Summer 2007 Mission Update Newsletter - Catholic Mission Association

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voices with those of manyothers calling for radicalchange in human behavior.Addressing climate change ismost fundamentally a moral

and spiritual issue. We seemany signs indicating thatpeople are becoming aware ofthe impact human actions arehaving on global climate, theneed to take immediate stepsto mitigate the effects of theseactions, the urgency of find-ing alternatives to destructive behaviors, and the necessityof developing adaptations tothe inescapable impact ofglobal climate change.

Work is being done aroundthe world by differentMaryknoll missioners. Fr.Frank Higdon, in Joao Pessoa,Brazil, serves with theChurchs Pastoral Land Com-mission for the protection ofthe rain forest and indigenouspeoples rights. Sr. MargaritaJamias in Baguio, Philippinesmodels a zero waste projectand teaches neighborhoodshow to create and implement

recycling centers. Lay Mis-sioner Phil Dahl-Bredineworks in Oaxaca, Mexico inthe Farmer-to-Farmer pro-gram for sustainable agricul-ture and watershed recoveryand preservation.

Sisters Noreen McCarthy andRachel Kunkler direct an in-

Changing the Climate on Climate Change: A Mission Perspective

Mission Update

Our IHM community consid-ers sustainability a moralmandate for the 21st century.Our growing ecological con-sciousness places all humansin interdependent relation-ships to one another and to alllife on the planet (fromMission for the Millennium:The Sustainable Renovation

of the Motherhouse of the

Sisters, Servants of the Im-maculate Heart of Mary,

Monroe, Michigan). Thesisters did not simply write anice document. Knowingtheir motherhouse needed arenovation, they took that

need as an opportunity and achallenge. Our communitywas inspired, through learningand prayer, to renovate ourhome and to renew our cam-pus and our lives in ways thatexpress our commitment tosustainable living.

The result of their discern-ment is a vision for their 280-acre Monroe, Michigan cam- pus as a learning laboratoryfor living sustainably. Fol-lowing the three Rs Re-duce, Re-use and Recycle the sisters salvaged what theycould from the existing build-ing to use in the renovatedspace and learned how toreduce their impact on theenvironment. (To learn moreand see photos go towww.ihmsisters.org)

The Maryknoll Office forGlobal Concerns has identi-fied global climate change asa current critical challenge.In Global Climate Change:The most critical challenge inthe 21st century, the Officeoffers some reflections. As peop l e o f f a i t h we[Maryknoll] wish to join our

In This Issue

Changing the Climate... 1

From the Director 2

From the President 2

Mission Stories 6

Gods Asian Tapestry Center

Maryknoll Study Program 14

What USCMA Members are

saying

15

Book Reviews

Conference Brochure 17

Missiology Meetings

What the Church can

learn...

18

Receive MISSION UPDATE

Electronically.

18

Resources & Upcoming

Events

19

Orbis Books 19

New Presidency of Pax

Christi International

14

Name That Country 14

We Pray

that , aware of their own

missionary duty,

all Christians may

actively help

all those

engaged in the

evangelization of

peoples.

Benedict XVI

Uni t ed S ta t esCa tho l i c M i s s ion Assoc ia t i on

Summer 2007

Volume 16, Issue 2

contd on p. 3

US Catholic Mission Association

1 Forest devastation in Brazil


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From the President of the Board:Sr. Mary McGlone, CSJ

USCMA StaffRev. Michael Montoya, MJ, Executive Director

Ms. Charlotte Cook, Associate Director

Sr. Anne Louise Von Hoene, MMS, Accountant

Sr. Michael Theresa Brauer, SND de N, Administrative Assistant

Questions/Comments re: Meetings & Conferences [email protected]

Questions/Comments re: Mission Update / Current Topics [email protected]

E-Mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.uscatholicmission.org

Page 2

Mission Update

Stop presenting yourselves as non-profit. Name your impact! This message has beenrepeated time and time again by Tom Suddes

of the For Impact Group. Our impact, ourvision is what people will be drawn into.Their willingness to be part of and be cham-

pions of the association is determined by thegroups impact to effect change and trans-form lives. Youre in sales, get over it! Theway we present ourselves, how we name ourvision, and how we invite people to be part ofthat naming and visioning is important for

any organization.

At the beginning of our 25th year, we repeat-edly said, We are USCMA! USCMA is us!USCMA is not simply a national office, but

an association of members the missioners!Because of which, USCMA can claim thatwe give face to what mission is in the USCatholic Church. We give skin to US Catho-lic mission. We are the flesh and blood of US

Catholic mission and global solidarity!

It has taken awhile for this claim to sink in.USCMA is us, you and I, flesh and blood.We are missioners and we participate inGods mission! Our experiences, our stories,together with the stories of those we journeywith in our mission response, give face tomission and how we as US Catholics partici-

pate in that mission. Our lives as missionersand the lives of the people we encounter givelife to US Catholic mission. We celebrate thismission identity and accept the challenge and

responsibilities that come with the claim.

