November 27, 2012. (Romereports.com) Every good party must have plenty of laughter....'Angel of God... There are definitely plenty of laughs here. Good food of course, is also a must. “Thank the Good Lord they're not serving you cat.” “I think I've put on about 20 pounds since I've been in Rome, but that's OK, more for God to love,” said Fr Larry Richards, Pastor, St. Joseph's Church (USA).
 
Most of these priests are from the U.S. They traveled to Rome and stayed here for 12 weeks to take part in a unique sabbatical program. In the mornings they go to lectures, given by top notch professors from local Pontifical Universities. Then there's time for sightseeing.


MSGR. ANTHONY FIGUEIREDO
Director, Institute for Continuing Theological Education, North American College (Rome)
 “For example to all the Papal Basilicas, to the Catacombs, museums. We spend a week in the Holy Land, we spend a week in Assisi as well.”

Fun is part of it, but mostly it's about ongoing spiritual formation. The sabbatical is offered by the Institute for Continuing Theological Education at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. Since the goal is to renew and strengthen their faith, there is no better place for that, than in Rome, at the very heart of Christianity.

FR. LARRY RICHARDS
Pastor, St. Joseph's Church (USA)
“We don't do people any favors when we sit there and say I'm going to tough it out and I'm just going to work work work. Jesus himself says, and he says to the apostles, come away with me to an out of the way place.”

FR. JOHN LAGER
Vocation Director and Director of Homeless Shelter (USA)
“Probably the greatest gift was that we were able to share our life. The highs and lows of our ministry as well as the opportunity to be able to share what is it that makes us priests today.”

The program began back in 1971, when the Second Vatican Council called for the ongoing theological and spiritual renewal of priests.

MSGR. ANTHONY FIGUEIREDO
Director, Institute for Continuing Theological Education, North American College (Rome)
“With the shortage of priests, many parishes are one man parishes and there are so many  activities now with administration, that priests don't have time really  to devout to themselves.”

FR. LARRY RICHARDS
Pastor, St. Joseph's Church (USA)
“That's exactly what I'm looking forward to the most. To leave now and refresh others the way God has refreshed me.”

Over the years more than 2500 priests have attended the sabbatical. The program has become so popular that now in addition to the Fall and Spring semester, four additional modules will be added to welcome even more priests....and those extra laughs of course, will also be welcomed.


KLH
MG
-VM
-PR