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10 Feb 2013 - Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

OUR COLLECTIVE and individual histories are filled with people who have acquired helpful, oftentimes life-saving knowledge, then turned around and freely passed it along to anyone who wanted it. Consider the Native Americans who helped the Puritans survive their first hard winter here or the pioneers who explored the American wilderness and returned with maps they had made, saving those who followed time and trouble. Reflect on your own life and recall the people who showed you the way: your parents, a compassionate teacher, an inspiring coach, an older sibling, a novelist. The more you look the more you see that each of us has been guided and helped every step of the way. In truth we all “stand on the shoulders of giants,” as Isaac Newton put it. Saint Peter and the other disciples had Jesus to show them the way. We have the people and circumstances of our lives to guide us. But we are not merely followers. We are called to lead others, too. We are called to pass along what we’ve learned from life, to create maps by our example, to let others light their candles from the light of our experience. To paraphrase Socrates, an unshared life is not worth living.

Authors Ann O'Connor

Teaching Leadership

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Homily stories

21 Oct 2012 - Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Toward the end of the last century management expert Robert Greenleaf initiated the modern servant leadership movement benefit on reforming the authoritarian business management model. The concept was simple and had actually been outlined by Jesus 2,000 years earlier: “Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant.“ Here are some of the hallmarks of servant leaders, outlined by servant leader advocate Larry C. Spears: • Empathetic listener: Servant leaders listen and strive to interpret what others are saying. • Healer: Servant leaders recognize that they may help make whole those whom they manage. • Awakener: Robert Greenleaf said awareness “is a disturber and an awakener.” Able leaders help awaken others to important truths and insights. • Persuader: Effective leaders rely on persuasion, rather than authority, in making decisions. • Visionary Servant leaders understand the past lessons, current realities, and future consequences. • Steward: Servant leaders meet the needs of others with openness and encourage worker involvement in idea generating and decision making. • Community builder: Servant leaders seek to develop a sense of community and care among workers in an institution.

Authors Patrice J. Tuohy

Leadership awareness Servant

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Vatican critiques leadership group of U.S. women religious

29 Apr 2012 - Preaching the News for Sunday

The liturgical readings focus “on the difference between good and bad leadership,” declares the “Inner Word” reflection in this Sunday’s issue of Exploring the Word. The Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a "doctrinal assessment" last week, saying it was compelled to intervene in the case of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), the umbrella organization that represents 80 percent of American nuns, to correct "serious doctrinal problems."The Vatican, calling for reform amid what it termed a doctrinal “crisis” within the LCWR, appointed Archbishop J. Peter Sartain of Seattle to oversee the reform. The assessment states, “it is clear that greater emphasis needs to be placed both on the relationship of the LCWR with the Conference of Bishops, and on the need to provide a sound doctrinal foundation in the faith of the church.”Saying that he hoped he could "help the sisters and the LCWR recognize that we are all in this together," the archbishop called the reform a "great opportunity" for women religious, U.S. bishops, and the Vatican to “strengthen and improve all of our relationships on every level.”The LCWR responded to the assessment in a statement on its website: “The national board of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious will meet May 29-June 1, 2012 to begin its discussion of the conclusions of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’s doctrinal assessment and the implementation plan put forth by that Vatican office.“The board will conduct its meeting in an atmosphere of prayer, contemplation, and dialogue and will develop a plan to involve LCWR membership in similar processes. The conference plans to move slowly, not rushing to judgment. We will engage in dialogue where possible and be open to the movement of the Holy Spirit. We ask your prayer for us and for the church in this critical time.” Sources: Articles by Francis X. Rocca for Catholic News Service and Michelle Baumanfor Catholic News Agency and a blog post by Fr. James Martin, S.J. for America

congregation for the doctrine of the faith united states conference of catholic bishops nuns sisters lcwr leadership conference of women religious doctrine peter j sartain

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Women religious hope for dialogue on Vatican critique