As USCMA members, there are 3 things wecan do. First, be an advocate for USCMAand its projects whether you are a memberof a religious community, a director of Di-ocesan mission office, a member of a laymission group, a leader in the parish, some-one connected to your school, a student, a

professional, or retired. As part of the fleshand blood of USCMA, your personal advo-

cacy for USCMA helps the association toachieve its goals. Second, invite others to

participate and be part of the organization.Person to person invitation is always the bestform of invitation. Your own story and yourown commitment to mission are the best adfor USCMA. Third, make a commensuratecontribution to USCMA. Your commitmentto mission and to USCMA speaks volumes.We ask that your contribution be commensu-rate to that commitment and to the impor-tance you think USCMA plays in the wholemission enterprise of the US Church.

Dear Friends in USCMA,

Happy Summer or Winter Days dependingwhich part of our globe you inhabit. As Iwrite this, no matter where we live, we are

into the second half of the year, still celebrat-ing our 25th anniversary.

As you can see from the publicity we havesent out, with the speakers who accepted ourinvitation, our October Mission Conference

promises to be one of our best ever. All is in place with the hotel, meals, input, and proc-ess. In other words, our staff has done their

job. BUT

As we move into our second quarter-century,we need your creative help. The seasonedmissioners know how much our mission

scene has changed. Before long, the majorityof people involved in mission will be whatwe now might call non-traditional: part-time, lay, young, retired, volunteer Allfaithful people who are generously giving ofthemselves and reaping uncounted rewards asthey build up our Church. USCMA needs torespond to these folks, to give them a largerforum in which to share their stories andlearn from others. The only way we can do it

is with your help.

So, now in the middle of the season of mis-sion appeals, I am going to make a strong

appeal to you. Please, look for the new-stylemissioners you know and are working withand encourage them to join us. It is only aswe get more of them involved that we can betrue to our name as theU.S.Catholic MissionAssociation. Please,set a goal for yourself toinvite at least 5 new participants and to be

sure that you get at least one to the Mission

Conference. Thats the tithe I am asking

from you as members.

May God Bless us all as we do all we can tocontinue the mission of Jesus in our time and

place.

In this issue of the Mission Update, you willsee the last of the series of comments that you,as members, are saying about USCMA. I amsure that more pages can be added. We wantthose messages to reach the ears of thosewhom you think should be part of USCMA.The challenge and responsibility to put mis-sion on the agenda of the Church is in our

hands.

If you have not done so yet, do register to participate in our upcoming Annual MissionConference, which will be held in Austin,Texas on October 26-28, 2007. The theme Are not our hearts burning? Spirituality ofMission in the 21st Century, hopes to engageand deepen our own spirituality of mission,and promote a spirituality that is relevant tothe varied contexts of our missionary work.We are happy to have two world renownedspeakers/authors/theologians to give the key-notes (Ron Rolheiser and Gerald Arbuckle),

together with 15 other speakers that will be part of the panel and Dialogue Sessions. Formore information, feel free to visit our websitewww.uscatholicmission.org or call us at 202-

832-3112.

Meanwhile, enjoy reading the Mission Update.The lead article Changing the Climate onGlobal Climate Change gives us a hopefullook at what could be an overwhelming prob-lem of global climate change. Our missionersare once again leading the way through inno-vative, creative, and faith-filled responses to

the challenge.

The Periodic Paperis a reflection of JamesKroeger, MM on the first Asian Mission Con-gress held last year in Chiang Mai, Thailand.The focus on telling the story of Jesus in Asiathat engages the stories of the people is indeedas John Paul II has said an evocative peda-gogy (EA 20g) that while so characteristic ofAsian methodology in teaching can truly in-

form our approaches to mission.

May the blessings of these summer monthswarm your hearts and keep enkindling the

passion for Gods mission in your hearts!

Summer 2007


From the Executive Director

Rev. Michael Montoya, MJ


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termediate technology education center for alternative meth-ods of securing water and generating electricity in, Iringa,Tanzania. Sr. Jocelyn Fenix uses her skill as a medical doc-tor to help people find and cultivate medicinal plants andgives workshops on organic agriculture as her ministry inDarien, Panama. Lay Missioner Maruja Gutmann-Gonzalez

in Vilches, Bolivia, teaches at the Center for Spirituality con-necting Earth, health and spirituality.

Sisters Janet Miller and Doreen Longres, working atMaryknoll, NY, facilitated the drafting of the Maryknoll Sis-ters Land Ethic and are engaged in implementing earth-friendly, environmentally sustainable practices at theMaryknoll Sisters Center. Sr. Aurelia Atencio in the Prela-ture of Juli, Peru, works with indigenous farmers in organicfarming to create a seed bank. Fr. Herb Gappa spent morethan 20 years inspiring his parishioners in Bariadi, Tanzaniain the work of preserving and enhancing the forest watershedand Bariadi River.

