Special to The Michigan Catholic
Harbor Springs — Some 260 priests of the Archdiocese of Detroit met Sept. 22-26 at Boyne Highlands Resort in Harbor Springs for their semi-annual convocation, where they gathered with Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron and his auxiliary bishops for shared prayer, presentations, socializing and fraternity.
The theme of this year’s convocation was “Stewards of the Priesthood of Jesus Christ” and the priests heard presentations by Fr. James Flavin, a licensed psychotherapist from the Archdiocese of Boston and clinical director of the St. John Vianney Center in Philadelphia. His focus was the well-being of priests.
“Fr. Flavin gave some good information regarding the human dimension of life with all the pitfalls that one can experience in ministry and the necessary action to prevent those pitfalls, live as healthy men of God and to thrive in our ministry as priests of Jesus Christ,” said Msgr. Timothy Hogan, director of the Archdiocesan Office of Clergy and Consecrated Life.
Former Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Daniel Flores, currently bishop of Brownsville, Texas, served as spiritual director of the convocation and gave four inspirational homilies at the daily celebrations of the Eucharist.
“Bishop Flores developed the spiritual dimension of priestly ministry and reminded us that even in our humanity the Holy Spirit continues to tug on our sleeve to reveal his presence and guide us in a life of servanthood,” Msgr. Hogan related.
In addition to the presentations and liturgies, the priests had an opportunity to play golf, euchre, bridge, watch Tigers baseball games together and sit around a roaring bonfire each night.
“Since the Second Vatican Council and the growing shortage of priests, opportunities for priests to share and communicate are few and far between,” wrote Fr. Ronald Milligan, pastor of St. Ephrem Parish and vicar of the Central Macomb Vicariate, in his September vicariate newsletter. “These convocations for priests are a great opportunity for us to gather together with one another and have some time to pray together as brother priests, to socialize with one another, to share best practices and do what some would label as ‘complain.’”
Msgr. Hogan recalled his favorite personal moment during the convocation. “It took place while sitting on the upper deck of a boat with the other priests,” he said. “It was a beautiful scene with calm waters. It was a gathering of the priests of all ages, sharing life with each other and a time of peace for all.”
Among the priests participating in this year’s convocation were 36 senior priests.
“A second memorable event was the closing dinner when we honored the newly ordained of the last two years, the international priests, the priests who are members of religious communities and, most especially our senior priests who continue to serve so generously,” Msgr. Hogan said. “Each group received strong applause of welcome or gratitude.”
Archbishop Vigneron was the featured speaker at the lunch gathering that closed the priests’ segment of the convocation.
Following the priests’ convocation, the deacons of Detroit and their wives arrived at Boyne Highlands for their special semi-annual weekend meeting. Among their activities was a presentation from Msgr. Hogan on the New Evangelization and the entertaining story of his transition from Navy chaplain to pastor to his current position.
“From my point of view and also from the evaluations returned, the convocation was a great success,” Msgr. Hogan said. “There are many benefits that come forth from the convocation. It is a time of gathering together for prayer, fraternity, learning new skills that would help to serve more fully and a time to step back and celebrate life together as a presbyterate.”
Tim Keenan is a freelance writer based in Farmington Hills.
