MIAMI | Evangelization, enunciation and young people: That�s mainly what archdiocesan priests spoke about during this year�s convocation, Sept. 16-18.

The gathering brought together all priests in active ministry � nearly 300 � for two days of reflection, relaxation and camaraderie with each other and Archbishop Thomas Wenski.

One of the speakers was Robert McCarty, executive director of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry and author of a number of books, including his most recent, �Raising Happy, Healthy and Holy Teenagers: A Primer for Parents.� He spoke about the real lives of young people today and what it takes to get them to stay in the Church.

The priests also heard from Steve Colella, director of the archdiocese�s newly-created Secretariat for Parish Life and Evangelization, who spoke about his role and plans for the office.

They also got tips on �the 10 greatest communication habits� from an expert in the field, Antonia Johnson. She is president and founder of Denver-based Clear Talk Mastery, and has a connection to Miami: Her brother is David Lawrence, former publisher of The Miami Herald and currently president of The Early Childhood Initiative Foundation.

For about a year now, Johnson and her company have been working with a group of archdiocesan priests to help them reduce their accents. �Not only (those who speak) English as a second language but also accented English � Irish English, Indian English,� she explained during a break in the sessions.

Her company, based in Boulder, Colo., normally offers 12-week courses, but �we adjust it to the needs of the priests. Priests typically take longer� because of their extremely busy schedules, Johnson said.

About 20 priests, mostly Hispanics, are currently enrolled; 10 of them have completed the first course and are working on a second one. �We know what a good level is to get to so we continue to urge people to get there,� Johnson said.

Her students meet with their coaches via Skype after taking a test that assesses their level of fluency in the spoken language.

�I couldn�t work with people down here in this fashion without the Internet,� said Johnson. �That�s the beauty of Skype. You can see what the other person is doing and give them direct feedback.�

But the topic of her talk to priests was �what to do� in terms of speaking habits that ensure great communication.

�Native born people have difficulties� with that, too, she noted. And while good communication is important in any profession, �with priests it�s incredibly important,� she said. �The outcome, the goal, is so big when you�re talking God.