Sacerdos Magazine
www.sacerdos.org
Do you know a priest who could benefit from some solid
support from other priests? Do you have a pastor whose
many responsibilities make it almost impossible for him
to keep up with his own continuing formation?
Introduce him to Sacerdos, a Catholic resource center
for the Catholic priest. Its primary purpose is the on-going
formation of the clergy — a formation not only concerned
with current knowledge and solid theology, but “rooted
in faith, charity and contemplation . . . and joined to
a solid human formation and general knowledge proportional
to the pastoral and spiritual necessities of our time.”
In other words, Sacerdos seeks to educate priests in the
spiritual and intellectual life, as well as their lives
as human beings and apostles.
Just how does Sacerdos propose to nurture these servants
of the Church? The centerpiece of their work is a forty-six-page
bimonthly magazine. Brother Robert Havens, English editor
for Sacerdos, explains how the mission of Sacerdos came
about.
“Our director, Father Caesar Atuire, L.C., spent many
years studying philosophy and working with diocesan priests,”
he recalls. “Over time, he recognized how important and
loved the diocesan priest was. And how greatly in need
of support and spirituality.
“Today’s priests live in isolation. In addition to loneliness
and poverty, there is a lack of understanding regarding
celibacy and the magnificence of the priesthood. Compounding
the isolation, there is a great lack of distribution of
good literature for priests. Living in Rome, Father Atuire
was inspired by the great theological dialogue and the
fleet of brothers he had available for translations.”
Through this inspiration, Sacerdos was born. That was
five years ago. Now, the publication is available in five
languages and reaches twelve thousand readers spread out
in 130 countries on five continents.
“The busy diocesan priest has a desperate need to keep
himself up-to-date,” according to Brother Robert. “Our
answer to that need is small, condensed articles in a
size that is convenient to carry around.” Another unique
feature is the individuality of the five language editions.
Each one is tailored to the concerns and culture of that
language group.
Up to thirty percent of the articles are written by trained
Catholic theologians, much of it coming directly out of
Rome. Cardinals and men of the curia write regularly for
Sacerdos. This magazine brings to its readers a strong
sense of personal witness, with testimonies shared by
one priest to another. Subject matter ranges from pastoral
issues to world conferences to the priestly ministry to
the reflections of one man’s soul. No wonder it’s the
most widely read magazine for priests.
The “homily resource package” is a popular supplemental
insert that comes with each issue. This small, twenty-eight-page
booklet of homily pointers, prepared by a renowned Scripture
scholar with pastoral experience, expands on the theme
for each Sunday’s readings. It also includes a discussion
of several points of Catholic doctrine relevant to the
texts, as well as several pastoral suggestions. The same
material is also distributed to five thousand priests
via email.
Yet another valuable insert in each issue is a theological
notebook. In it, Sacerdos gives its readers a short but
thorough refresher course on a particular theological
point. These inserts help priestly readers stay on top
of new developments in subjects they might not have studied
since seminary.
The folks at Sacerdos know they have a real treasure in
their hands, and they seek to find more ways to share
it with priests throughout the world. The Sacerdos Summer
Institute, for example, now provides clergy mini-refresher
courses on the priesthood, held for two weeks in Rome.
They invite priests from all over the world to join the
electronic chat rooms on their website. Eventually, they
hope to post their entire publication on the Net.
Meanwhile, Sacerdos has been seeking sponsors to help
them reach priests in poorer countries where computer
access is limited and the $24 subscription rate is restrictive.
Recently, they were able to find enough sponsors to put
Sacerdos in the hands of every priest in Paraguay. Uganda
is next on the list.
Bishops, cardinals, and even the Pope have enjoyed the
formative work of Sacerdos. Your pastor would, too.
To subscribe to Sacerdos,
or to sponsor a priest,
call 1 877 SACERDOS;
email: informations@mail.sacerdos.org.;
or go visit www.sacerdos.org.
Avila Radio
Which of today’s mass communications media is the very
best means of forming and evangelizing the world at
large? (Besides Envoy Magazine, I mean.) According to
Jim Duffy, the answer is radio.