We see with our own eyes that poor people in our countryand in poor countries often lack the resources and capacity toadapt and avoid the negative consequences of climatechange. Their lives, homes, children and work are most atrisk. John Carr, Secretary of the USCCB Department ofSocial Development and World Peace testified at a Senatehearing in early June about the human costs of climatechange.

A number of Medical Mission Sisters in England are activelyengaged in campaigning mostly along the lines of two or-ganizations, The Campaign Against Climate Change and

Stop Climate Chaos. Both have held rallies and have en-couraged petitions and postcards to the Prime Minister.

Sr. Daphne Norden, MMS belongs to the World Develop-ment movement and is actively campaigning against climatechange. Four Medical Mission Sisters in England visit par-ishes in all parts of the country for mission promotion and aspart of their talks they encourage parishioners to become partof these campaigns, because the worst effects are alwaysfelt by people living in poverty with whom we are workingin some of the poorest countries of the world. The sistersalso promote the participation of parishes in becoming eco-congregations.

Sean McDonagh, a Columban missionary priest spoke inWashington, DC at a discussion on climate change in May2007. Part of his challenge to participants was to developGod-talk about the environment: evolve a theology, spiritu-ality and missiology which is sensitive to the presence ofGod in the natural world. Fr. McDonagh has researchedand written many books and articles on climate change since

his years working in the Philippines.

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contd on page 4

Summer 2007Mission Update


We need to address the human costs of climate change and envi-ronmental degradation in terms of their impact on health, educa-tion and access. The increasing incidence of natural disasters withenvironmental causes calls for a need to strengthen the links be-tween environmental and humanitarian activities, stressedArchbishop Celestino Migliore, Permanent Observer of the HolySee to the United Nations, speaking in Columbus, OH in April

2007.

At its core, global climate change is not about economic theoryor political platforms, nor about partisan advantage or interestgroup pressures. It is about the future of Gods creation and theone human family. It is about protecting both the human envi-ronment and the natural environment. It is about our humanstewardship and our responsibility to those who come afterus. (Faithful Stewards of Gods Creation: a Catholic Resource

for Environmental Justice and Climate Change, USCCB, 2007)

Resource Ideas

Fr. Sean McDonagh insists that both learning about and taking

care of our planet can and should be fun and rewarding! We have

contd from page 1


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listed below just a few resource ideas that can be used by indi-viduals, families, teachers, religious communities, and churchcongregations.

Faithful Stewards of Gods Creation: a Catholic Resource for Environmental Justice and Climate Change, USCCB, 2007includes a wealth of prayers, worship hints, preaching ideas

and personal actions, aswell as, a CD-ROM. Cop-ies are available for sale inE n g l i s h a t h t t p : / /www.usccbpublishing.org/searchproducts.cfm. Asmaller version in Spanish,Cambio Climtico Globalis also available at the samewebsite.

Composting is something

that individuals, families,schools, community groupscan do even with just asmall space. Not only doescomposting cut down on a

significant amount of municipal solid waste, the end result hasmany benefits for the environment. For information on how tocompost, check the EPA website: http://epa.gov/compost.

Instead of sending flowers or other memorial gifts, plant a treein the memory of a loved one. Read Leaf a Legacy, Plant aTree online at www.thegreenguide.com/blog/lighten-up.

The documentary of Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth contin-ues to be a good resource for discussion groups at home, atschool and at church. It is available on DVD.

Penguins on Thin Ice uses music to share both inspirationand scientific information about global climate change andwhat people can do to help curb its effects.

Go to www.penguinsonthinice.com.

The Environmental Protection Agencys website http://epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/ lists Action Steps that one can do

in various situations including at home, school, in the officeand on the road. The EPA also has free instructional materialsthat are fun and educational for children. For more information,go to http://epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/ORWKit.html.

The Green Guideprovides a wealth of information on many

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Mission Update Summer 2007

aspects of living green including gift buying, lawn care, house-cleaning products and such. They have a checklist one can useto determine carbon emissions and actions to reduce them. Itseasy, its fun, its helpful.

Go to http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/119/calculator#.

It is also possible to receive weekly e-newsletters from TheGreen Guide that are easy to read and understand and store forfuture reference. Their website is www.thegreenguide.com.

Regeneration Project helps to deepen the connection betweenecology and faith. Their Interfaith Power and Light campaign ismobilizing a religious response to global warming in congrega-tions through the promotion of renewable energy, energy effi-ciency, and conservation. To learn more about Interfaith Powerand Light programs in the US andhow to become an affiliate ofan Interfaith Power & Light program read the website http://www.theregenerationproject.org/index.htm or contact The Re-generation Project at: [email protected] or call415-561-4891.

There is no dearth of actions and helps that each of us can do toplay our part in this current challenge. The list above is just thebeginning. Energy checklists are readily available. The Internetis full of links to programs and action groups. In the words ofArchbishop Migli-ore, as children ofGod we are chal-lenged by the Gene-sis story to protect,not destroy, the cos-mos. With hu-

mans open to love,creation becomesthe place for themutual exchange ofgifts among people.

