- Priests & People

June 2004

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this Issue

Training for a happy life

The Editor

Formation, change and commitment

Roderick Strange

Relentless, despised, misunderstood those words describe the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. Roderick Strange is Rector of the Beda College, Rome, and author of The Risk of Discipleship (see review on page 249). Here he describes the challenges which a man being formed for the priesthood today must face if he is to follow Jesus.

Balaam and the training of priests

Tony Philpot

Tony Philpot, spiritual director at the English College, Rome, makes a wish-list of the qualities needed for the priest of today with the help of the far-seeing Balaam.

Priests as people

Tina Beattie

Tina Beattie was asked for her opinion on the qualities she would like to see in a priest especially if a son of hers were to receive and answer a clerical vocation. Dr Beattie lectures in Christian Studies and runs an MA in Religion and Human Rights at the University of Surrey Roehampton.

A priest at the coal face

Sean Connolly

A young priest reflects on his formation having faced the reality of taking over his first parish. Sean Connolly, of Wymondham in Norfolk, sees the future challenge for the Church in reforming and recapturing the true essence of priestly minstry among our people.

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Ongoing formation

Paul Townsend

How is todays priest to survive under increasing pressures? Paul Townsend, parish priest of St Francis de Sales, Newbury, and Episcopal Vicar for Clergy Formation for the Diocese of Portsmouth, outlines a practical programme for ongoing care and formation.

Report of a Church in crisis

Michael Phelan

Michael Phelan comments on two recent reports on the worst crisis in the history of the Catholic Church in the United States, provoked by the sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests and deacons.

The Prayer of the Church for lay people

Pauline Clarke RMA

The Prayer of the Church is not reserved for clergy and religious; it is the prayer of the whole Church and, as such, it also belongs to the laity. Sr Pauline Clarke, a Liturgy Adviser in the Westminster Diocese and a member of the Diocesan Liturgy Commission, here explains how people who are unfamiliar with the Office can make a start at including it in their prayer-life.

Preaching and teaching the Word

Vicky Cosstick

Vicky Cosstick, Learning and Staff Development Manager for Cafod, offers some reflections on the lectionary readings for the Sundays of July.

Postscript: The signs we give

Books

REVIEWED BY CRISPIAN HOLLIS

At the Heart of the World
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-OConnor
Darton, Longman & Todd, £8.95
Tablet Bookshop Price: £ Tel: 01420 592 974

REVIEWED BY CRISPIAN HOLLIS

The Risk of Discipleship
Roderick Strange
Darton, Longman & Todd, £10.95
Tablet Bookshop Price: £ Tel: 01420 592 974

REVIEWED BY ANTONIA LACEY

Healing Priesthood: womens voices worldwide
edited by Angela Perkins and Verena Wright
Darton, Longman & Todd, £9.95
Tablet Bookshop Price: £ Tel: 01420 592 974

REVIEWED BY OWEN HARDWICKE

Adventures in Orthodoxy: the marvels of the Christian creed and the audacity of belief
Dwight Longenecker
Leominster: Gracewing, £9.99
Tablet Bookshop Price: £ Tel: 01420 592 974


June 2004


CONTENTS June 2004 Click here to buy this Issue Training for a happy life The Editor Formation, change and commitment Roderick Strange Relentless, despised, misunderstood those words describe the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. Roderick Strange is Rector of the Beda College, Rome, and author of The Risk of Discipleship (see review on page 249). Here he describes the challenges which a man being formed for the priesthood today must face if he is to follow Jesus. Balaam and the training of priests Tony Philpot Tony Philpot, spiritual director at the English College, Rome, makes a wish-list of the qualities needed for the priest of today with the help of the far-seeing Balaam. Priests as people Tina Beattie Tina Beattie was asked for her opinion on the qualities she would like to see in a priest especially if a son of hers were to receive and answer a clerical vocation. Dr Beattie lectures in Christian Studies and runs an MA in Religion and Human Rights at the University of Surrey Roehampton. A priest at the coal face Sean Connolly A young priest reflects on his formation having faced the reality of taking over his first parish. Sean Connolly, of Wymondham in Norfolk, sees the future challenge for the Church in reforming and recapturing the true essence of priestly minstry among our people. Click here to read this article Ongoing formation Paul Townsend How is todays priest to survive under increasing pressures? Paul Townsend, parish priest of St Francis de Sales, Newbury, and Episcopal Vicar for Clergy Formation for the Diocese of Portsmouth, outlines a practical programme for ongoing care and formation. Report of a Church in crisis Michael Phelan Michael Phelan comments on two recent reports on the worst crisis in the history of the Catholic Church in the United States, provoked by the sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests and deacons. The Prayer of the Church for lay people Pauline Clarke RMA The Prayer of the Church is not reserved for clergy and religious; it is the prayer of the whole Church and, as such, it also belongs to the laity. Sr Pauline Clarke, a Liturgy Adviser in the Westminster Diocese and a member of the Diocesan Liturgy Commission, here explains how people who are unfamiliar with the Office can make a start at including it in their prayer-life. Preaching and teaching the Word Vicky Cosstick Vicky Cosstick, Learning and Staff Development Manager for Cafod, offers some reflections on the lectionary readings for the Sundays of July. Postscript: The signs we give Books REVIEWED BY CRISPIAN HOLLIS At the Heart of the World Cardinal Cormac Murphy-OConnor Darton, Longman & Todd, £8.95 Tablet Bookshop Price: £ Tel: 01420 592 974 REVIEWED BY CRISPIAN HOLLIS The Risk of Discipleship Roderick Strange Darton, Longman & Todd, £10.95 Tablet Bookshop Price: £ Tel: 01420 592 974 REVIEWED BY ANTONIA LACEY Healing Priesthood: womens voices worldwide edited by Angela Perkins and Verena Wright Darton, Longman & Todd, £9.95 Tablet Bookshop Price: £ Tel: 01420 592 974 REVIEWED BY OWEN HARDWICKE Adventures in Orthodoxy: the marvels of the Christian creed and the audacity of belief Dwight Longenecker Leominster: Gracewing, £9.99 Tablet Bookshop Price: £ Tel: 01420 592 974

CONTENTS

June 2004

Books