19 Aug 2012 - Preaching the News for Sunday

Wisdom’s hope for the people of God is clear in this Sunday’s reading from the Book of Proverbs: “Advance in the way of understanding.” Expressing a similar hope, albeit with some wariness, members of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), a group criticized in a spring Vatican report that ordered an overhaul of the organization, said Friday they would talk with church leaders about potential changes as long as the process did not force them to compromise on their mission.Sister Pat Farrell, outgoing president of the LCWR, said that members believe that "open and honest dialogue may lead not only to increasing understanding between the church leadership and women religious, but also to creating more possibilities for the laity and, particularly for women, to have a voice in the church."She said that the more than 900 LCWR members who met in St. Louis this past week told their leaders to conduct a conversation with Archbishop Peter Sartain of Seattle, charged by the Vatican with overseeing the organization’s restructuring, but that the leaders "will reconsider if LCWR is forced to compromise the integrity of its mission."Taking the stage to a standing ovation, Farrell said that "some larger movement in the church . . . has landed on LCWR." A key question facing LCWR, she said, is: "What would a prophetic response to the doctrinal assessment look like?""I think it would be humble, but not submissive," she said, "rooted in a solid sense of ourselves, but not self-righteous; truthful, but gentle and absolutely fearless. It would ask probing questions. Are we being invited to some appropriate pruning and are we open to it? Is this doctrinal process an expression of concern or an attempt to control?”Farrell acknowledged the nuns' plan going forward was vague, but noted the process would stretch over five years and had only just started. "Dialogue on doctrine is not going to be our starting point," Farrell said. "Our starting point will be about our own life and about our understanding of religious life, and the [Vatican] document's, in our view, misrepresentation of that, and we'll see how it unfolds from there." Sources: Articles by Mary Wisniewski for Reuters, Agence France Presse, Jim Salter and Rachel Zollfor the Associated Press, and Joshua J. McElwee for National Catholic Reporter

vatican nuns sisters lcwr leadership conference of women religious peter j sartain

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Who will be the GOP presidential candidate? It’s debatable

09 Aug 2015 - Preaching the News for Sunday

The reading from Ephesians this Sunday urges us to imitate Christ and avoid malice, fury, and reviling. All eyes are on Republican presidential candidates this week as their first debate takes place. After weeks of sniping among candidates looking to stand out in the crowded field, will they play it safe and avoid criticizing one another Thursday, or will tempers flare? Homily hint: Politics has always had an element of the theatrical to it, but what the country needs more than a good show are good ideas and wise leadership. Let’s hope the political season now underway has its share of those qualities as well. For more on the lead up to the first debates, see: First GOP Debate: How Republican Presidential Candidates Are Cramming for the Big Showdown

Leadership politics

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The leadership instinct: Love and fear?

Short essays about observed trends in Roman Catholic life - Pastoral trends

It has been said many times that love depends on trust, a trust that is open to risk-taking. In this sense fear is the opposite of love—that which prevents us from loving. Sometimes, for a variety of reasons, pastoral actions, even preaching, can carry an undertone or motivation stemming from fear. If fear is the shadow side of love, and love the strong side of fear, we can’t show love if we have fear. It’s either one way or the other; either we are going to offer love or live in fear. Fear in pastoral leadership can stem from many sources for which one legitimately may have reason for concern: a fear of an erosion of influence, a fear of declining commitment or financial support, a fear of losing control. Pastoral leadership is not immune to the choice between love or fear. If we wish to let go of fear, we need to have a bigger story that allows an openness to risk-taking and an openness to trust. The leadership instinct must frame reality and hear the story in this way if the possibilities promised by love are to be embraced. © 2009, Bryan Froehle.

Authors Bryan Froehle

fear Leadership

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Homily stories

30 Oct 2011 - Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

Politicians, civil servants, and business and religious leaders get themselves into trouble when they hold themselves above accepted and expected moral and ethical standards. Not a day goes by where we don't read in the newspaper or hear on the nightly news the sorry story of someone abusing their authority or taking unfair advantage of their position. A politician accepts a free trip here, a financial officer fudges with a few numbers there, a clergy member closes his or her eyes to the serious problems of others in ministry. Let's face it, people in power protect their own mainly for self-preservation. If one bad apple gets exposed, they fear the worst--that the whole bunch gets thrown out. So they cover-up, distract, and evade. Little by little their attention gets so focused on keeping up appearances, that they have no time for real leadership. These leaders will, of course, deny that they've been remiss in their duties. They'll count off their achievements and good works until we're persuaded that there really is no need to worry about their frequent moral lapses. Jesus sees things much differently. Though perfection is not required from those in power, humility is. Humbled servants are who Jesus calls to leadership. Anyone less is not worthy of the public trust.