Duffy is a consultant with Avila Radio, a new non-profit
consulting group that aspires to create a coast-to-coast
network of Catholic radio stations. What is it about
Catholic radio that he believes gives it such an edge
in evangelization? “I see Catholic radio as a bridge,”
Duffy insists. “It’s the very best way to evangelize,
but with one caveat: It’s somewhat superficial.
“You can’t convey through radio the depth of the sacraments,
or spiritual direction, or the many programs available
within the Church. But the problem is that, unless people
are tuned into their need for these programs in the
Church, they don’t approach them. They don’t see the
value.”
Yet radio’s accessibility allows it to provide a bridge
that leads people to recognize the value of what the
Church offers. “Through their exposure to Catholic programming
on radio,” Duffy adds, “people see just what they can
do, and they come to the Church to help them do it.”
General programming from interdenominational Christian
radio can’t serve the same purpose, because it’s not
specific. Christian radio can be inspirational, but
Catholic radio can actually be involved in spiritual
formation.
How does Avila hope to extend the influence of Catholic
radio? There are currently forty-one independently owned
Catholic radio stations in the United States. Those
who have been part of bringing one to a local area know
firsthand that it takes blood, sweat, and tears.
Usually, a group of people with a vision will come together
locally and raise money for the project. But that’s
only the beginning. Next they have to draw up a business
plan, create marketing tools, buy a station, and then
continue networking in the community. This process can
take anywhere from eight months to three years, and
many groups never complete the project.
Avila cuts through all this red tape and helps Catholic
groups get their station up and running quickly, and
with much less heartbreak in working out the details.
Their consultants are experts in radio broadcasting.
They know what works and how to attain it. They also
have the engineering know-how to assess the value of
the station and equipment they help a local group to
purchase.
Jim Duffy, who was the
radio marketing manager for EWTN before he joined Avila
as a consultant, meets with interested groups to assess
their local market and needs. Once he’s gotten a feel
for what the local group is looking for, he draws up
a prospectus and business plan. He also provides pledge
cards and promotional materials for the station’s start-up.
Once Avila has handled all those nitty-gritty back office
details, they’re ready to present the idea to Catholics
in the local area. Since Avila’s work frees up the local
visionaries to devote their time to making contacts,
the local group can create interest and excitement for
the project. Avila even tracks donations!
At this point the operations consultant enters the picture.
He helps the group find a station, negotiate the price,
and close the deal. Once the station is purchased, most
independent Catholic radio stations let EWTN do the
rest through their twenty-four-hour programming feed.
This route usually requires the least amount of expertise
and manpower. But according to Duffy, “You really need
that community involvement. The station needs to be
a product of the local community if it is going to stay
healthy. These stations rely on listener support and
corporate underwriting for finances. But they also need
to reflect the needs of the community if they are going
to be a true means of formation and evangelization in
that area.”
The right training of radio personnel is of primary
importance here. If personnel are trained as radio technicians,
they have more freedom to create breaks in the satellite
feed and fill them with local programming. Avila has
set up a franchise-style program of training for station
employees. All personnel are required to take this specific
course so the station is being managed skillfully.
With the staff trained this way, the station can pursue
local involvement: promoting live speakers on air, airing
community concerts, or broadcasting diocesan events.
In short, stations are able to come into their own innovatively.
Once the station is up and running, Avila continues
to oversee operations and serve as the station’s financial
officer. The station manager now has the freedom to
stay out in the community, finding ways to develop area
programming. Local programming generates local interest,
which provides the necessary financial support.
If you’d like Avila’s help in bringing Catholic radio
to your community, you need two things. Five thousand
dollars will cover Avila’s expenses and get the ball
rolling. Also critical is a list of people they can
approach — people who would be willing to jump-start
the operation financially.
Avila will market the station, train the staff, and
close the deal — all in about six months. The apostolate’s
ongoing relationship with the station makes it a turnkey
operation.
In its first four months, Avila was already working
to help bring Catholic radio to Atlanta, Denver, and
Lincoln. Will your town be next?
