Three sets of meetings have begun in Rome.

The first are the meetings for the new provincial and district superiors.  They came to learn about some of the practices of the Congregation.  It also gave them the opportunity to learn from the experience of some of the superiors have had experience.

The second set of meetings will be the Council of the Congregation.  The superior general, general council, provincials, and district superiors meet.

The third meeting will be the extraordinary general chapter.

It was not possible for everyone to stay in one place, so some of the capitulants at the general chapter will have the benefit of some fresh air and sunshine each morning and again after each day.  Father John Korcsmar wasn't one of the lucky ones who has to walk each day.

At the beginning of the Council of the Congregation, Father Hugh Cleary gave his report to the group.  He talked about the Year of Rejoicing and Spiritual Renewal as an opportunity for all of us to be renewed in the mission.  Then he talked about the agenda for the general chapter.  Part of the chapter deals with the suppression of the Southern Province and its becoming part of the Indiana Province.  But there are three other provinces that no longer meet the criteria of being a province in the view of the general and his council: France, French Canadian brothers, and the English Canadian province.

Hugh talked about the need for coordination of different efforts that different parts of the Congregation have been doing on their own.  In some cases, the provinces dialogued with many other parts of the Congregation and the Church before making a move.  In other cases, they did not talk with other groups and have created some real difficulties.  He emphasized that the point is not to make everything centralized, but that we do need to be talking and planning with one another.

We saw a presentation on media ministry by Father Steve Gibson.  He showed some of the things that have been done with media ministry.  He emphasized that there are many, many good things going on in the Congregation, but nobody outside that given area knows what is going on.  We should know what our members are doing and be proud of what they do.  Media ministry can also help us to know those things.

Steve also pointed out that he visited East Africa a few years ago.  The parish where he used to show 16mm movies from Family Theater on a camera powered by a generator and shown on a sheet now has a wonderful media center, including a satellite dish.  Steve wanted to know why in East Africa, they can see the Notre Dame games, but in Rome we will not be able to see the Notre Dame--Southern Cal game.

Father Richard Warner made the presentation on the concept of vicariates.  He gave some history on how 12--15 years ago, some of the provinces did not have all the qualities necessary to be provinces.  We have made exceptions here and there for provinces to get by.  The Southern Province has requested to cease being a province and become part of the Indiana Province.  Father Warner mentioned how the Southern Province served the South in parish ministry, especially with African Americans and Hispanics, and how they bring the area of Mexico with new life for the Congregation.

A vicariate would be very similar to a province, but its superior would be appointed by the superior general after consultation with the membership.  It would not be necessary to have four candidates for the office of provincial, nor would it be required to have a chapter every three years, although it could do so if it chose.  It could have an assembly of the membership, every year, every three years, or not at all.  It would retain its status of having the major superior be an ex officio delegate to a general chapter.  The proposal is to try this structure for three years until the next general chapter in 2010.