Father Knott is a priest of the Archdiocese of Louisville, director of the Institute for Priests and Presbyterates at St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana, and author of several books on priestly life and ministry. His theme for the day was “The Powerful Spiritual Leadership of Our Priesthood.”

Father Knott told the priests that Catholic faithful need them to claim their three ministries of preaching, sacramental prayer, and spiritual leadership within the parish. He also stressed the teaching of Pope John Paul II that the work of priests is never that of “lone rangers,” but always a corporate work which demands the practice of cooperation with other priests in all their ministries.

Father Joe Ring, director of Clergy Services for the diocese, said, “The gathering of the priests during Lent is an annual event, and with this year being the Year of the Priest, we were fortunate to have Father Knott help us reflect on this critical spiritual dimension of our priesthood, the radical cooperative nature of the priesthood in building up the church.”

Father Richard Chiola, director of Ongoing Formation for Clergy, said, “Father Knott has spoken in 70 dioceses and will speak this June at the semiannual bishops’ meeting on the unity of priestly ministry. His presentations are critically important for us as priests, especially as we prepare to welcome and work in unity with a new bishop.”

The priests also heard about upcoming diocesan and clergy events in preparation for implementing the new English translation of the Roman Missal, 3rd edition. Priests in the diocese will have several opportunities over the next two years to learn how to implement the changes in the Mass that will begin perhaps as soon as December 2011.