THE JOURNAL
September-October  Vol. 4 No. 5


 
 
 
 
Letters

To the N.C. Team

Dianne and I have expressed our regrets that our area will not be represented at the Sept. Conference but our hearts, minds and Spirits will be hovering over you in Bragg Creek as you seek together to respond to new and different challenges.  May the Spirit of the Living God direct your path into these uncharted waters with new zeal, excitement and awe as we continue to grow and stretch and BECOME.

As Always,

Love & Prayers Sis


On behalf of the Team and all the members of Corpus Canada I wish to express our great gratitude to Sis for the contribution she has made to Corpus. We will dearly miss her warm and wise presence in our midst.

The good news is that Dianne Peck has agreed to take Sis' place until such time as the regional Corpus community in their area finds another person to take on the position. The depth of insight that Dianne brings with her will enrich the deliberations of the National Coordinating Team, as they already have on many occasions.

It is unfortunate that neither Sis nor Dianne will be able to be present at the Bragg Creek conference. If it is humanly (divinely?) possible, we should try to have a Corpus Canada conference in Sydney, NS as soon as we can!

Blessings, Art
  

 


 
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THE JOURNAL
September-October  Vol. 4 No. 5


 
 
 
 

 The Gathering at Bragg Creek

By Arthur Menu, Sidney, BC

We had a good conference at Bragg Creek. Although Janet Malone, who was scheduled to be the facilitator, could not come because of airline problems, we were able to use our time well discussing the theme of "small faith communities." Chuck McLelland and the Calgary crew showed wonderful hospitality and looked after all our needs. Everyone had a really good time. Thank you, Calgary!

The members of the National Coordinating Team who were there met on Friday and Saturday. Alanna Menu took minutes of both the NCT meeting and the Corpus Canada Annual General Meeting.

I'll mention a few highlights of the AGM. The Shea-Noonan motion was passed with some changes in wording. Instead of Corpus Canada being divided into two separate organizations, the motion acknowledged that two separate organizations, Corpus and Xristos Community Society already exist, and have aims that differ but still permit the two organizations to cooperate in certain areas such as the publication of The Journal. Corpus can at any time arrange to have someone other than Xristos publish The Journal, but for the moment the present arrangement stands. The historical emphases of Corpus were reaffirmed and Xristos is free to pursue the aims of its constitution without restriction. I think everyone will be satisfied that the roles of Corpus and Xristos have been given a formulation that will enable both organizations to go forward with a clear sense of their distinct identities.

We welcomed some new regional representatives on the National Coordinating Team. Joan Palardy will be the southern Alberta rep with the assistance of Brendan Fletcher and Chuck McLellan. Rick and Marjorie Laplante will be the northern Alberta reps, with Jerry and Jan Moran as alternates. Chuck has promised that information about all of these folks will be posted on CORPUS-N.

The membership of the National Coordinating Team was expanded to include program/project leaders. These are people who take on a major program or project for Corpus Canada. To my mind, an example of such a program/project leader would be Chris Diamond, who as chief editor of The Journal heads up a program that has great importance for Corpus. Although The Journal is officially a Xristos, not a Corpus, operation, the fact is that The Journal serves as the newsletter for Corpus and should be treated among ourselves as a program for Corpus.

The AGM also approved on the recommendation of the NCT that the position of Coordinator be established. The person or  persons who fill this position would be a member of the NCT and act as facilitator for NCT deliberations and decision making, but more than that they would bring energy and initiative to provide Corpus with leadership. In reviewing how the NCT has worked over the past few years, those NCT members who met at Bragg Creek agreed that there has been a lack of leadership in Corpus. Chris Diamond nominated and the AGM approved the selection of Grant Croswell and Colleen Lissamer, a married couple now living in Victoria and previously in Saskatoon, for this position for a two-year term.

We extend our congratulations to all the new NCT members, and Dianne Peck, who takes Sis McNeil's place as representative for Nova Scotia. Corpus is blessed to have people of such quality join the NCT.

The AGM awarded honorary Corpus life memberships to François Brassard and Connie Kurtenbach, and Joe Gubbels, for their exemplary service to Corpus Canada from its very beginnings.

The AGM also moved thanks to Wayne Debly for setting up and managing the CORPUS-N and CORPUS-L internet mailing lists, and to Michael Zarb for his work as webmaster of the Corpus Canada web site <www.corpuscanada.org>.

