First, I want to put into perspective what I have come to realize about the place of the RCC in the world today. I will not try to pretend that I have always had perfect discernment. I will not try to pretend that I have always been convinced that those in the RCC, including myself, have always operated in the spirit of what I am about to communicate to you. However, I will say that, collectively, I think we have done a superb job of spreading our message throughout so much of the world.

Right from my beginning in the RCC I started hearing about the New Pentecost of Catholicism. What does this mean? Are we simply a new Roman Catholic Church that is more inclusive? If that were true, we would be more of the same in a different way. We would be a Church of the same beliefs that simply let anyone in. This would rob inclusion of its importance. We would be the Roman Church centered in a new place. We would, in effect, be the "Columbus Catholic Church"!

The best way I have been able to describe this movement of the Holy Spirit is, "We are what should have been". For hundreds of years, Christendom has been ignoring its many fractures and sores, or at best  has been tending to these wounds as though they were minor, or would heal on their own if given time.

WE HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERING FIRST AID FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS. WE NEED SURGERY!

That said, is the RCC simply an "unsplit" East and West?  If so, you may ask "Well, Father, how do you justify the Anglican presence?". From the beginning of missionary efforts in the British Isles, it was clear that there was something different, something distinct. Augustine of Canterbury saw this immediately, and even went to the pope for advice about how ministry and liturgy should be done there. It was the holistic situation in Europe, especially war and politics, that allowed this distinction to give way to schism (the reformation influenced English Christianity after the split with Rome). Basically, the same type of rationale legitimizes the presence of all the Catholic traditions in the RCC. And I say God bless it! If Catholicism is to survive, then together is the only way. I guess I don't need to tell you which Catholic denomination is "together"!

This new way of being Catholic has needed a new kind of clergy and laity. I think we are meeting that challenge very well, given our growing, but limited resources. I am also grateful for the opportunity to devise another resource for our Communion. Over the next year, I will be working tirelessly to ready a new Seminary for its first Semester (Fall 2008)! The name of this Seminary is the Emergent School of Theology. It will be centered in the Anglican tradition, with it's focus on the Emerging Paradigm of Christian thought. Over the next months, I will be writing to you more about my thoughts on the Church in the 21st century, and the Emergent movement in Christianity.

There will be many totally new ideas about Theological education that will be put into practice at EST. One of the central innovations is our flexible degree tracks. More on that later.

One of the things I am most excited about is the way EST and Sacred Heart will show how Clergy and Laity can bring what they learned in Seminary back to the parish. In addition, it will be the first place where the Holy Eucharist, Emergent Rite will be taught in Liturgics classes (along with other Rites). This is a new Rite which is beginning its public use tomorrow at Sacred Heart AC. Hopefully, the environment created by Sacred Heart and EST will be the catalyst that produces a new Book of Common Prayer for RCC Anglicans!

I will make it known when there are opportunities for many of you to be involved in EST as "test students", real students, even faculty. Meanwhile, I invite your ideas, concerns, questions etc.

Blessings,

Michael+ OP