One of the members of the AUSCP Leadership Team is completing his second term and

will leave the Leadership Team after the June Assembly. We are most grateful to Fr. Tulio Ramirez, a member of the Yarumal Missionaries, for his six years of service. Fr. Tulio, a native of Colombia, has been stationed in the Bronx for many years. His perspective as a missionary and a pastor in the Bronx has been a real asset to the Leadership Team. He describes his experience on the Leadership Team (LT) as follows:

It has been a terrific experience of teamwork, synodality and synodality learning, and camaraderie. I have learned a lot and I appreciate how much I have been listened to and valued. For those of us who are active pastors, it is not easy to catch up with all the expectations and aspirations we have for the LT work, but still it gives a fresh hand, down to earth approach to it.

Another LT member, Fr. Ray Cole, Diocese of Metuchen, has found it necessary to resign for health reasons.

Fr. Ray has been serving on the LT since 2019. He was re-elected in June of 2022, but his health prevented him from participating in the LT meetings this past year. His willingness to serve was based on - A deep desire to see Vatican II become more and more alive and to encourage all clergy and laity to work collegially; comfortable with the AUSCP's ability to be progressive yet prudent. We thank Fr. Ray for his pastoral approach and collaborative spirit. We pray that his health improves.

There are two members of the AUSCP Leadership Team who are completing their first term and are willing to serve another three-year term, Fr. Michael Hickin and Fr. Neil Pezzulo. We will highlight them in a future e-bulletin as nominees for the June election.

There are four positions on the LT that are open for election at the June Assembly. We are still accepting applications for these positions. Please consider using your gifts at the service of AUSCP by serving on the Leadership Team, or encourage another AUSCP member to apply. Nominess must be present at the Assembly.

Contact the AUSCP Office for the simple, one-page application form: office@auscp.org

Catholic Climate Covenant’s 2023 Earth Day program, "Simple Living: God's Vision of Abundant Life," offers a respite from our busy lives and inspires us all to live with less. It addresses the Adoption of Sustainable Lifestyles goal of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform.

The hour-long interactive program (with prayers, readings, discussion questions, and activities) may be used to celebrate the 53rd anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, or the 8th anniversary of Laudato Si' (May 21-28) or any time that fits your community's schedule. Download it today by clicking on the title!

St. Ignatius Church in Boston invites you to join in the Easter season to reflect with passages from the Sunday Readings and Enlarge the Space of Your Tent, the working document of the global synod. You will receive a weekly prayer resource from Easter, April 9th through Pentecost, May 28th to your email address. There will be an opportunity to come together at the end of the program to share your reflections in community if you wish. Register

Thanks to many of you, we have met our goal of $5,000 to claim the matching donation from an anonymous donor. Alleluia! We still encourage those who have not given to the annual appeal to consider giving a donation to support our work. We are short of what we raised last year. To donate, go to our home page at www.auscp.org and click the “Give to Our Annual Appeal” box under Quick Links. We appreciate your support. Click here to donate: AUSCP - HOME

On Tuesday afternoon, June 13, there will be 2 choices for Assembly participants:

A survey of those who are registered for the Assembly will be taken when the event draws closer to find out which event each registrant wishes to attend.

Optional Activity following the Assembly: Thursday Afternoon, June 15, the AUSCP Working Group on Immigration is offering a unique opportunity to visit two Immigration Centers - one in San Diego & one in in Tijuana, Mexico, Scalabrini Casa de Migrantes. Cost is $50. Participants must have a current passport and will need to plan on staying Thursday night in San Diego. Pre-registration by May 1st is required. Send an email to office@auscp.org to register.

Assembly Costs: $495 registration, includes meals and lodging for 3 nights - June 12,13,14. Lodging is in a dormitory room with a bathroom; sheets and towels are provided, but no other amenities.); $325 commuter fee (includes meals, talks and banquet); $65 for extra night’s lodging. Registration is available HERE.

The following webinars are coming soon! Please sign up for those that you would like to attend.

AUSCP Zoom Discussion Series on Racism

This is part of the three-year strategic plan to combat racism provided by the Association of U.S. Catholic Priests Anti-racism Team. Join us in taking Steps 4 & 5: Self-evaluate and Self-report in Year One of our Strategic Plan on Anti-racism. Two sessions will be offered: Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday evenings:

Tuesday May 9, 16, 23, & 30 (7:30-9:00PM EDT) or

Wednesday May 10, 17, 24, & 31 (2:00-3:30PM EDT)

You need not have attended previous groups and are free to switch between these as you wish. The sessions will be moderated by Susan and Paul Sherman.

Contact Paul (sherman.paul@twc.com) to register.

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Other Webinars/Activities that might be of interest to you:

New! Holy Art Benefit for Members: Holy Art, Europe’s largest Catholic e-commerce, invites you to consider it when ordering Church Goods. It’s regular prices are competitive, but AUSCP membership exceeds the competition. Discount codes valid until July 30th. Members receive:

A $40 credit for the initial order with code AUSCP40
10% off all future orders
Flat shipping price of $35 on all orders under 4 pounds; Free shipping on second order over $159 with code AUSCPFREESHIPPING

Look first to www.Holyart.com for your religious items and church supplies - Except organic products, which cannot enter the US from abroad.

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New Ways Ministry is sponsoring a retreat for gay priests, religious brothers, and deacons, May 23-26, 2023 at the Siena Retreat Center in Racine, near Milwaukee, WI. A description of the retreat and facilitator, the schedule and registration, and other information can be found at: https://www.newwaysministry.org/programs/what-we-do/may23/

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The following webinars of 2022 are available for viewing:

(Links to past videos can be found on the AUSCP website: www.auscp.org)

The Synodal Process: An aid to facilitating synodal sessions

Let’s Take Earth Day Seriously: Session 1 - April 13

Let's Take Earth Day Seriously: Session 2 - April 20

Christians in the Holy Land: Part 3

Christians in the Holy Land: Part 4

Leavening Humankind in Today's World: Mission of the Laity

Session 1, Session 2, Session 3, Session 4

Catholic Discordance

Session 1, Session 2, Session 3, Session 4

Leavening Humankind in Today's World: Formation and Ministry of Bishops and Priests

Session 1 , Session 2, Session 3, Session 4, Session 5, Session 6

First Church: A Practical Theology of the Family as Domestic Church - S ession 1, Session 2, Session 3, Session 4, Session 5, Session 6

An Immigration Judge’s View (February 23, 2023)

Our Mission of Leavening Humankind in Today's World: Series 4 - Session 1, Session 2, Session 3, Session 4, Session 5

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For more information and photos, visit the AUSCP website at: AUSCP - HOME