The Australian Confraternity of Catholic Clergy

National Conference 2024

Dates
Monday 19th to Friday 23rd August 2024
Conference Venue
‘The Monastery’, 15 Cross Rd, Adelaide SA

Early Bird Discount
Ends 30th April
Registrations Close
12th August

An Invitation from the ACCC Chairman

My Lords, Fathers and Deacons,

It is my pleasure to announce our National Conference for 2024. Our annual conferences are important opportunities for clergy to gather for prayer, formation and fraternity. This year our Conference will be held from Monday 19th to Friday 23rd August 2024 in Adelaide, South Australia.

This year we are privileged to welcome Father Stephen Wang as our keynote speaker. Father Wang is the rector of the Venerable English College in Rome, and is known for his work in catechetics and evangelisation. Joining Fr Wang, we also look forward to welcoming Professor Renée Köhler-Ryan from the University of Notre Dame and Bishop Richard Umbers in his capacity as Bishops’ delegate for the International Eucharistic Congress. 

Our Conference will be hosted in the beautiful setting of ‘The Monastery’ of the Passionist Community, located a short drive from the CBD and just by the eastern entry to Adelaide via the Duke/Princes Highway. Suitable accommodation has been arranged at the Terrace Hotel on the southern edge of the CBD. A shuttle will run attendees between the accommodation and the conference. 

The Confraternity’s 2024 Annual Conference promises to be a time of much-needed renewal. I look forward to seeing you there.

In Christ,

Fr Gregory Bellamy
Chairman, Australian Confraternity of Catholic Clergy

Fr Stephen Wang | Keynote

Rector, Venerable English College, Rome

Fr Stephen Wang is a priest of the Diocese of Westminster and rector of the Venerable English College, Rome. He has a PhD from Cambridge having written on the subject of human happiness. Fr Wang was Dean of Studies at Allen Hall where he also taught Philosophy and Theology. He has been Senior University Chaplain within the Diocese of Westminster, chaplain to the London School of Economics, and Vocations Director. Fr Wang is well known for his work in catechetics including published works for the Catholic Truth Society and notably the very popular film series ‘Sycamore’. 

Fr Wang will present three lectures and will also be invited to preach during the celebration of Conference Liturgies.

“Faith comes from what is heard”: Confronting the evangelical silence of many Catholic communities.” We have had two thousand years of Christian mission, and decades of prophetic teaching about evangelisation from Pope St Paul VI to Pope Francis. But many Catholic communities are still completely stuck when it comes to proclaiming the Gospel, sharing their faith, and inviting others to know the Lord and his Church. What are the real sticking points? What can actually make a difference?

“Do not let your hearts be troubled”: Antidotes to priestly discouragement.” Many priests today are weary, discouraged, and tempted to lose heart. The external pressures on them are enormous, and the interior challenges are equally significant. What are the causes and consequences of these struggles? What light can the Scriptures and Catholic history shed on them? What could a renewal of priestly life look like today?

The title and summary of the third talk is yet to be finalised.

Fr Stephen Wang | Keynote

Rector, Venerable English College, Rome

Fr Stephen Wang is a priest of the Diocese of Westminster and rector of the Venerable English College, Rome. He has a PhD from Cambridge having written on the subject of human happiness. Fr Wang was Dean of Studies at Allen Hall where he also taught Philosophy and Theology. He has been Senior University Chaplain within the Diocese of Westminster, chaplain to the London School of Economics, and Vocations Director. Fr Wang is well known for his work in catechetics including published works for the Catholic Truth Society and notably the very popular film series ‘Sycamore’. 

Fr Wang will present three lectures and will also be invited to preach during the celebration of Conference Liturgies.

“Faith comes from what is heard”: Confronting the evangelical silence of many Catholic communities.” We have had two thousand years of Christian mission, and decades of prophetic teaching about evangelisation from Pope St Paul VI to Pope Francis. But many Catholic communities are still completely stuck when it comes to proclaiming the Gospel, sharing their faith, and inviting others to know the Lord and his Church. What are the real sticking points? What can actually make a difference?

“Do not let your hearts be troubled”: Antidotes to priestly discouragement.” Many priests today are weary, discouraged, and tempted to lose heart. The external pressures on them are enormous, and the interior challenges are equally significant. What are the causes and consequences of these struggles? What light can the Scriptures and Catholic history shed on them? What could a renewal of priestly life look like today?

The title and summary of the third talk is yet to be finalised.

Prof. Renée Köhler-Ryan | Presenter

Notre Dame University, Sydney

Professor Renée Köhler-Ryan has been with Notre Dame University since 2011 and has a PhD in Philosophy. She teaches courses on the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, Aesthetics, Philosophy of the Human Person, and Political Philosophy, and is a published author. Professor Köhler-Ryan is a delegate at the Synod on Synodality. Drawing upon her studies in philosophy and of Ratzinger, she will deliver two lectures. The first of her presentations, “Does Modernity ever End?”, will look at the main ideas that come from modern philosophy, including individualism, autonomy, progress, and revolution. The second, “True Beauty is Ancient and New”, will work with the ideas of St. Augustine and Pope Benedict XVI, to discuss how the “way of beauty” will always be a powerful way to respond to God’s call.

Bishop Richard Umbers | Presenter

Bishops’ Delegate for the International Eucharistic Congress

Bishop Richard Umbers is an Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Sydney. He is currently the Bishops’ delegate for the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) and he is instrumental in the Archdiocese of Sydney’s bid to host the IEC in 2028. This would mark the 100th Anniversary of the previous IEC in Sydney in 1928. The main reasons  for holding the IEC are to deepen the understanding and appreciation of the Eucharist among Catholics, to re-discover the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and to invite the faithful to come back to Sunday worship. In August he will be freshly returned from the US National Eucharistic Congress marking the conclusion of their three-year Eucharistic revival and he will be preparing for the IEC in Ecuador in September. Bishop Umbers will present on the plans to host the IEC in Sydney and will be well placed to speak about efforts to restore Eucharistic faith and devotion.