USCMA Resolution on climate change

At our 2006 Annual Meeting members approved a Resolutionurging members to actions. It is our hope that members willmake a renewed commitment to follow through with these:

Become thoroughly familiar with and promote stewardshipof the earth as integral to the gospel message and as

expressed in the Bishops recent policy statementsnoted above. www.usccb.org/sdwp

Learn ways of integrating ecological concerns into our pas-toral ministry and promoting a simple lifestyle as indi-viduals, religious communities, and as a nation, in re-sponse to the destructive practices that abound in de-

contd from page 3


Contemporary names of countries from page 14:

a) Lesotho; b) Belize; c) Sri Lanka; d) Democratic Republic of the Congo; e) Surinam; f) Taiwan; g) Mali; h) Malawi; i) Iran; j)

Guinea-Bissau; k) Thailand; l) Namibia; m) Equatorial Guinea; n) Bangladesh.

2 Composting helps prevent erosion into

an Australian stream.

3 Recycling in the United Kingdom.


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Page 5US Catholic Mission Association


It is now possible

to register for the 2007 Annual

Conference

online!!

U.S. Catholic Mission Association

participates in the

Combined Federal Campaign (CFC).Please remember us as you

make your donations.

We also appreciate you telling

your friends

about our participation.

Thank you!

veloped and developing nations.

Seek ways of educating ourselves and our co-workers bymaking efforts to change systems and structures thatare ecologically unsound. www.ucsusa.org/global_warming

Conduct an audit of the impact which all our institutions,be they schools, hospitals, parishes and other commu-nity buildings have on the environment. We hope togenerate an environmental impact statement for eachand every institution over which we, the members,have direct control, and to be followed by a plan ofaction for improving the efficient stewardship of allpersons associated with our own institutions.

Contact your Senators and Congressional representativesto urge greater US leadership to address climatechange and to provide significant economic and tech-nical support to developing countries. Read Safe Cli-mate Act (H.R. 5642) introduced by Henry Waxman

and companion bill in the Senate, Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act (S. 3698) introduced byJeffords and Boxer by going to

http://thomas.loc.gov/home/c109query.html

We also strongly urge you to assist your bishop in sendinga cover letter and a copy of the bishops statement,Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Pru-dence and the Common Good, to your members in both the House and Senate. http://www.usccb.org/

sdwp/international/globalclimate.htm

Photograph Credits:

1 Brazilian forest devastation with Brazilian Indians, courtesyof Reuters News Agency through Planet Ark, http://

planetark.org/envpicshome.cfm

2 Composting to prevent erosion, photo courtesy of

www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/composting/benefits.htm

3 Recycling courtesy ofwww.merton.gov.uk/living/

environment/recycling

4Photograph of Earth from space taken December 7, 1972 byApollo astronauts en route to the moon. NASA created the

photo and it is therefore in the public domain. It is one ofthe few photographs where the entire disc of the earth is

illuminated.

4 View of the Blue Marble from space.

For several months we had problems withthe website that prevented us from updatinginformation. We apologize for any incon-venience. There are two places on the sitethat link to online registration: on the home

page in the upper left column, and, underEvents, go to Annual Mission Conference


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Page 6



abuso, drogas y pobreca. Du-

rante los primeros meses de miestancia aqu, haban muchas

situaciones difciles que tuve que

enfrentar, pero lo ms difcil fueacostumbrarme a la cultura de la

pobreza. Estas muchachas son

pobres no slo economicamente,

sino tambin en espritu, educa-cin y esperanza. Saba que quis-

iera ayudarlas, pero no sabaexactamente cmo. Decid con-

fiar en Dios y en los dones que

me ha dado.

He compuesto msica desde

que tena 16 aos y siempre he

querido componer canciones enespaol, pero no saba cmo em-

pezar. Con el apoyo de Sor Lia,

mi directora, lanc un mini- proyecto para colaborar con las

muchachas para escribir unascanciones. Les ped unos poemas a las cuales podra pon-

erles msica. Mi peticin fue bien recibida por lasmuchachas de noveno ao, quienes me brindaron no slo

sus poemas sino tambin sus esperanzas, sueos y ora-ciones. Con sus palabras, compuse dos canciones para su

graduacin. Aunque parezca un clich, jams olvidar el

cambio en sus caras: ojos que no haba conocido hasta queme miraron en los ojos cuando empec a cantar y en-

searles la letra la meloda. Mientras aparecan sus sonri-

sas, por fin yo sent una conexin con las muchachas. Los

das que pasamos aprendiendo la letra en el aula se convir-tieron en sesiones rodeando el piano donde practicamos

las canciones. Creo que una de las mejores memorias quevoy a llevar de esta experiencia ser caminando del aula al

piano, de brazo con Paola, cantando en armona. Ella no

dejaba de cantar, pues yo tampoco iba a dejar de cantar.

