The Annual Diocesan Clergy Conference on the topic of “Ministry to the Elderly” convened on Thursday, 5 September in Clifton NJ. Over thirty priests gathered with Bishop Michael at Assumption of the Virgin Church for the conference which provided seven continuing education hours accredited as part of the OCA Continuing Clergy Development program. The facilitator was Matushka Natalie Stavrevsky BSN, RN, MBA (Senior Director of Nursing & Resident Care Services; Unity Health System, Rochester NY).

Topics discussed during the conference were: aging population demographics, aging parish populations, overcoming the fear of growing old, understanding Alzheimer’s disease, needs and pastoral concerns specific to an aging population, appropriate levels of care, advanced directives, offering help and referral services, and ways to delay the effects of dementia.

Since becoming the diocesan hierarch, Bishop Michael has blessed and provided an annual opportunity for the clergy of the diocese to assemble in priestly brotherhood and fellowship. Each year, a topic of pastoral concern is addressed and discussed while, at the same time, His Grace is given a forum to speak with the clergy about matters and concerns effecting the life and well-being of the parishes throughout the diocese.

As an initiative created to support priests and their parishes, the conference receives much-needed funding thanks to the generosity of the Distinguished Diocesan Benefactors.

To learn more about the Distinguished Diocesan Benefactors program, please visit the “Vision for Future” section of this website. Go HERE!

The news release announcing the conference is available HERE.