THE ONGOING FORMATION OF PRIESTS (OGF) COMMITTEE
There are currently 13 members whose responsibilities appear below. For further details or to contact a committee member, click on the Committee and Staff page.
Director of Ongoing Formation
Christian Education Centre
In-Service Training
Personal Support
Professional Development
Recently Ordained/Arrived Priests
Retired Priests
Retreats and Spiritual Support
Support Groups
The terms of office for membership of the OGF Committee for the Director of Ongoing Formation, the Director of the Christian Education Centre and the Episcopal Vicar for Retired Priests, is for as long as they hold such appointments by the Archbishop. All other members of the OGF Committee have a 5 year term of office.
The OGF Committee is served by an office based at Wandsworth - West Hill Parish - using Archbishop’s House as its address. The office is staffed by a part-time secretary.
THE PURPOSE OF THE OGF COMMITTEE
The Mission Statement for the Ongoing Formation of Priests Committee remains that formulated by the Ministry to Priests team in November 1989.
“Our purpose is to work with each other and with the Archbishop in the pastoral care of the presbyterate, to advance priestly brotherhood and the personal growth of ourselves and all our priests in the service and mission of the Church”.
It is recognised that Ongoing Formation is primarily the responsibility of the individual priest - and embraces the human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral areas of his life and ministry. The ways in which the OGF Committee assists priests are outlined on the next pages:
The Director of Ongoing Formation
The Director oversees the work of the Committee in the light of Pastores Dabo Vobis and the Directory on the Ministry and Life of Priests, and encourages it to be both reactive and proactive in meeting the needs of the priests of the Diocese.
The Director of the Christian Education Centre
The Director brings a broader view and an expertise to the Committee as a result of working with priests and laity throughout the Diocese in the area of adult formation.
In-Service Training
Those working in this area arrange a variety of courses throughout the year in various locations within the Diocese - attempting to address the human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral areas of priestly life and ministry.
Personal Support
The Committee member working in this area maintains the Directory of Supervisors, Counsellors and Psychotherapists – and is available to offer personal support in a priest’s life and ministry – or to be of assistance in discerning other appropriate sources of help.
Professional Development
The Committee members responsible for this area work towards providing and promoting systems of professional development – such as appraisal, mentoring etc – for priests of the Diocese.
Recently Ordained/Arrived Priests
Those working in this area ensure that those newly ordained and/or newly arrived in the Diocese are aware of the support that is available to them, and encourage such priests to avail themselves of this provision. They are also responsible for contact with those in formation for priesthood, in order to sow positive seeds regarding continuing formation after ordination.
Retired Priests
The Episcopal Vicar for retired priests has pastoral responsibility for such priests, ensuring that they are cared for and supported in their senior years.
Retreats & Spiritual Support
Those responsible for this area arrange a 5-day Diocesan retreat each year (as well as any other spiritual provision that may be required) and maintain a Directory of Spiritual Directors available to priests of the Diocese on request.
Priestly Support Groups
Those working in this area are available to support any groups already in existence - to facilitate the forming of new groups - and to provide information and assistance to any priest wishing to join a group, or move from one group to another.
THE OGF STANDING COMMITTEE
The OGF Committee usually meets twice a year – in May, with the Archbishop’s Council, and in November, for a 24 hour Residential.
The OGF Standing Committee consists of the Director of Ongoing Formation and three other OGF Committee members.
Its purpose is to assist and advise the OGF Director in Ongoing Formation matters that arise outside of the twice-yearly meetings of the OGF Committee – and to plan the agendas for the May and November meetings.
Meetings of the OGF Standing Committee are called by the OGF Director as and when necessary.
GENERAL DUTIES
In addition to the responsibilities described above, all OGF Committee members promote and encourage participation in Ongoing Formation provision at Parish, Deanery and Diocesan level – as well as generally in their friendships and day-to-day dealings with the clergy. OGF Committee members are also involved both regularly, and occasionally, in assisting with other Ongoing Formation provision.
Such things include helping with the running of the quarterly courses for Recently Ordained / Arrived Priests and (First) Parish Priests at Aylesford in January, April, July and October each year.
Assistance is also offered by OGF Committee members in both the planning and running of gatherings of the clergy initiated by the Archbishop – such as the Hilton Days which occurred in 2005 and the Merville Weeks planned for 2009.