To contact Avila Radio,
call toll free 866-231-9347; e-mail Jim Duffy at jduffy@avilaradio.com.
Traditions of Roman Catholic Homes (TORCH)
In 1990, a small group of families in Baltimore got
together to support one another in Catholic home education.
Little did they know that their desire for like-minded
friends in the faith would blossom into a nationwide
apostolate with over eighty chapters and a thousand
members.
 Traditions
of Roman Catholic Homes, or TORCH, is reviving Catholic
culture by supporting a network of homeschooling families
from coast to coast. According to Carmen Ana Klosterman,
northeast coordinator for TORCH, this apostolate has
been a Godsend for families looking to cultivate the
genuine Catholic tradition in their homes. “The families
who are involved in TORCH,” she says, “are looking for
ways to renew Catholic culture as a norm among their
circle of friends. Here, rosaries, processions, the
scapular, and adoration become a norm among our children’s
friends. TORCH is a vibrant, positive means of creating
this atmosphere.”
Using the structure suggested by TORCH, families gather
often to celebrate the Church’s heritage, through first
Fridays, Eucharistic adoration, saints’ feast days and
much more. There are also extracurricular clubs, teen
dances, and even activities for Mom and Dad.
Parents’ nights are one popular TORCH offering. Klosterman
notes: “Dads are often left out of the usual homeschooling
support circles. They often don’t even know each other.
Parents’ nights are an opportunity to gather without
the kids and enjoy dessert, coffee, or a glass of wine
while discussing a chosen topic or watching a good movie.
We’ve seen lots of dads come into the Church through
their involvement in TORCH.”
The apostolic nature of TORCH has been the touchstone
for many conversions and reversions as well over the
last ten years. Membership isn’t restricted to Catholics,
Christians, or even homeschoolers. Consequently, many
people get involved just because they’re looking into
the “why” of the Catholic faith, or because they recognize
on some deep level that they simply like being around
this enthusiastic, warm, and faithful crowd of families.
Even with non-Catholics involved, no one apologizes
for the religious nature of the activities. TORCH is
unabashedly Catholic. People who join know exactly what
they’re getting into up front, so the group has great
freedom just to be truly Catholic.
Although TORCH membership has no conditions, leaders
within the groups do have to pledge “fidelity to the
teachings and sacred traditions of the Roman Catholic
Church, particularly to the Pope, and to the bishops
teaching in union with him.” Each chapter has one or
two of these leaders, who coordinate activities for
the group according to the TORCH mission and philosophy.
They, in turn, are in touch with area directors who
have volunteered to help with specific needs.
In establishing a TORCH group no one has to “re-invent
the wheel” — the structure, the by-laws, and even the
guidelines for electing leaders are already in place.
This arrangement lessens, from the very beginning, the
potential for power struggles. In Klosterman’s words:
“If you want your group always to have that Catholic
flavor, TORCH is your insurance policy.”
 When
there are questions regarding the choice and intensity
of religious activities, leaders can simply reply, “We
are a TORCH chapter, so that’s why we do this; it’s
not my decision.” Having a clear mission and structure
in place this way takes considerable pressure off the
leaders.
For a twelve-dollar membership fee, TORCH chapters enjoy
non-profit tax-exempt privileges. Additionally, they
have liability insurance, which is helpful in securing
meeting facilities. Each member receives the organizations’
newsletter, as well as a fifteen-percent discount on
membership to the Home School Legal Defense Association
(HSLDA).
The monthly newsletter puts members in touch with a
nationwide network of Catholic homeschoolers. How’s
that for support? It also features news from local chapters,
TORCH-wide events, curriculum reviews, resources, tips
on group dynamics, and other items of interest for homeschoolers.
In many dioceses around the country, TORCH has already
established a reputation as an organization whose ideals
are representative of authentic Catholic family life,
positive homeschooling ideals, and fidelity to the Magisterium.
Connect your homeschooling group to TORCH, and join
their effort to “set the world ablaze!”
Write the TORCH national
directors, Barry and Inchi Sugarman, at
8 Orchard Drive
Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889
e-mail torchmom@erols.com;
online www.catholic-homeschool.com.
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