Along with his pastoral duties in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, Fr. Norbert Maduzia also serves as the President of NOCERCC (National Organization for Continuing Education of Roman Catholic Clergy).  He is scheduled to Good Leaders, Good Shepherds training in August of 2009. 

The responsibility of my first pastorate was to merge two parishes into one community. After long and sometimes grueling days, I would head to the rectory in order to “veg out” watching re-runs of “I Love Lucy.” Something about those black and white sitcoms filled with simple gags and laughter, would soothe away the problems of the day. In one episode, Lucy pretended to have amnesia. She came out in a dramatic fashion, leaned against the fireplace with her hand to her forehead asking the questions: “Who am I? Where am I? What am I?”

In the midst of closing parishes, a capital campaign, designing and building a new parish church, along with all the “regular” pastoral responsibilities, I found myself on more than one occasion asking those same questions: “Who am I? Where am I? What am I?” I was never taught parish management nor church construction in the seminary. But, if the Ricardos and the Mertzes could get along despite their differences, then certainly, with God’s help, I could pull this off.

The black and white decision making of a rookie pastor has now given way to the complexity of pastoring a parish six times the size. A farming and ranching community has given way to highly educated professionals. Within the Archdiocese, I co-chair the Ongoing Formation of Priests Committee, I am a member of the Building Commission and lead various liturgical workshops, all while serving as President of NOCERCC . Yes, my life is now in living technicolor! More than ever I ask myself those same questions: Who am I? Where am I What am I? Through the first two modules of Good Leaders, Good Shepherds (GLGS) I have come to know my DISCposition, my values, my point of view and my persona and thus better understand myself as a leader and shepherd. Knowing not only who I am, but better understanding others, makes for effective leadership.

The first cohort of priests in Galveston-Houston has completed the third module of GLGS training. It has been a great experience and is renewing a sense of camaraderie and fraternity. It is evident that down the road we will have a greater confidence and trust in each other and therefore be better pastors and leaders within the Archdiocese.

As president of NOCERCC I know that Good Leaders, Good Shepherds is spreading and is becoming the answer to a leadership model for the Church. As bishops continue to see the need for more priests, they also see the need for priests who will shepherd after the heart of Jesus. Because of GLGS the fraternity of the priesthood is being strengthened, the Church is being strengthened and the Kingdom of God is being realized in our midst.