August 30, 2012

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s Office of Priestly Formation is making a new emphasis: “the Heart of Christ.”

Fr. Martin Fox, director of the office, has launched a new blog titled “Heart of Christ” (http://www.catholiccincinnati.org/ministries-offices/priestly-formation-2/blog/). The blog will allow Fr. Fox to inform priests of the many opportunities for growth, beyond what can easily be circulated by mail. Priests, in turn, will have another way to contact his office.

And on Friday, September 14—the Feast of the Holy Cross—Archbishop Dennis Schnurr will lead prayers to “enthrone” an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ in the Office of Priestly Formation.

The office, located on the sixth floor of the Archdiocese’s downtown Cincinnati offices, exists to support priests in ongoing educational and spiritual growth.

“One way to understand my role is to help the Archbishop be a pastor to his priests,” Fr. Fox explained. “I arrange annual retreats and days of reflection, and opportunities for priests to do further learning in the many subjects we deal with, from Scripture to business matters to counseling.”

In addition to supporting continuing-education programs, the Office of Priestly Formation also supports priests in sabbaticals and full-time studies.
Why the “Heart of Christ”?

“Because that’s where our priesthood begins, and where all our efforts must lead,” explained Archbishop Schnurr.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati is the 38th largest Catholic diocese in the country, with almost 500,000 Catholics, and has the seventh largest network of Catholic schools in terms of enrollment.  The 19-county territory includes 214 parishes and 114 Catholic primary and secondary schools.