Other important business was transacted which you may hear about from people who were at the conference and which will be covered in the minutes.

It has been a privilege for me to have chaired the meetings of the NCT and the AGM the past few years. These tasks will be in Grant and Colleen's capable hands now and that is an additional and personal reason for me to thank them for accepting the position of Coordinator.

Arthur Menu, Sidney, British Columbia, Canada





For pictures of the conference see Bragg Creek Album
 

 


 
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THE JOURNAL
September-October  Vol. 4 No. 5


 
 
 
 

Corpus National Coordinating Team Meeting 2001


Bragg Creek, Alberta  

The meeting took place over three sessions on 14 and 15 September 2001

Present:  Chuck McLellan, François Brassard, Connie Kurtenbach, Chris Diamond, Naomi Diamond, Yvonne Cashen, Joe Cashen, Alanna Menu, Arthur Menu, Emil Kutarna, Jake Kutarna, Jim Noonan, Adeline Schmidt, Leonard Schmidt [These were present at the first session on 14 September. Some of these did not attend the sessions on 15 September. Not all those listed as present are members of the National Coordinating Team.]
Regrets: Jim Doyle, Dianne Peck

1. François Brassard opened the meeting by saying a prayer.

2. Discussion of Agenda: items from October N.C.T. meeting in Ottawa.

3. Discussion of wording of Noonan/Shea motion.
The motion as originally proposed on the CORPUS-N mailing list in August read as follows:
We move that the present organisation known as Corpus Canada become two separate organisations, which will reflect the different orientations of the current Corpus Canada membership:
One organisation will be called Corpus Canada, and will continue those aims and objectives of the present Corpus Canada that emphasise reforms in the Roman Catholic Church, in such areas as optional celibacy, a married clergy, and women priests.
The other organisation will be called Xristos Community Society and its particular aim will be the promotion of small faith communities.

a) Add 'creation of small faith communities' to Corpus Canada paragraph because this motion is not rejecting that function of Corpus.
b) Formation of sub-committee of Art and Jim to work on the wording of the Xristos paragraph to reflect the idea that Xristos will be free to pursue its constitutional aims and present it to the AGM.
ALL AGREED

4. Discussion of wording of Corpus Vision Statement
Further to the motion at the N.C.T. October meeting, the Team read the Vision statement in order to present it to the AGM for approval.
a) Change 'renewal of ministry (service)' to 'renewal of ministry'.
b) Change 'development of lay leadership' to 'leadership among all the baptised'.
c) Change 'especially to the marginalised' to 'including the marginalised'.
d) Change 'to reach them' to 'to reach people'.
ALL AGREED.

5. Follow-up to François' motion for a) training manual and b) workshops
a) Problems for development of a manual because particular methodologies differ with respect to audience and purpose. Need to identify specific target audience and purposes before making a manual.
b) Same difficulties for development of workshops.
c) François stated that he will be a resource person for Corpus and will obtain funding of small faith communities through Xristos.

6. Follow-up on motion re membership on N.C.T. with respect to regional representation
a) Thanks to Jim Noonan for a great job in recruiting members to all regions.
b) Still need representative for New Brunswick, Nova Scotia (especially Halifax) Newfoundland, Edmonton, and the North (e.g. NWT)
c) Sis McNeil has resigned and has recruited Dianne Peck for Cape Breton. Art reported on the concerns Sis and Dianne wished brought to this meeting as they were communicated to him by email from Sis and Dianne.

7. Follow-up on motion re N.C.T. term of office
a) After 2 years each member shall search for a replacement.
b) Chuck McLellan has been a member for 5 years and may have a replacement.
c) Jim Noonan is searching.
d) Jim Doyle from Vancouver Island sends regrets for this meeting.

8. AGM Agenda
a) Report from N.C.T. -- Art
b) Treasurer's Report -- Alanna
c) Noonan/Shea motion
d) Corpus Vision statement
e) Report on The Journal -- Chris
f) François' motions -- Strategies
g) Motions for Thanks
h) François/Connie life-membership motion -- Joe
i) Conference for next year -- host?