Bishop Richard Umbers | Presenter

Bishops’ Delegate for the International Eucharistic Congress

Bishop Richard Umbers is an Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Sydney. He is currently the Bishops’ delegate for the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) and he is instrumental in the Archdiocese of Sydney’s bid to host the IEC in 2028. This would mark the 100th Anniversary of the previous IEC in Sydney in 1928. The main reasons  for holding the IEC are to deepen the understanding and appreciation of the Eucharist among Catholics, to re-discover the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and to invite the faithful to come back to Sunday worship. In August he will be freshly returned from the US National Eucharistic Congress marking the conclusion of their three-year Eucharistic revival and he will be preparing for the IEC in Ecuador in September. Bishop Umbers will present on the plans to host the IEC in Sydney and will be well placed to speak about efforts to restore Eucharistic faith and devotion.

Conference Venue

The Monastery Function Centre
15 Cross Rd, Urrbrae SA

This year’s Conference will be held in the beautiful grounds of the Monastery Function Centre. Adminstered by the Passionist Community, the Monastery is located a short drive from the CBD and is just by the eastern entry to Adelaide via the Duke/Princes Highway. 

Lunch and Dinner each day will be well provided for by the Centre’s catering team, with the exception of the Conference Dinner on Thursday. The tranquil gardens will also be open for times of quiet prayer and reflection.

Conference Venue

The Monastery Function Centre
15 Cross Rd, Urrbrae SA

This year’s Conference will be held in the beautiful grounds of the Monastery Function Centre. Adminstered by the Passionist Community, the Monastery is located a short drive from the CBD and is just by the eastern entry to Adelaide via the Duke/Princes Highway. 

Lunch and Dinner each day will be well provided for by the Centre’s catering team, with the exception of the Conference Dinner on Thursday. The tranquil gardens will also be open for times of quiet prayer and reflection.

Accommodation

The Terrace Hotel
208 South Terrace, Adelaide SA

Accommodation for the ACCC’s 2024 National Conference will be provided by The Terrace Hotel, Adelaide. All rooms are ensuited and are styled for comfort. A daily full buffet breakfast at Terrace’s on-site restaurant is included in your conference registration fee. Also included in your registration fee is access to shuttle bus to run you to and from the conference venue each day.

Conference Dinner

Conference Dinner: Altavilla Irpina Sports and Social Club
281 The Parade, Beulah Park, SA

The Annual Conference Dinner will be held on the Thursday evening at the Altavilla Iprina Sports and Social Club.

The Conference Dinner is included in the ‘Clergy: Single, Twin Share & Non-Residential’ as well as the ‘Seminarian’ registrations. It is also open to members who cannot attend the Conference or who are registering for a ‘Single Day Pass’. In this case they will need to purchase the ‘Conference Dinner’ ticket.

Conference Dinner

Conference Dinner: Altavilla Irpina Sports and Social Club
281 The Parade, Beulah Park, SA

The Annual Conference Dinner will be held on the Thursday evening at the Altavilla Iprina Sports and Social Club.

The Conference Dinner is included in the ‘Clergy: Single, Twin Share & Non-Residential’ as well as the ‘Seminarian’ registrations. It is also open to members who cannot attend the Conference or who are registering for a ‘Single Day Pass’. In this case they will need to purchase the ‘Conference Dinner’ ticket.

Sacred Liturgy

St Paul’s Church, ‘The Monastery’
15 Cross Road, Urrbrae SA

We are blessed to have access to the beautiful St Paul’s Church within the Monastery grounds for this year’s Conference liturgies.

Each day of the conference is structered around the solemn celebration of Mass and the Liturgy of Hours, as well as including opportunities for Adoration and Confession.

ACCC Conference 2024 Registration Fees & Information

Early bird discount ends 30 April
Registrations close 12 August

Early-bird price (Until 30 April)Regular price (After 30 April)
ClergySingle Room
Twin Share
Non-Residential Clergy
$1200
$900
$750
$1300
$1000
$850
Transitional DeaconsTwin Share$100$100
SeminariansTwin Share$100$100
Day RatesFull Day
Conference Dinner Only
$150
$100
$150
$100

Rural Clergy: In recognition of the additional travel costs faced by isolated clergy from rural Dioceses, a rebate of $200 is available on application. If you live and work outside a metropolitan area and would like to apply, please email Carmel Negline at secratariat@clergy.asn.au. Privacy will be respected.

Professional Standards Clearance
This year’s conference will take place in the Archdiocese of Adelaide. Clergy, Religious and Seminarians visiting the Archdiocese from interstate will require a professional standards clearance. Application for Professional Standards Clearance to Adelaide Archdiocese can be made online at https://adelaide.catholic.org.au/our-people/clergy-religious-visitations-and-appointments/visitations-from-interstate
Once you have received the clearance, please forward it to Carmel Negline here.
Transport
Attendees are required to organise their own transport to and from Adelaide. The ACCC will not be facilitating any transportation. However, for those purchasing a ‘Clergy Single Room’, ‘Twin Share’ or ‘Seminarian Twin Share’ option, a shuttle bus between our accommodation at the Terrace Hotel and the Conference Venue is included in your registration.
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting for the Confraternity will be held during the Conference. In order to attend the AGM, you must be a paid member of the Confraternity. You can check your membership status by contacting Carmel Negline. To become a member or renew your membership, please visit our website: www.clergy.asn.au/membership.