Authors Patrice J. Tuohy

perfection Authority Leadership

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Exploring the word

26 Jun 2016 - Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

We take turns being leaders and followers in various contexts. We begin life as followers. Some children emerge as early leaders. We call these kids bossy (or was that just what they called me?). But no one remains fixed in either role indefinitely. Presidents come to the supper table and allow their spouses to set the evening's agenda. Friends initiate one activity and are joiners in the next. I can lead a workshop of 50 people on Saturday, and all eyes are on me. Yet I'm a daughter at my mother's house on Sunday, where she is without question in charge. Shocking though it sounds, even a very competent pastor can preside over the worshipping assembly with full authority, and still listen meekly to the recommendations of the parish council. Libraries are full of books about the necessary qualities of leadership. Warehouses bulge with remaindered books about leaders themselves. Far fewer pages have been dedicated to exploring the idea of what makes a good follower. This is curious given that, without followers, leaders can accomplish relatively little. One place to turn for an all-out manual on the art of followership is the New Testament. The writings of Paul have a lot to say about the breeding of new leaders (see Corinthians and the pastoral letters in particular) as well as the responsibilities of a community of followers. Most followers, in Paul's estimation, fall far short of the ideal! In the gospels, Jesus has little to say that's constructive about leaders or leadership. Leaders are hypocrites, wily foxes, white-washed tombs, self-righteous, and self-deceived. Governance seems hopelessly flawed by its very nature: Perhaps Lord Acton was right about power corrupting absolutely? Interestingly, Jesus never seeks to ascend to an office of leadership. He doesn't join the Pharisaic movement with whom he has much in common theologically. He dismisses the Zealot notion of taking Jerusalem and overturning Roman rule. He does "take the Temple," at least the outer court, on one occasion, identifying himself with its authority. But then he gives it back, recognizing its empty authority as a soon-to-be-dismantled pile of stones. When asked if he's a king, the vanity of earthly kingship is something Jesus lightly dismisses. He also plants a question mark behind his interrogator's own authority. Jesus doesn't spend a lot of time trying to groom leaders to succeed him, not even among the 12 apostles. What Jesus does invest his time and energy on is recruiting and encouraging followers. Even as his inner circle routinely disappoints him, Jesus continues to call others, warning them (us!) that followership is a very demanding position. Only the most sincere and dedicated need apply. Related scripture links Giving testimony: Acts 2:1-11; 1 John 1:1-4 Called to Christ: Rom. 1:5-7, 8:28-30, 11:29; 1 Cor. 1:1-2, 26-31 Famous calls in scripture: Gen. 15:1-6; Exod. 3:4-10; 1 Sam. 3:1-18; Ruth 1:16-18; Isa. 6:1-8; Jer.1:4-10; Acts 9:1-6; Gal. 1:11-16 “Unequal yokes”: 1 Cor. 10-13; 5:6-8; 6:15-20, 7:12-16; 2 Cor. 6:14-18

Authors Alice Camille

Leadership followers leaders

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Homily stories

09 Jan 2011 - Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Cycle A

After her election, the attorney general of Illinois informed her office staff that she would answer phones for an hour or two every couple of weeks so that she could understand what citizens were asking for and getting. Needless to say, her staff balked. It wouldn't be right; it wouldn't be seemly, they advised. But Attorney General Madigan had her way, and she and the citizens she serves are better for it. Madigan isn't the first official to humble herself in that way. Great leaders in every profession and trade try to walk in the shoes of those they serve to gain insights into the best way to lead and set an example of how to follow. Certainly this embrace of humility has been the outstanding quality of our most revered saints and respected world leaders. Of course, acting tough and throwing one's weight around can get the job done, too. But intimidation, though temporarily effective, is never wise in the long run. Jesus, in his infinite wisdom, showed us by the many ways he humbled himself--including being baptized--that in humility we draw strength. In meeting others where they live, we carry the most influence and instill not unquestioned loyalty but unswerving love. God pitched a tent among us and humbled himself even to death on a cross. There has never been a greater show of leadership than that.

Authors Patrice J. Tuohy

Leadership Humility Imitation role model

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Homily themes

19 Jul 2009 - Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

As king he shall reign and govern wisely. Jeremiah prophecies against “bad shepherds,” the kings who allowed Israel to go into exile. They did not protect the people, and let them scatter, prey to their enemies. In coming to their rescue, God will step in, become the good shepherd, and raise up a new, perfect king. God will send a savior, a messianic figure from the house of David who will regather the people in righteousness, justice, and safety. Christians, of course, translated this hope for a messiah into their beliefs about Jesus, who regathered the people of God. We as members of today’s church gather around him as the good shepherd and, like him, offer compassion, healing, service, teaching, and ministry. Homily points Many Christians find comfort in the image of God as the ultimate shepherd. Shepherds have long been symbols of good leadership: watchful, protective, and responsible. The Bible abounds with prominent shepherds, both good and bad. Jesus is the best shepherd to have between now and Judgment Day. The good shepherd can be known by the relationship between word and deed, and the consequence of real peace.

Authors Joel Schorn

Shepherd Leadership king

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