9. Motions re Strategies from François Brassard
Fran expressed his intention to bring the following two strategies to the AGM on 16 September 2001 as practical applications of specific Corpus Canada objectives:

STRATEGY ONE: A proposal for a more effective hospitality ministry
National project leader: François Brassard
A. Target Audience (regardless of sexual orientation):
- active priests in transition or already having transitioned;
- active priests in relationships with women;
- active priests needing support/counselling;
- women seeking equality of treatment in terms of ministry.
B. Types of hospitality being offered:
- social contact, empathetic listening;
- career counselling;
- emotional support from qualified people;
- promotion and practical support of women's ministerial equality movement.
C. 'How To' Strategies:
- establish updated directories of active clergy and members of religious life;
- establish updated directories of inactive priests and resigned members of religious life;
- identify Corpus members or others capable and willing to offer services;
- promote efforts at the local level to make contacts and offer services (without any attempt to recruit members for Corpus Canada);
- connect with bishops via e-mail, etc., to offer support services for active priests needing help;
- place advertisements in well-chosen publications offering services for target audiences.

STRATEGY TWO:  A proposal for a more effective promotion of Corpus Canada goals and activities.
National project leader: François Brassard
A. Target Audience
- priests and religious of all types;
- reform and renewal people and organisations;
- Catholics/Christians in the pews;
- unchurched or marginalised Catholics/Christians;
- the 'secular' world.
B. What are we promoting?
a) Goals
- a renewed priesthood within a renewed Church;
- a healthy view of sexuality;
- justice issues: in the church and in the world.
b) Activities
- hospitality ministry;
- sacramental ministry;
- justice ministries.
C. 'How To' Strategies:
- establish accurate directories of active and inactive clergy and religious;
- establish accurate directories of reform groups;
- promote via The Journal, e-newsletters, web sites;
- promote via syndicated columns in Catholic or secular print media;
- promote via radio and TV.
In order to accomplish these strategies, there must be a project leader or champion who would take on the leadership role and find local people who would be part of a team to do these things.

10. Structure of the N.C.T.
Discussion
- Is the function of rotating facilitator working?
- There is a difference between a manager/facilitator/leader. A leader is a champion, an inspirer. "I miss that energy." We have good management and chairing but we need more.
     -- a person to create magic; someone visionary, charismatic.
- How about a facilitator plus a leader.
- A facilitator is a management function chosen by the group. Perhaps the group could choose a dynamic, visionary leader.
- Different facilitator every 3 months has not been adequate -- need at least a year.
- To provide leadership we have to have clear goals and aims. This is missing. Leadership is necessary to coordinate all the different resources.
- N.C.T. takes care of business and acts as an advisory board. Need someone to facilitate this group.
- Representative of region is a conduit of information from the local community and is different from a leader (may not necessarily make a good leader). A representative and a leader call for different talents. We have the mechanism for local representation; we need another mechanism for leader/coordinator.
- The only way we can get people on the N.C.T. is to ask them to be representatives. But if we also ask them to be promoters, they may not have the gifts and may feel overwhelmed, overworked.
- May not get additional people unless there is a substantive outline of the job requirements. The Coordinator job description is too vague.
- Need structure -- that's important; titles are not important.
- Corpus needs effective programs implemented in various regions. This requires an effective leader. Is the running of these programs the function of the N.C.T. or does the N.C.T. have a different function?
- In any particular region there may be a person who has a gift or an enthusiasm to lead a program. We would designate them as program leaders; they could also be members of  N.C.T.. But members of N.C.T. may not necessarily want to be program leaders or have the gifts.
- We're looking at the expansion of the N.C.T. to include both local representation and program leaders (with valuable input from both groups).
- Some people have a passion but may not want to be a member of N.C.T.
- Need one leader of Corpus. May be chosen by N.C.T. or by Corpus Canada.
- Do we want one person to have overall function of facilitation? Or do we want to look for a leader of the team that incorporates the role of facilitation plus the extra role of enthusiasm and vision? Do we have someone who can do this?
- Let the membership know we're looking for someone willing to make a commitment of at least 2 years with year 3 to instruct a replacement.

MOTION: that N.C.T. will continue to have representatives from regions but will also be open to program leaders with passion plus a Coordinator with a 2-year term (but we are willing to accept a 1-year term). ALL AGREED.

11. Shadow Synod
Shadow Synod will meet in Rome in September and October 2001. Jack Shea has a letter from supporting organisations (e.g., Le Manifest, CITI, International Federation of Married Priests) which asks for support from Corpus Canada for this endeavour. This matter does not need to go to the AGM; N.C.T. will support it. On 20 September 2001, the Canadian bishops meet to prepare for the Synod and the document will be presented to them then.

