The Diocese of Rochester has received a national honor recognizing its Priests’ Council.
A Council Achievement Award was presented by Father Robert J. Silva, president of the National Federation of Priests’ Councils, during it’s annual convention held April 19-22 in Atlanta. Accepting on behalf of the diocese was Father Douglas Della Pietra, pastor of Church of the Good Shepherd in Henrietta.
Award criteria include frequency of meetings; shared governance; participation; and perceived effectiveness. According to a citation issued by the council, “Bishop Matthew H. Clark has made the Rochester council a priority. He is present for the entirety of every monthly meeting. He also meets the following day with council’s executive committee to prepare for the following month’s meeting. A dynamic of trust and openness marks the Rochester council. The bishop expects that input not only summarize a region’s thinking, but that council members develop an informed perspective or opinion on that thinking.”