Yo no conoca Paola antes de este proyecto. Mi don

de msica me permiti caminar con los pobres de Costa

Rica. A veces las muchachas me guiaron, y a veces fui yoque les gui a ellas, pero la experiencia result en algo que

pudimos compartir y es algo que voy a tratar de utilizar

durante este semestre para alcanzar a ms muchachas. Yo saba que Dios me llam a Costa Rica y a La Casa de

Maria Auxiliadora por alguna razn, pero no saba por

qu. Ahora ya s por qu.

Mission StoriesGRADUATION SONGS FROM COSTA RICA

by Anna Hickner

Upon coming to Costa Rica, I knew it was God wholed me to La Casa de Maria Auxiliadora. I work daily withgirls who come from disintegrated families, abuse, drugsand poverty. In the first few months of my stay here, therewere many uncomfortable situations I had to confront, butthe hardest was probably adjusting to the culture of pov-erty. These girls were not just economically poor, but poorin spirit, education and hope. I knew I wanted to help, butI didnt exactly know how. Thus, I decided to go back toGod, and the talents he gave me.

I have been writing music since Ive been 16 yearsold, and I always wanted to write songs in Spanish, butdidnt exactly know how. With the support of Sister Lia,my director, I launched my own mini-project to collabo-rate with the muchachas and write a couple of songs. Iasked them for poems that I could put to music. My peti-tion was very well received by the ninth grade girls, whonot only gave me poems but hopes, dreams and prayers.With their words, I was able to write two songs for theirgraduation. As cliche as it sounds, I will never forget thechange on their faces; eyes I hadnt known until theylooked up when I started to sing and teach them the wordsand melody. As smiles started to appear, I felt like I finallyconnected with these girls. Days in the classroom review-ing lyrics evolved into sessions around the piano practic-

ing the songs. I think one of the fondest memories I carryfrom this experience was the walk from the classroom tothe piano, arm and arm with Paola, singing our song, inharmony. She wouldnt stop singing, so I didnt stop sing-ing.

I didnt even know Paola before I started this project.My gift of music allowed me to walk with the poor ofCosta Rica. At times it was the girls guiding me, at times itwas me guiding them, but resulted in something that wecould share together and something I will continue to util-ize this semester to reach out to more girls. I knew Godbrought me to Costa Rica and La Casa de Maria Auxili-

adora for a reason, I just didnt know why. Now I knowwhy.

Al llegar a Costa Rica, supe que era Dios quin me

llam a La Casa de Maria Auxiliadora. Cada da trabajocon muchachas que vienen de familias destruidas por

If you would like to share mission stories from any of your missioners we would be happy to include them in a future

issue of Mission Update, depending on space availability.

Anna Hickner, 23, is a cur-rent Francis Corps Volun-teer ministering at La Casade Maria Auxiliadora in SanJose, Costa Rica. A 2006graduate of St. Marys Col-lege (Notre Dame, IN),

Anna is a native of Chicago, IL. She plans a fu-ture in counseling, psychol-ogy, and/or social work.


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Gods Asian Tapestry

Reflections on the First Asian Mission Congress

By James H. Kroeger, MM

Page 1

Tapestries are a specialized form of art. Us-ing subtle colors and richly textured fibers, the artistweaves an inspiring piece, capturing people in theiruniqueness, geometric designs in their intricacies,animals in their diversity, and nature in all its beauty.The vision and skill of the artist serve to create amoving work of art, often a masterpiece.

Peoples and cultures across the centurieshave used and perfected this form of hand-wovenfabric. Through the skill and artistry of the weaver,great beauty and refinement can be achieved.Viewing a tapestry means appreciating the wonder-ful intricacies displayed and the artists attention todetail. Tapestries can evoke deep reflection andinsight into the beauty of life.

The First Asian Mission Congress, held inThailand in October 2006, noted in its final mes-sage: All the colors, peoples, languages, cultures,values, religions, and arts of Asias peoples formedone great tapestry. The story of Jesus became theunique congress thread that wove all these dimen-sions and experiences of life into one multifaceteddesign. With hindsight, one can partially capture thebeauty of this Mission Congress by examining someof the diverse threads that were woven together intoa great tapestry, into Gods Asian Tapestry.

CONGRESS VISION. The Mission Con-gress was not envisioned as a symposium or semi-nar; rather, the gathering in Chiang Mai, northernThailand was to be a celebration of faith and life.The first stated congress goal was to share the joyand enthusiasm of our faith in Jesus Christ and tocelebrate our faith in Asian language, song, story,art, music, symbol, and architecture. Next, this ap-proach sought to move from a celebratory phaseinto concrete Asian ways of mission though witness


in the midst of life realities. It also moves to adeepened awareness about the renewed under-standing of mission ad gentes during and since theSecond Vatican Council and to priorities for a re-newed mission animation.

