This coming July a blessed gathering of priests from around the country and other places will spend time in our archdiocese at the Cardinal Stritch Retreat House on the campus of St. Mary of the Lake University. These diocesan priests are experienced in following the inspiration and the writings of Blessed Charles de Faucould. They build the Jesus Caritas Fraternity for Priests by simply gathering once a month in small “fraternity groups” for prayer together and to support one another in living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the first time “The Month of Nazareth” will be taking place in the Chicago area. This month of prayerful reflection and living together will be an extended period of time to step back, evaluate and prioritize anew the principles and practices of the fraternity. It will be time and space for each priest to develop further skills in contemplative prayer and fulfill his desire to build stronger fraternal relationships with the priests he ministers with in his diocese. It is hoped that every fraternity member will attend a Month of Nazareth at least once. Brother priests often make it possible by covering the cost and supplying ministry so another brother may attend. During the third week of this month-long experience, a three- to four-day retreat is held so fraternity brothers and other priests may join. So from Tuesday afternoon, July 15 through lunch on Friday, July 19, Chicago priests are most welcome to meet and learn from those more experienced with the fraternity. This is a great opportunity of grace. Since more and more of our priests are now living alone and the demands of ministry never cease, perhaps priests of our parishes would benefit from this fraternity experience. Some may need encouragement from lay friends or clergy to spend a few summer days exploring ideas of intentional priesthood, deeper friendship and contemplative living. Perhaps some leadership may emerge and new prayer groups may begin here in Chicago. Surely a more personal love of Christ Jesus combined with a fraternal love of others will foster both a simplicity in living the Gospel and a preaching of the good news of Christ Risen and living in the midst of our relationships. More information about the Jesus Caritas Fraternity and registration for the July 15-19 retreat is available through the Jesus Caritas National Office, 333 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 1205, Chicago IL 60601; fax (312) 442-9709 or www.jesuscaritasusa.org. Priests are invited to contact Father Tom Dore or me for more questions or information.