March 17, 2005
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information, Contact:
Bud Bunce (503) 233-8373
bbunce@archdpdx.org
Eucharist is the theme for the Pastoral Ministry Conference
The Archdiocese of Portland’s Pastoral Ministry Conference will be held on Wednesday, April 27 at the Holiday Inn Select in Wilsonville. The conference will run from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The theme for this year’s conference will be “The Sunday Eucharist – Center of Parish Life.” Dr. Owen Cummings will be the Keynote presenter. The conference will develop the theme that the Eucharist is the center of the Christian community. All parish activities spring from the Eucharist, and lead toward it. Together, the pastor and pastoral staff give witness by their lives and ministry to the profound connection between the celebration of the Sunday Eucharist and all parish life.
Dr. Owen Cummings is the Regents Chair of Theology and Professor of Systematic Theology at Mount Angel Seminary. He is a permanent deacon for the past 16 years, and is incardinated in the Diocese of Salt Lake City. Dr. Cummings holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Semitic Languages from the University College Dublin, and a Bachelor of Divinity in Theology from the University of Dublin, Trinity College. He has earned a Master of Theology Degree in Systematic Theology and a Doctorate in Divinity degree in Systematic Theology both from the University of Dublin, Trinity College.
Dr. Cummings has authored more than one hundred and fifty articles in such periodicals as Worship, The Clergy Review, The Priest, Priests and People, Chicago Studies, The Living Light, New Blackfriars, Emmanuel, Antiphon, and One in Christ. Included among the books Dr. Cummings has written are: Deacons and the Church (2004), and Eucharistic Soundings (1999). A book in progress for future publication is: Eucharistic Doctors, A History of Eucharistic Theology (forthcoming in 2006).
The Pastoral Ministry conference will begin with a buffet breakfast at 8:00 a.m., followed by morning prayer at 9:00 a.m., and Dr. Cummings presentation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Archbishop John G. Vlazny will conclude the conference with the celebration of the Eucharist.
The early registration fee, received by April 6, is $40 per person, which includes the conference, breakfast and lunch. Late registration fee is $50 per person. A group discount for 5 or more persons from the same parish is available until April 6 for $35 per person. The group discount is not available after April 6. Registration forms are available on the Archdiocese of Portland web page www.archdpdx.org/news&events. For further information contact Todd Cooper 503-233-8386, tcooper@archdpdx.org.
Those needing lodging should contact the Wilsonville Holiday Inn Select directly at 503-682-2211, and ask for the Archdiocese of Portland rate. Rooms must be reserved by April 5 to receive the discounted rate.