Memo Date: May 31, 2016 To: All Priests From: Monsignor Jim Schillinger Director, Ongoing Formation of Priests Re: 2016 Provincial Assembly of Bishops and Priests

I am pleased to be sharing with you the attached three documents concerning the 2016 Provincial Assembly of Bishops and Priests. This year’s event will be held here in Atlanta, from August 22nd-24th, at the Downtown Hilton Hotel. You will find attached to this email a letter from myself and from Archbishop Gregory inviting and encouraging you to attend this important and one-of-a-kind gathering. Also included is the registration form with all the necessary information and instructions. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to seeing many of you in August.

May 15, 2016 My Dear Brother Priests, You are in my prayers as we celebrate this weekend the Solemnity of Pentecost. Our parish communities in every corner of Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina will gather to celebrate the life giving force of the Holy Spirit who gave birth to our Church and who sustains and guides us still. I am so grateful for each of you and for the work you do to build that Church.

As you know, our Provincial Assembly of Bishops and Priests has a long history. For many years this gathering provided opportunities for priests and bishops serving throughout the five dioceses to come together in order to promote our common mission. These were days set aside for prayer and study of various topics in theology, spirituality and pastoral ministry that were important to our ministry. But it was the time spent together at table and during breaks, time best described as priestly fraternity, that was perhaps the greatest accomplishment of those meetings. I am very pleased that the 2016 Provincial Assembly will be hosted by the Archdiocese of Atlanta from August 22-24. I want to invite every priest of our Archdiocese to attend this year’s gathering. We are extremely fortunate this year to have as our presenter Father Thomas Rosica, C.S.B. His talk, “The Franciscan Revolution: Where Is Pope Francis Leading the Church,” will be a timely and interesting reflection on our Holy Father and our ministry as priests. Father Rosica is a Basilian priest who became the founding C.E.O. of Salt and Light Television, Canada’s first national Catholic Television Network. He was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to the Pontifical Council for Social Communications and served as Media Attaché at four Synods of Bishops in 2008, 2012, 2014 and 2015. His accomplishments and contributions to the Church are far too extensive for me to list here. In June 2015 he was awarded the Clarion Award by the Catholic Academy of Communication Professionals in North America. They honored him as a “broadcaster, filmmaker, and Church spokesman whose portrayal of the Catholic Church brings the light of the Gospel to millions.” Father Rosica will be speaking to us about Pope Francis and his understanding of priesthood as well as his vision for the Church. I hope you will plan to be with us as we host this year's Assembly and welcome our

brother priests of the Province. Fraternally yours in Christ, Most Reverend Wilton D. Gregory Archbishop of Atlanta

May 18, 2016

Dear Father,

Along with those who serve with me on our Committee for the Ongoing Formation of Priests, I want to join Archbishop Gregory in inviting you to the 2016 Provincial

Assembly of Bishops and Priests to be held here in Atlanta, August 22-24. I am

hoping you will seriously consider taking the time to be part of what I am sure will be a truly memorable event. Father Tom Rosica is a dynamic and insightful speaker who

has been blessed these past several years to be at the very center of the Church's life. Having worked closely and extensively with Pope St. John Paul II, Benedict XVI and

now Francis, he stands eminently qualified to reflect on their respective ministries. I know you will be captivated as he speaks to us of the great gift we have in the person

of our current Holy Father. Treat yourself and come to Atlanta this August.

Please complete the attached registration form and send it, along with your check, to

the correct address. Note that the cost covers your registration fee, meals, breaks and hotel lodging in downtown Atlanta. There is also an adjusted fee for those who do not

plan to stay at the hotel. For priests serving in the Archdiocese of Atlanta, these costs are to be borne by your parish/ministry. If you have any difficulty in this regard,

please contact me personally.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Msgr. James A. Schillinger, S.T.L.

Director, Ongoing Formation of Priests

2016 Atlanta Province Assembly of Bishops and Priests August 22-24, 2016 · Hilton Atlanta Downtown

Presenter: Fr. Thomas Rosica, C.S.B. “The Franciscan Revolution: Where Is Pope Francis Leading the Church?”

Rev. Thomas Rosica, C.S.B. priest in the Congregation of St. Basil (Basilian Fathers) since

1986 and currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Salt and Light Catholic

Media Foundation. He was appointed by the Vatican as to English language media attache ́ for the Synods of Bishops of 2008, 2012, 2014 and 2015. During the 2013 Papal

Transition, Fr. Rosica served as English Language spokesperson for the Holy See Press

Office and continues to serve the Vatican Press Office as English language attaché in addition to his leadership of Salt and Light Television Network.

Monday – August 22

10 am Registration

2:00 pm Opening Prayer & Introductory Remarks

2:15-3:45 pm Session 1 6:00 pm Reception

Tuesday - August 23

7:30-9:00 am Breakfast

9:00 am Morning Prayer 9:15-10:45 am Session 2

12:00 pm Lunch in Hotel 2:00-3:30 pm Session 3

5:30 pm Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart

Reception to follow. Dinner on your own

Wednesday - August 24

7:30-9:00 am Breakfast

9:00 am Morning Prayer 9:15-10:45 am Session 4

10:45-11:30 am Closing Remarks/Prayer

Departure

Generous assistance and hospitality provided by Messner Publications.

The Conference will be held at the Hilton Atlanta Downtown, 55 Courtland St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303, 404-659-2000. Contact for Conference: Msgr. James

Schillinger – Director of Ongoing Formation of Priests – jschillinger@archatl.com –

404-931-7913.

Conference Registration Information – Registration and Hotel Fees $500 for single room; $350 for double. Fees cover 2 breakfasts and 1 lunch as listed in

schedule in addition to nightly room fee. Registration fee if not staying in hotel is $200. Conference form and fees deadline is July 15.

Full Name: (how it will appear on name tag) Title:

Address 1:

Address 2:

City: State/Zip:

Email: Phone:

Special Needs:

Mail this completed form along with your check payable to “Archdiocese of Atlanta.” To: Immaculate Heart of

Mary, ATTN: Jayna Hoffacker – Provincial Assembly, 2855 Briarcliff Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329. Questions

regarding registration may be directed to jhoffacker@archatl.com.