12. Follow-up on Public Relations Representative -- François Brassard
At the October N.C.T. meeting, François accepted this position. He wanted to do the job as a team and is pleased to have had support and leads from many members, notably Joe and Jim. He foresees better things in the future with the Strategy for Promotion of Goals and Activities.

13. Follow-up on Joe Cashen's work
Joe is organising a program for priests in transition and will be the contact person for priests wishing to transition. He is hoping to organise groups in London, Hamilton, Toronto and Mississauga -- small communities available to be a support to priests in transition. He has been doing counselling for men in their 50's and 60's who have encountered family break-ups and loss of employment.

14. Journal Editorial Policy
Chris noted that the policy was formed and published in The Journal with discussion on e-mail. The Corpus Vision statement is a broad statement of The Journal editorial policy and is in The Journal every issue therefore the specific editorial policy is not necessary to be printed every time because it takes space.
Question about 'reform of the Roman Catholic Church' being included in the policy.
- Because that is a lobbying, political function we cannot explicitly state it since our tax status which funds the publishing of The Journal could be compromised. People do not read the masthead to find out whether Corpus and The Journal advocates reform of the Roman Catholic Church -- they read the articles. 

15. Follow-up re Regional Editors for The Journal
Jim Noonan appointed for the National Capital Region; Emil Kutarna appointed for Saskatchewan. Still need representatives for Alberta, Manitoba, Newfoundland, PEI, Toronto. Leonard will approach Neil Parado. Bring this issue to the AGM for volunteers.

16. Corpus-N Internet List
N.C.T. uses this List to do business. Any paid-up member can use the List. Jack Shea raised the issue whether it would be better for the N.C.T. to discuss items among themselves, not on a List available to anybody. The whole purpose of the List is to enable Corpus members to participate -- like an open meeting. If there are certain sensitive issues which should be confidential, members should use a personal List, not the N-List. Common sense should also be used. Jim will clarify this with Jack.
Question when would a person be removed from the List; if they have not paid, are they removed.
- At the meeting last year in Ottawa we agreed to let them be on for a year. October is when the year is up.

17. Follow-up re Membership Appeal
At the October meeting the N.C.T. decided that the annual appeal published in the November-December issue of The Journal would encourage people to take out Corpus memberships. This would be the emphasis. The option of making a direct donation to Xristos would be mentioned but not emphasized. This was done in the November-December issue of the year 2000.

The meeting adjourned.  Minutes submitted by Alanna Menu




For pictures of the conference see Bragg Creek Album
 

 


 
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THE JOURNAL
September-October  Vol. 4 No. 5


 
 
 
 
News from Corpus-NCR


By Jim Noonan, Ottawa, ON (Corpus-NCR)


 After a break in meetings for the summer, Corpus-NCR met at the home of John and Rosa Kroetch in Carp, Ontario, 40 k. west of Ottawa, on September 22. Some twenty-five people attended the discussion and potluck supper.  The evening was marked by a discussion based on the book Tomorrow’s Catholic by Michael Morwood, which was reviewed by one of our members, Ban Hanlon, in the last issue of The Journal.

The topic for discussion was our personal images of God. In the aftermath of the recent terrorist attacks on the United States, the topic took on special meaning, and began with a question especially relevant to these horrendous events: “What kind of God would allow this to happen?”

The discussion was long and lively. Many people spoke of their personal images of God in the light of these current events and a world where everyone is more closely connected with everyone else than in the past as a result of advances in technology. Several emphasized the disparity in living standards between first- and third-world countries, and the importance of addressing this and other reasons that make people like the Taliban hate the West if we are to project to them the image of a just and caring God. The discussion continued well into the delicious potluck supper and over coffee/tea and dessert.

Jim Noonan reported on the Corpus Canada Conference help September 14-16 in Bragg Creek. He reminded everyone that other Corpus Canada members were welcome to join the National Coordinating Team as representatives of Corpus-NCR, and that if they did there would be a one-year overlap of new and retiring members.

The next two meetings are on Saturday, October 27 at 4:30 p.m. at the Shea-James’s, and on Saturday, December 1 at the same time at the Noonans’. After talking with other Team members at the Bragg Creek Conference, I am hopeful that one or more members of the NCT from outside the Ottawa area - possibly even the new Coordinators of Corpus Canada, Grant Croswell and Colleen Lissamer - will join us at one or both of these meetings.

 


 
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