In this 2010 Spring issue of The Swag, we are including detailed summaries of the four keynote addresses to the July NCP Convention in Parramatta. The summaries are almost entirely expressed in the words of the authors.

Donald Cozzens

This is our time to be priests. So, let’s not wish for another time… a time when things might be more peaceful. But, without question, it’s a difficult time. And that makes your gathering this year in convention important for the church and for the priesthood.

I’m going to tell you a little bit about my experience of priesthood. Not too much, I hope. But enough to let you take my measure. Do I know what I’m talking about? Do I understand a bit of what you are going through here in Australia?

Knowing a little bit of where I’m coming from might make our conversations more real, more honest.

Richard Lennan

Richard began his address with reflections on the importance of context. “Talk about God – and about all that derives from faith in God – is always done by somebody, at some time, and in some place” and “the person, the time and the place are not incidental, but integral to how be come to understand God.”

David Tacey

David began his address with a personal anecdote, an experience which represented a crisis in his personal and professional identity.

“I had seen myself, or I had wanted to be, a Catholic intellectual, and here I was being rebuked by the Church. I had long realized that although I was a university academic, I did not fit into the academic world because I was too religious.

Geraldine Doogue

I often remember the observation of this priest: Sanctity is merely the doing of one’s allotted task in life to the best of one’s ability. I love that phrase. I use it in my life. It’s eloquent for me. I find it liberating because it’s not explicitly inviting me to heroics and martyrdom.

Gough Whitlam was once questioned after he spent extra days looking over classical ruins in Greece & Sicily, while the nation was embroiled in turbulent activity at home. On arrival back in Sydney a young enthusiastic reporter asked “Prime Minister, things are not going well here, why did you spend so much time among ancient ruins”? Gough’s reply – “They were worth a peep”.

Wait Upon The Bell written during the Reconciliation Service, in Parramatta Cathedral, during the NCP Convention The journey beckons movement … faltering steps purposely forward softened by the invitation… Will you walk with me Will you share the burden Will you understand Will you embrace the true self wounded – yet life-filled? In the meeting [...]

Any way you look at it the Parramatta NCP Conference was a resounding success – excellent speakers, great venue, a wonderful spirit amongst the guys, two hundred and fifty priests and bishops passionate about their Church and their priesthood.

I must say it was a great feeling being among like-minded clergy. From the moment I arrived I knew I was with a group of guys who were inspired by Vatican II and determined to keep the spirit of the Council alive. Clearly this conference was not going to be a retreat into the security of the past, but an attempt to outline a vision for the future.

It was obvious from the start that all of us were keen to hear each of the major presenters. And I think that the number who attended the conference, including the eight bishops, was indicative of the great interest that the topics aroused and we were not disappointed.

The lead given by Donald Cozzens in his address was a wonderful and thought-provoking start that gave us plenty to get our teeth into.

For me, these are the words of the conference. It was during Donald Cozzens keynote address that I suddenly realized what it was that I had been praying about and for these past numbers of months.