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VALUES IN MINISTRY

Keynoter will cover beat of Christ's heart

When he addresses participants at the annual Parish Convening on Nov. 7, keynote speaker Rev. Gerald Fagin. SJ, plans to ask them to "call upon Christian virtues.

"Ministering with the heart of Christ is not just about doing certain things, but living out the values that shape our hearts as ministers," he explained.

"Ministering with the Heart of Christ" will be the theme of Father Fagin's keynote at the convening, to be held at Christian Brothers Academy in Albany. The event is sponsored by the Diocesan Pastoral Council.

An associate professor of theology at Loyola University's Institute for Ministry in New Orleans, Father Fagin has written a book to be published by Loyola Press in 2010 titled, "Putting On The Heart of Christ." 

Christ to us
In it, he explores how the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius invite people to virtuous living. The speaker said the main message he hopes to bring at the convening, a day of renewal and formation for all who minister in parishes, is that "ministering flows out of our personal relationship with Jesus."

Ministries that are "shaped like the heart of Christ," he said, are sure to reflect the values and virtues Jesus intended when He ended the parable of the good Samaritan with the words: "Go and do likewise."

The Jesuit priest hopes to raise awareness of "what it is to love as Jesus loves" and to foster a greater understanding of attitudes of heart in order to become a more effective minister.

Recalling that Jesus washed the feet of the disciples at the Last Supper with a wish that His followers not be slaves or servants, but friends, Father Fagin plans to elaborate on the friendship Christ wants people to develop with Him. 

People who strive to follow the example set by Christ will be ministering in accordance with His wishes, said Father Fagin. "Being a minister is not just about what I do, but who I am," he emphasized.

Virtues checklist
The keynote will include insights into some of the values and virtues that comprise the heart of Christ. 

"Developing these virtues will make participants better ministers - and I can promise you there will be one surprise virtue that will lead to some discussion!" the speaker noted.

Renewing his own spirit, given his hectic schedule, can be tough for Father Fagin. He said he carves out time for prayer and reflection and engages in activities that allow him to foster his friendship with Jesus. 

"Sometimes, it's something as simple as enjoying dinner with friends," he said.

David Amico, director of the diocesan Office of Ministry Formation and administrator of the Diocesan Pastoral Council, said he was intrigued by Father Fagin's address at the National Association of Lay Ministers conference in St. Paul, Minn., earlier this year.

"I was fascinated by what he shared in terms of the need to be continually formed as ministers who reflect the virtues of the heart of Christ," said Mr. Amico.

He stressed that the upcoming convening "is designed as a day of nourishment and 
growth for all who minister in the parish." Among the 25 workshops are offerings on themes like "The Heart of Christ: Images and Patterns," "Best Practices for Renewing Your Parish Faith Community," baptism and the spirituality of films. Two bilingual workshops will cover the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults and the services offered by Hispanic Outreach in the Albany Diocese.

Mr. Amico said a workshop on self-care for pastoral care ministers acknowledges that "even Jesus needed time away from His care of the sick and suffering." 

(09/24/09) [[In-content Ad]]

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