From October 3rd-6th, 45 clergy couples from all Metropolises and seasons of life gathered in Chicago for the first-ever Archdiocesan Clergy Couple Retreat, with the theme "Marriage and Ministry: A Seamless Embrace," that derives from the underlying conviction that healthy and holy marriages are directly connected to healthy and holy ministry. We worshipped together, [...]
By Pres. Kerry Pappas Two recent and significant events in my life have taught me through experience something I have increasingly grown to understand intellectually over the last several years. The events are: Holy Week and hip replacement surgery. In my work on marriage, I use the icon of Christ the Bridegroom as the image of [...]
By Pres. Kerry Pappas Introduction In his keynote address to the priests at the national clergy retreat in 2007, Fr. Vasileios Thermos said: “The clergy couple is the touch-stone of the quality of our pastoral ministry.” Furthermore, “We minister to the Lord and His people through health and integrity; practically, this means that we are [...]
By Pres. Kerry Pappas “For there is no relationship between man and woman so close as that between man and wife, if they be joined together as they should be.” (St. John Chrysostom) In the last newsletter I addressed some of the challenges and opportunities resulting from Covid. One of the opportunities we now have, [...]
The exposure to traumatic stress, both in one’s own life and in the lives of others, is an inescapable part of living in these unique and turbulent times. This webinar will examine the impact of traumatic stress on marriage and ministry in the lives of clergy families, providing education and strategies for surviving and thriving [...]
By Presvytera Melanie DiStefano A 20-year study conducted by the American Psychological Association found that chronically drug-addicted persons already had in place the personality characteristics which made them vulnerable to drug addiction by age eight. Their parents had pressured them to improve and succeed, without enjoying their children. They failed to notice what was worthwhile [...]
Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 1 pm EST. Fr. Alex Goussetis, the director of the Center for Family Care, will interview Bishop John, and participants will be able to ask questions at the end. As always, the webinar will last about 45 minutes and will be archived for viewing if you cannot participate in the live [...]
By Pres. Melanie DiStefano “If you see your neighbor in sin, don’t look only at this, but also think about what he has done or does that is good, and infrequently trying this in general, while not partially judging, you will find that he is better than you.” - St. Basil the Great, Conversations, 20 [...]
In this article, written by Jessica Young Brown and entitled "Who Cares for the Shepherds? The Secondary Trauma of Faith Leaders Must be Addressed," the common experience of secondary trauma, which clergy consistently encounter during the best of times is addressed in the context of our present cultural circumstances. It is an important read for [...]
