Transition to Ministry & Apostolic Community Program
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December 13, 2024The Transition to Ministry and Apostolic Community Program (TMAC) is in transition! I joined Fr. Jose Luis Gomez (Mexico), Fr. Tat Hoang (Denver) and Fr. Dominic Pham (Extra-Patriam), three of the four new TMAC Co-Directors, at the Redemptorist Retreat Center in Oconomowoc on November 18-22. Fr. Tony Bidgood (Canada) was unable to be present because of a commitment prior to his appointment to TMAC.The breakdown of participants according to Units was: 5 from Extra- Patriam; 3 from Baltimore; 2 from Canada; and 1 from Denver. Fr. Royston Price, a Redemptorist of the London Province, also was present. Confreres unable to participate included: Fr. Huan Le of Baltimore, who was in Vietnam for the priesthood ordination of his brother; Fr. Huyen Nguyen, who was in Vietnam for the first anniversary of his mother’s death; Br. Ken Stinger, who serves on the Unification Committee and participated in the first Unification Gathering in Long Branch; and Br. AJ Riviere, rector of the Brooklyn community, who was needed at home.
After a long day of travel, we gathered Monday evening to enjoy each other’s company over food and drink. Tuesday morning we split into three groups of five to check in using the questions sent six weeks prior based on the human development dimensions found in the Congregation’s Formation Ratio. Tuesday afternoon and evening we were blessed to have Bishop Bruce Lewandowski of the Archdiocese of Baltimore present on leadership skills using “working genius.” He also shared some thoughts on Solidarity and Synodality in the Church and some of the things he is involved with in Baltimore working with local pastors in light of the reconfiguration of parishes in the Archdiocese. Bruce’s enthusiasm for the Church and Redemptorists is very evident.
Wednesday began with Mass and breakfast followed by a day off. Groups of confreres went off to see different sights and enjoy different restaurants in the area. It is important the men have down time to share about life, community and ministry with their peers. On Thursday, Fr. Peter Hill, former co-director of the formation program in San Antonio who presently resides in Brooklyn, spoke about preaching preparation and preaching in numerous situations such as daily Mass, Sunday celebrations, Baptisms, weddings and funerals. Participants were attentive, involved and pleased with both presenters and presentations.
In the afternoon, participants evaluated this session and offered recommendations about topics and presenters for future sessions. There was also a chance to speak with the new TMAC Co-Directors and talk about the program. The evening began with Mass, followed by supper. Our Ukrainian confreres led us in a Ukrainian Evening Prayer before the day concluded with a social.Throughout the time together, each participant also met privately with one of the new Co-Directors to talk about their lives as well as the frequency they are meeting with their mentors and spiritual directors. The time together nurtured some good camaraderie, and was time well spent.
Moving forward, conversations need to continue and efforts need to be made to offer the program in English and Spanish so that all our men entering full-time ministry throughout the North American Conference may benefit from this program. The next two sessions are scheduled on May 5-9, 2025 at Mother of Perpetual Help Retreat House in Houston, and November 17-21, 2025 at San Alfonso in Long Branch, NJ.With grateful hearts, the group recognized Fr. Bob Wojtek and me for our leadership, dedication and perseverance these past years as Co-Directors of the TMAC program.