Each year, the Diocese of Green Bay gathers our 100 priests and deacon pastoral leaders for three days of fraternity, prayer, and communion with Bishop Ricken. Held on October 7-9, 2024, in Egg Harbor, the Congress was an incredible success, giving clergy members more ways they can bring Jesus to parishioners.
A key presenter is featured over the three days to help form and enhance the clergy’s ministry according to Bishop’s pastoral leadership. Thanks to a Catholic Foundation Advancing the Mission (ATM) Leadership Development Endowment grant, the 2024 Clergy Congress Speaker—Dr. Timothy O’Malley—presented to the clergy in Green Bay.
O’Malley is a Professor of the Practice, Theology, for the University of Notre Dame. He also is the Associate Director for Research for the McGrath Institute, and he is the Academic Director at the Notre Dame Center for Liturgy.
O’Malley shared several presentations, including “The Holy Spirit and the Eucharistic Assembly” and “The Holy Spirit and the Proclaimed Word of God.”
“Dr. O’Malley’s presentations were engaging, inspiring and memorable. They proved to be an essential part of the success of our Clergy Congress. Our priests and deacons are responsible for the souls of their parishes and beyond, and they take very seriously the call to lead all souls to Christ. Thanks to the Catholic Foundation grant, we were able to provide a leading national presenter who could truly inspire and empower our priests and pastoral leaders with new ideas and approaches to advance the Gospel. It was such a good experience, and we are so grateful to the Foundation for supporting our priests and deacons,” shared Father Mark Vander Steeg, Vicar for Priests & Pastoral Leaders in the Diocese of Green Bay.
O’Malley’s talks were insightful for how priests and pastoral leaders can help parishioners discover Jesus through the Eucharist. This talk was especially helpful for newly ordained priest and Parochial Vicar Father Mark Rydell as he learned more ways to bring Jesus to his parishioners at Holy Cross and St. Katharine Catholic Parishes in Kaukauna.
“As a newly ordained priest, it was a blessing to learn alongside my brothers in Christ, so we can help more people encounter Jesus. The presentations from Dr. O’Malley were informative and engaging. I am grateful I had the opportunity to attend the Congress, and I appreciate the support of the Catholic Foundation in providing this opportunity,” said Fr. Rydell.
In addition to Father Rydell, other priests were inspired. Father Tom Long, Pastor at St. Raphael Parish in Oshkosh, has served as a priest for 34 years since his ordination in 1991. After serving in multiple parishes as well as in diocesan offices, Fr. Long has learned many ways to share Jesus with people. The Congress furthered his learning.
“The Clergy Congress is a great way to connect with the other priests and discover more ways to share Jesus with others. Learning is a lifelong experience, and I am grateful to the Foundation for their support of this event,” explained Father Long.
Because of the support of many generous families like yours, Catholic Foundation grant recipients like the 2024 and 2025 Clergy Congress can help more people share Jesus. Together in faith, we leave a legacy for a brighter tomorrow!
For more than 25 years, the Catholic Foundation has supported Catholic parishes, schools, ministries, and organizations throughout northeastern Wisconsin. We partner with families looking to leave a legacy, and grants and distributions are made each year to support the work of the Church.