Archbishop Bernard Hebda recently joined “Practicing Catholic” radio show host Patrick Conley to discuss the 2023 presbyteral assembly, a multi-day conference where priests from across the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis gather for reflection, prayer and fellowship. And there’s always a teaching component, Archbishop Hebda said, this year led by Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, Bishop Daniel Felton of Duluth and Bishop Chad Zielinski of New Ulm.
“They’re all speaking to us about the importance of the Eucharist in the life of a priest, and giving us new insights into that, which I think is really helpful from three very different perspectives,” Archbishop Hebda said.
This year’s assembly, a biennial event, took place in Winona, at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.
Besides the education, “just to be able to be with brother priests is always so refreshing,” Archbishop Hebda said. Planning for this event allows for “a heavy emphasis on fraternity, so there’s plenty of time for us to get to talk to one another at meals and plenty of opportunity, even just walks on campus,” he said. Attendees also celebrate those with significant anniversaries “and we get to hear perspectives of different priests,” he said.
Archbishop Hebda said he hopes assembly attendees take home a commitment to continuing education and “to recognize that in the many responsibilities that the Church asks these men to carry, that they’re never alone in two ways:” they have so many brothers — bishops or brother priests — willing to walk with them, and “as we reflect on the Eucharist in the life of a priest, knowing that Jesus is always present in our ministry.” Priests have “the great privilege” of acting in the very person of Christ, Archbishop Hebda said.
“I know that we keep expecting more and more from our priests, and we hear that in particular from our young priests,” Archbishop Hebda said. “But if we’re able to contextualize it and remind all of them that they’re not alone, I think that’s very helpful to them in accepting those responsibilities.”
To hear the full interview, listen to this episode of “Practicing Catholic,” which debuts at 9 p.m. June 23 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM and repeats at 1 p.m. June 24 and 2 p.m. June 25.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes an interview with Jesuit Father Joe Laramie, author, national preacher for the Eucharistic Revival and a speaker at the June 24 “Hearts on Fire” retreat at the University of St. Thomas, who discusses his special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus; and Tizoc Rosales, director of advancement at The Saint Paul Seminary, who describes his new role and the importance of advancement to various seminary programs.
Listen to interviews after they have aired at PracticingCatholicShow.com or choose a streaming platform at anchor.fm/practicing-catholic-show.
