Over the last twenty-five years the Atlanta Presbyterate has developed a certain rhythm for these important meetings. Convocations are scheduled every two years in the Fall, and all priests involved in ministry in the Archdiocese of Atlanta are expected to attend. Our diocesan sponsored Priests’ Retreat, also offered in the Fall, is scheduled on the alternate years. This is an optional event except for those diocesan priests in the Early Ministry Program (first five years after ordination). These priests are required to attend the diocesan retreat. With the rescheduling of the 2020 Convocation to April 2021, our traditional pattern will be disrupted and both the Convocation and the Priests’ Retreat will be offered in the same year.
This change necessitates certain advance preparations. First, pastors will need to be sure to allocate appropriate funding for both events. Registration fees will be approximately $900 per event, per priest. Personal and parish calendars will also need to be reviewed so that your attendance will be possible. This is especially important for those in the Early Ministry Program.
So, here are the dates you will want to save:
April 26-29, 2021 (Monday thru Thursday)
- Convocation of Priests
- Legacy Lodge at Lake Lanier Islands
September 13-17, 2021 (Monday thru Friday)
- Priests’ Retreat
- Brasstown Valley Resort in Young Harris, GA
- Retreat Director: Fr. Ron Rolheiser, O.M.I.
- Registration Materials will be mailed in May 2021
Additional details about each event, as well as registration materials, will be sent at a later date.
However, allow me to share some very good news that only recently came to pass. For the last several years, our ongoing formation committee has been attempting to get Fr. Rolheiser to come to Atlanta to direct one of our retreats. Schedules never seemed to cooperate. Recently, however, our luck changed and I could not be more grateful.
Ron is a member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and president of Oblate School of Theology, since 2005. He is a theologian, professor and award-winning author. He has become a popular speaker in contemporary spirituality and religion and the secular world. He writes a weekly column that is carried in over 70 newspapers around the world.
I hope you will plan to be with us for the retreat.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
