Cultivating Unity

- “The ongoing formation of a presbyterate is the deliberate cultivation of the unity of the priests and their bishop, a unity that responds to God's grace and the mission entrusted to them ... It is clear that the ongoing formation of presbyterates is significant for the vitality of the Church's mission. It is also clear that the formation of presbyterates centers on cultivating their unity."
  
  - The Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests, U.S. Catholic Bishops (2001)
What is Cultivating Unity?

Cultivating Unity is a pastoral initiative between AOFP and the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown (CARA). It is a transformational process engaging the entire diocesan presbyterate with its bishop in frank and faith-centered dialogue leading to a common rededication to priestly ministry.

This program consists of two components: initial research of the presbyterate, including a survey and listening sessions with the priests as well as an interview with the bishop, and a convocation at which dialogue is facilitated by the AOFP-CARA team.
- Program Synopsis
  
  Research
  
  A survey of priests
  
  An interview of the bishop
  
  Listening sessions with priests
  
  Convocation
  
  A carefully-structured and attentively-facilitated convocation, centered in common prayer and faith sharing, with bishop and priests
  
  Resources available to assist the local church in following up on action items arising from the Cultivating Unity process
- Are you interested in bringing Cultivating Unity to your diocese? Contact our AOFP National Office!
  
  Email: [email protected]
  Phone: 410-978-3676
Endorsements
- Endorsements
  
  “Honesty is the best policy” is a dictum I learned as a child. It is also a guiding light of the Cultivating Unity Program of NOCERCC/CARA. From the preliminary interviews with me and focus groups with the priests, Cultivating Unity fostered a respectful honesty about the strengths and weaknesses of the presbyterate and of the relation between the presbyterate and the bishop – and those who directly represent the bishop as diocesan staff. The structured exchanges that took place at the Convocation will help us all to examine ourselves, to be grateful for the blessings we have received, and to find concrete ways to address the challenges. The very process brought priests into deeper communion among themselves and with me as their bishop. I am very appreciative of the program and all who were involved in leading through the process.
  
  - Most Reverend Larry Silva, Bishop of Honolulu
Research & Survey
- Research & Survey
  
  CARA conducts a confidential survey of all priests in the diocese. The purpose of the survey is to clarify the state of presbyteral unity in the diocese, both unity among priests and unity between priests and the bishop.
  
  CARA also conducts confidential listening sessions with a selection of priests in the diocese. The purpose of the listening sessions is to gather in-depth insights on the state of presbyteral unity in the diocese, both unity among priests and unity between priests and the bishop, and to articulate factors that currently strengthen or weaken presbyteral unity.
  
  CARA maintains strict confidentiality regarding the source of contributions during the listening sessions and survey respondents and does not make this information available to the diocese.
Convocation
- Convocation
  
  The centerpiece of Cultivating Unity is a convocation of the bishop and the entire diocesan presbyterate.
  
  The purpose of the convocation is threefold:
  
  To forge a collective sense of study and prayer (cf. The Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests, p. 94);
  
  To promote a more intense pastoral charity among priests (cf. The Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests, p. 94);
  
  To make the presbyterate itself a more transparent sacramental sign (cf. The Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests, pp. 94- 95).
  
  The convocation experience includes these essential elements:
  
  Daily liturgy, including Eucharist and Liturgy of the Hours;
  
  Four two-hour dialogue sessions, each beginning with prayer and faith sharing;
  
  At least some meals in common;
  
  Ample time for individuals and groups to pray and meditate;
  
  Ample time for individuals and groups to relax and recreate.
Leadership & Faculty
- Leadership & Faculty
  
  Very Rev. John McCrone, President, AOFP
  Patricia LeNoir, Mission Administrator, AOFP
  
  Thomas P. Gaunt, SJ.,Ph.D., Executive Director, CARA
  Mary L. Gautier, Ph.D., Senior Research Associate, CARA
  Rev. Stephen J. Fichter, Ph.D., Research Associate, CARA
  
  Convocations are facilitated by a distinguished team of faculty, including:
  
  Rev. Stephen Fichter, Ph.D.
  Research Associate, CARA
  Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
  
  Rev. Thomas Dragga, D.Min.
  AOFP
  
  Dominic J. Perri
  Facilitator and organizational development consultant working with dioceses, presbyterates, religious communities, parishes, and national Church organizations