The National Institute for theWord of God

Historical Highlights from 1972 to 1999

1972

*The First National Conference on the Word of God celebrated from September 5­7, 1972 at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception ­ gives birth to The National Institute for the Word of God (NIWG) // founding board members: Father John Burke, OP and Mr. William Graham, Mr. Robert McChesney and Father Joseph Allen

*First meeting of NIWG Advisory Board held on November 9, 1972 at which founding statements and goals were defined 11 original Episcopal Advisory Board:

1973

*NIWG responsible for a section on biblical preaching in The Bible Today

*NIWG preaching parish renewals

1974

*NIWG sponsors Episcopalian­Roman Catholic Ecumenical Workshop, held at the headquarters of The Christophers in New York City

*Ecclesiastical permission obtained for the Institute prayer

*NIWG participates in regional proceedings of Catholic bishops on the subject of evangelization

1975

*Fr. Burke addresses the Third General Assembly of UNDA­USA, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to urge a "massive saturation of the airwaves"

*Fr. Burke delivers three evangelical broadcasts on the NBC radio series, Guideline

*Cardinal Krol appoints Fr. Burke as a member of the Spiritual Renewal & Preparation Committee for the 41st International Eucharistic Congress

*At the behest of NIWG, National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW) sponsors Bible Sharing as an official program of the Council

1976

*NIWG co­sponsors Chicago Conference on Homiletics with NCCB's Committee on Priestly Formation

1977

*NIWG sponsors the National Congress on Evangelization, celebrated August 26­28 in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Second National Congress on the Word of God)

*Congress emphasizes future and goals of NIWG in areas of existing workshops for clergy and rectors in preaching and liturgy as well as expansion of Bible Sharing programs

1978

*Gospel Power, by Fr. Burke, goes into second printing

1979

*The Archdiocese of Washington, DC asks NIWG to function as its official resource for the training of lectors

*Father John Burke, OP writes Bible Sharing: How to Grow in the Mystery of Christ, published by Alba House

1980

*Executive and Assistant Directors of NIWG see their 15th year of conducting workshops in preaching

*NIWG participates in the Second Annual National Catholic Lay Celebration of Evangelization in Washington, DC, August 21­23

1981, 1982

*NIWG co­sponsors the Third National Congress on the Word of God ­ Congress takes the form of a National Ecumenical Scriptural­Theological Symposium on Preaching in Atlanta, GA, December 28 - 29, 1982

1983

*The Pallotine Center for Apostolic Causes grants NIWG $40,000.00 to be given over a period of 2 years for operating expenses

*Father John Burke, OP edits and NIWG produces new book, A New Look at Preaching

1984

*NIWG pilgrimage to the Holy Land, March 10­24, 1984

*Father John Burke, OP publishes Beginners' Guide to Bible Sharing ­ Volume 1

1985

*NIWG expands its services to parishes by offering five new biblically­centered programs:

Introduction to the Bible, The Bible and the Sacraments, Eucharistic Evenings with the Word of God, The 'Post­Renew' Bible Sharing Program, and You Call the Shots

1986, 1987

*NIWG produces new book, The Homilist's Guide to Scripture, Theology and Canon Law, by Dominican Fathers John Burke and Thomas P. Doyle

1988, 1989

*Fr. Burke leads pilgrimage retracing the travels of St. Paul through Turkey and Greece from April 14 ­ May 1, 1989

*Members of Think Tank convene to develop the ideas and strategies formulated at their first meeting, December 20, 1989 ­­ Catholic Coalition on Preaching formed

1990

*Father Burke recognized by the Alumni of Catholic University of America for achievement in communication

*Father Burke returns to teaching of preaching at the Dominican House of Studies in D.C.

1991, 1992

*NIWG team celebrates 15 years of teaching Oral Interpretation of Scripture at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA

*Father Burke and Bill and Mary Graham begin a five year program of two week workshops at the North American College in Rome

1993

*Bill Graham retires from chairmanship in the Drama Department of The Catholic University of America after 4 l years to enter another stage in his career working with bishops, priests, and deacons in preaching and celebration laboratories conducted by NIWG throughout the country ­ a continuation of his work with the Institute since co­founding in 1972

*As a member organization, NIWG partially sponsors the CCOP National Conference on Sunday Preaching in Chicago

1994

*NIWG welcomes Bishop Patrick Cooney of Gaylord to the Episcopal Advisory Board and Father Paul Keller, OP as a new preacher on staff

1995

*Second NIWG pilgrimage "In the Steps of St. Paul" led by Frs. Allen and Burke

*Father John Burke, OP publishes Companion to the Prayer of Christians

1996

*Father Burke conducts six four­day workshops in preaching for the priests, catechists and seminarians of the Solomon Islands at the invitation of the Most Reverend Bernard O'Grady, OP, Bishop of Gizo

1997

*NIWG celebrates 25 years as CCOP celebrates Third National Conference on Preaching

1998

*NIWG Celebrates 25th Anniversary, Cincinnati, Ohio, September 22, 1997.

1999