Greetings in the name of the Risen Jesus and Happy Easter!
As you may already know from the March Newsletter our Annual International Fraternity Conference will be hosted by our brothers in Tucson, Arizona, USA. This will be the third gathering in Tucson over the years. It will take place from Sunday evening, July 26, until Friday morning, July 31.
The registration cost this year is $425.00, which includes the conference, lodging, and meals. It was decided at the annual board meeting in Steubenville that the Fraternity would again extend a travel reimbursement of up to $300.00 for those travelling from North America and up to $1000.00 for those travelling from the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Please alert us beforehand on the registration form if you will need a reimbursement and enclose a copy of your paid airfare bill. If an individual brother needs additional financial assistance, please contact me by e-mail at stjolin@hotmail.com.
It will be up to each of you to arrange your flight to the Tucson International Airport (TUS). Try to arrive during the afternoon or evening of Sunday, July 26. The brothers from Tucson will arrange for transportation from the airport to the retreat house. Transportation to the airport at the end of the conference will also be provided.
As I wrote in the Newsletter, in the early days of the Fraternity, this summer gathering was known as the “Leaders Conference” and was usually held in Rhode Island. At some point it was opened not only to the leaders of Fraternity groups but also to any Fraternity brother who wished to attend. I believe this was a good thing. In recent years, however, fewer of our leaders have been in attendance. I want to encourage the leaders of our groups to make a serious effort to be present this summer. The conference is a wonderful opportunity to renew friendships, to meet new brothers, to learn what the Lord is doing in our local groups and in other parts of the world, and to rekindle the original vision of the Fraternity.
This year we are blessed to have Sr. Ann Shields from Renewal Ministries as our major presenter. I know from hearing her in the past that she has a special gift for speaking to priests. A frequent speaker at national and international conferences, Sr. Ann has authored Pray and Never Lose Heart, What Am I Living For?, Yielding to the Power of God, Fire in My Heart, God Answers Prayer, More of the Holy Spirit.
Please join us at the conference and try to make your decision soon. Keep the conference and Sr. Ann in your prayers. Pray that we may deepen our love of the Lord and our love of our brothers.
At this meeting we will have an election for two Board Members. Come prepared for nominations. Make sure the person you nominate is willing to serve a three year term. Also please nominate a Fraternity member for the Annual Brotherhood Award. I am looking forward to meeting you and praying with you in Tucson.
Your brother in Christ,
Fr. John Kiley, Chairman