast resources of the Archdiocese, various Catholic Institutes, and expertise within and beyond the Church.

“Truly each priest has the duty, rooted in the sacrament of holy orders, to be faithful to the gift God has given him and to respond to the call for daily conversion which comes with the gift himself” Pastores Dabo Vobis # 7