Priests Gather in Brotherhood at Annual Convocation & Jubilarian Priests

Along with Bishop Edward Weisenburger, 130 priests have gathered from across the Diocese of Tucson for their annual Convocation meeting yesterday and today. In addition to prayer and Masses at the Cathedral, our priests reviewed important logistical topics and enjoyed presentations from Rev. Ronald Rolheiser, OMI, about spirituality and ministry. Father Rolheiser elaborated on how to minister in a time of bitter polarization and the biblical invitation to move from simply being “good” to actually being a “Saint.”

The annual Convocation fosters community and brotherhood among priests, some of whom are stationed at remote parishes in small though welcoming towns and or serve as the only priest of multiple mission churches. The gathering includes Diocesan priests as well as priests in the many religious orders, offering an opportunity for exchange and collaboration across the 43,000 square miles of our Diocese.

“This annual gathering is a special time for the entire presbyterate of the Diocese of Tucson,” said Fr. Alan Valencia, pastor of St. Augustine Cathedral. “We are able to gather to process our thoughts about ministry and preaching the Gospel, to pray together, and to foster fraternity as brother priests. Our coming together as one body speaks to the heart of the priesthood: not only do we support each other in these wonderful gatherings, but as we come together, we manifest the prayer of Jesus for his disciples, in the most jubilant way, ‘I pray… so that they may be one.’”

On Monday evening, Bishop Weisenburger congratulated the 11 Jubilarian priests who are celebrating milestone anniversaries this year. Jubilarians include:

60th Anniversary

Rev. Walter Chroback, OFM
Rev. David Costello, OCD
Rev. Thomas DeMan, OP

50th Anniversary

Rev. Liam Leahy
Rev. Msgr. Jeremiah McCarthy
Rev. Ignatius Harding OFM
Rev. Rodney Farke

40th Anniversary

Rev. Manuel Viera, OFM

25th Anniversary

Rev. Christopher Orndorf II
Rev. Jose Maria Corvera
Rev. Dale Branson

Congratulations, Jubilarians, and thank you for your lifetime of service!

Please continue to pray for the more than 200 priests in the Diocese of Tucson, as well as for an increase of vocations to the priesthood.


Photo by Fr. John Arnold