Here one hears echoes of Paul VIs Evan-gelii Nuntiandi where he focused on encouragingour brethren in their mission as evangelizers sothat they may accomplish their task with ever in-creasing love, zeal and joy (EN 1). In the Asiancontext where the Church is a small minority, truly alittle flock, (less than 3% of the vast multitudes ofAsia), mutual encouragement is constantly neededand appreciated. Thanks to the Holy Spirit, the prin-cipal agent of evangelization, congress delegatesexperienced renewed joy in being truly Catholic andtruly Asian; they departed for their home Churches

with renewed enthusiasm. Many hearts were setablaze in that New Upper Room (the congress hallof the Lotus Hotel in Chiang Mai). A renewed joy ofevangelizing permeated the more than 1,000 par-ticipants!

AN ASIAN APPROACH. The Mission Con-gress tapestry was to be woven through a carefullychosen methodology: story-telling in faith ornarrative missiology. One can appreciate this ap-proach by recalling the basic elements of a story. In

brief, stories tell us who we are; they link us to-gether and deepen our identity, revealing many as-pects of the mystery of our being. Stories are win-dows through which we view the world; they pos-sess tremendous power to influence faith and life.They probe the heart, illuminating our relationshipswith God and others.

The keynote congress address by master-weaver Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle identified eight

This Periodic Paper comes in two parts. The first part is James H. Kroegers reflections on the First Asian MissionCongress held in Chiang Mai, Thailand last year. The second part is the official statement of the said event.

Periodic Paper #2


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Page 2

largest event ever sponsored by the FABC(Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences); dele-gates to the FABC plenary assemblies held everyfour yearsthere have been eight to dateusually number around 300 persons at the maxi-mum. To have participated in this congress

meant a total immersion in Asian-ness. And, forthe majority of delegates, it was a new, enrichingencounter that they had never before experi-enced. People, Gods People, coming from everyrace, family, and nation in Asiaall assembled,hearing about the marvels of God. Everyonewas amazed and astonished; they asked one an-other what it all meant (cf. Acts 2:11-12).

FABCs TRIPLE DIALOGUE. Since itsfirst plenary assembly in Taipei in 1974 which fo-

cused on Evangelization in Modern Day Asia, theFABC has developed an Asian Paradigm formissionary evangelization. The paradigm focuseson the building up of truly inculturated localChurches. The operative approach is the distinc-tive mode of dialogue. The dialogue partners ofthe local Church are Asias peoples (especially thepoor), Asias cultures and religions. This AsianWay of being Church, commonly termed thetriple dialogue, shaped the thematic structure ofthe entire congress.

Brief opening ceremonies were held on theevening of October 18. The first full day (October19) was devoted to the story of Jesus in the Peo-ples of Asia. The faith sharers or story-tellersfocused on the elderly and the family, two keysegments of Asias population. Delegates met forthe first time in their workshops and reflected ontheir personal faith story, responding to the ques-tion: How have I encountered Christ in my life?

Continuing the work of the congress, the

second full day (October 20) focused on the roleof Jesus in the Religions of Asia. An interestingpanel presentation addressed four of the livingfaiths in Asia: Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, andTribals/Indigenous. Workshops responded to thequestion: What do I appreciate in the followers ofother religions in my country?

The morning of the next day (October 21)centered on the Cultures of Asia; participants

dimensions of story-telling that help the Church un-derstand her evangelizing mission in Asia: (1) Goodstories emerge from experience; the Church tellsthe Jesus-story from its experience of Jesus; (2)Stories reveal personal identity and the formativeinfluence of people and events; the Jesus-story

manifests the identity of the Church among the peo-ples (especially the poor), religions, and cultures ofAsia; (3) Stories are dynamic and transformative;the Church keeps the memory of Jesus dynamicallyalive; (4) Stories help interpret spiritual, doctrinal,and ethical symbols, and the Jesus-story providesmeaning to the Churchs symbols of faith.

Tagle continued weaving his artistic designby showing: (5) Stories create community; the storyof Jesus generates the Church; (6) When received,

stories transform the listener; the Church must listento Jesus story and be renewed by it; (7) Just as sto-ries can be narrated in a variety of ways, the Churchcan tell the Jesus-story with a multiplicity of ap-proaches; finally, (8) Stories of individuals andwhole peoples can be suppressed; thus, the Churchmust give voice to societys victims and their sup-pressed stories. Tagle succeeded in winning peo-ples hearts and minds; convincing them that story-telling is a very valid insight into evangelization inAsia today.

EXPERIENCING ASIAN-NESS. For allthe participants, the Mission Congress was a richexperience of the great diversity of Asia and her 3.6billion people. In the congress itself over forty coun-tries were represented in the more than 1,000 par-ticipants. Asians came from remote places such asTurkmenistan and Uzbekistan, from Mongolia,Myanmar (Burma), and China, from Bangladesh,Nepal, and Cambodia. They brought with them theirstories, cultures, experiences and, above all, theirfaith and love of Jesus and his Church. One heardnumerous languages being spokenas diverse as

those heard on the first Pentecost. People eagerlyshared their persons and experiencesin hotel cor-ridors and dining rooms, in the 100+ small discus-sion groups, in their mission expositions, in their na-tional dress, songs and dances during the final ban-quet and grand socialization. The people tapestryat the congress was overwhelming and marvelous.

This first Asian Mission Congress was the

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Asias Catholics. A clear expression of gratitudewas heard for the self-sacrificing missionaries wholabored to bring the Christian faith to Asia. A mar-velous musical drama with over 400 student per-formers portrayed how the faith arrived and tookroot in Thailand. Personal journeys of faith were

spontaneously shared in the small discussiongroups.

Prayer in many forms seemed to be like agolden thread integrating the five-day assembly.Solemn daily celebrations of the Eucharist were pre-sided by five cardinals (Crescenzio Sepe, Papal En-voy; Ivan Dias, CEP Prefect; Michael Michai Kit-bunchu, Bangkok; Ricardo Vidal, Cebu; TelesphorePlacidus Toppo, Ranchi). Creative morningprayers, based on the themes of light, color, and

water, invited participants to focus on Gods pres-ence in the congress.

There was perpetual Eucharistic adoration ina special chapel. National groups sang their indige-nous songs for communion-time meditation. Therewas the recitation of the mission rosary and a holyhour before the Blessed Sacrament on the Fridayevening of the congress; confessions were availableduring morning prayer and the holy hour. A largeJesus-Asia mission cross was given to each coun-try delegation during the closing Eucharist; eachdelegate received a smaller necklace version of themission cross. All received a special papal blessingduring the mass on World Mission Sunday. In aword, prayer was woven well into the design of thecongress.

AN ASIAN TAPESTRY. As a specialized art form,tapestry is unique. Woven from various threadssilk, wool, and cotton, bright and darka tapestryreveals the artists imagination and design. Eachtapestry narrates a story, it captures life, it invites

reflection.

At the Asian Mission Congress, the HolySpirit wove a unique tapestry of the Story of Jesusin Asia. How beautiful it was to witness the master-weaver at work! Even the less than perfect threadshelped shape the final design.

Mission belongs to God, it is his project, his

heard faith sharings on consumerism, media,migrants, youth, and interfaith relationships. After-noon workshops reflected on this question: Whatpractices or traditions in my culture best expressthe Gospel of Jesus?

The final day of the congress was WorldMission Sunday (October 22). The final faithsharer focused on the Thai Tribals and their jour-ney in faith. A congress synthesis was presented;the congress message and mission orienta-tions were read publicly [see separate docu-ments]. The final highpoint was the World MissionSunday 2006 Eucharistic Celebration, presided byCrescenzio Cardinal Sepe, the Special Envoy ofthe Pope.

Five days, October 18-22, 2006, days filledwith stories of faith, enriched by intercultural shar-ing, deepened by theological reflection, celebrat-ing faith and life! These days added new meaningto the FABC and its mission in Asia. Terming theFABC as Asias Continuing Vatican II is no mis-nomer! Pentecost continues to unfold in Asia!

REFLECTION, FAITH, AND PRAYER.The tapestry of the Asian Mission Congress wouldbe incomplete if one failed to mention the role of

theological-missiological reflection that was inte-grally interwoven into the fabric. Each day timewas allotted for a formal reflection on theChurchs understanding of her evangelizing mis-sion in Asia. Fathers Julian Saldanha, SJ, ProperGrech, OSA, Savio Hon Tai Fai, SDB, JamesKroeger, MM, and John Prior, SVD were invited toenhance and deepen the faith sharers story-telling and the feedback from the discussiongroups. Once again, this missiological reflectionfollowed the FABCs triple-dialogue pattern.

The full title or theme of this First AsianMission Congress was: The Story of Jesus inAsia: A Celebration of Faith and Life. Faith wasclearly evidentin many and diverse ways. Par-ticipants seemed to be brimming with joyful faithand enthusiasm from their arrival until their depar-ture; their spontaneous faith perdured through avery full and exhausting congress schedule. In-digenous saints and blessedespecially the mar-tyrscontinue to be vibrant faith influences on

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dia. Indeed, to encounter the Risen Lord is to besent on mission.

In Gods gracious providence, over 1,000of us contemporary disciples of Jesus assembledfor the first-ever Asian Mission Congress. A spa-cious, sprawling hotel in Chiang Mai, northernThailand, became the New Upper Room. Wegathered to share our experience, to tell our sto-ries, to meet other disciples from across the vastAsian continent, from Lebanon to Japan, from Ka-zakhstan and Mongolia to Indonesia. We heardinspiring stories, too numerous to count, stories oflife, faith, heroism, service, prayer, dialogue, andproclamation. An infectious mood of joy pervadedus. No one doubted the active presence of thebefriending Spirit of God. Together we celebratedour faith and our life as disciples of Jesus throughsharing, listening, praying, celebrating the Eucha-rist. The multiplicity of cultures and languagesadded light and color to the celebration of our onecommon faith.

This pastoral-catechetical congress ex-plored a unique methodology of evangelizing:story-telling or faith-sharing. We listened to narra-tives about the elderly, families, youth, childrenand women, BECs. We heard perspectives fromIslam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and the Tribals. Con-

temporary contexts were highlighted: Consumer-ism, Media, Migrants, and Interfaith Dialogue.How significant these are to the mission of evan-gelization in the present context of ethnic conflictsand religious tensions!

The Story of Jesus was the unique thread,weaving all these life experiences into one grandnarrative. All the colors, peoples, languages, cul-tures, values, religions, and arts of Asias peoplesformed one grand tapestry. Lord, how marvelous

are your ways! How deep your designs!

The world is full of stories. Human life isunimaginable without stories. Stories tell us whowe are and they link us with other peoples, allacross Asia and even throughout the world.Through them we explore lifes deeper dimen-sions, including the mystery of our own being.Stories impact our life and our faith. They trans-form perspectives and values. They form commu-

work, his masterpiece. Only Gods weaving is im-portant. His thoughts, his ways, his artistry shapethe final tapestrya masterpiece not made by hu-man hands (cf. Heb. 9:11)!

James H. Kroeger, M.M. has served mission in Asian(Philippines and Bangladesh) since 1970. In addition to hiswork in education and formation, he has published several ma-terials (books and articles) on the Churchs mission of evangeli-zation in Asia today. His most recent publication are: The Fu-ture of the Asian Churches (2002), Becoming Local Church(2003), and Once Upon a Time in Asia(2006) [Claretian Publi-cations, Manila].

TELLING THE STORY OF JESUS IN ASIA

The Message of the First Asian Mission Con-gress

Chiang Mai, Thailand, October 18-22, 2006

Jesus lives! Christ is Risen! Our Savior iswith us; his life is our life. These affirmations cap-ture our sentiments as the participants of the 2006Asian Mission Congress. Gathered in Thailand, Oc-tober 18-22, 2006, we express the same joyful faithas Christs first disciples, who proclaimed: I haveseen the Lord (Jn. 20:18); It is the Lord (Jn. 21:7);It is true: The Lord has risen (Lk. 24:34); My Lordand my God (Jn. 20:28). The first disciples re-

joiced: their friend, their teacher, their prophet, theircompassionate healer, their beloved was miracu-louslymysteriouslyalive. Fear and disappoint-ment, trauma and devastation became faith and re-

joicing. Who could have expected? Who wouldhave dreamed?

Jesus comes personally to his followers. Hecalls them by name: Mary of Magdala, Thomas, Pe-ter, James, John. They recognize him. He speakswords of peace and reconciliation. The disbelievingdisciples are transformed. Yet, Jesus, the Crucified-

Risen One, expands the dimensions of their faith.He challenges them further. He sends them on mis-sion: Go forth to every part of the world, and pro-claim the Good News to the whole of creation (Mk.16:15); Go forth and make all nations my disci-ples (Mt. 28:19); You are witnesses to all this (Lk.24:48); As the Father sent me, so I send you (Jn.20:21). And so the disciples set out to tell the Jesusstory. They go to places, near and far: James toJerusalem, Peter and Paul to Rome, Thomas to In-

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nity. Stories contain a hidden dynamism andtransforming power, incalculably so when theyemerge from experience. They are rememberedmuch longer than lessons learned in school orbooks that are read.

Jesus was known as a story-teller. As arabbi, a teacher, his favorite method of instructionwas telling parables, insightful vignettes that re-vealed the depths of Gods Reign. Who does notknow the parable of the Good Samaritan or theProdigal Son? Jesus parables challenge us withnew possibilities in our relations with God and allour brothers and sisters. Many might think of Je-sus, who was born in Asia, as merely akin to thegreat Asian wisdom teachers, such as Confucius,Lao Tzu, and Gandhi. But more marvelously, we

Christians believe that Jesus is the God who be-came Man, sent by the Father. He is Gods lovestory in the fleshGods Incarnate Story.

The Asian Mission Congress sought to en-flesh many of the challenges found in Pope JohnPaul IIs Ecclesia in Asia (EA): narrative methodsakin to Asian cultural forms are to be preferred. Infact, the proclamation of Jesus Christ can mosteffectively be made by narrating his story, as theGospels do (EA 20f). Pope John Paul II recom-mends following an evocative pedagogy, usingstories, parables and symbols so characteristic ofAsian methodology in teaching (EA 20g).

The local Churches in Asia can be faithfulto Christs mission mandate by telling and retellingthe Jesus story both in words and effective deedsof service. Repeatedly, the Church communicatesits faith that originates in its experience of Jesus.The Holy Spirit, the Great Storyteller, guides theChurch in all situations to tell, especially throughthe witness of a transformed life: what we have

heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what wehave looked upon and touched with our hands; itis none other than the Word of Life (cf. 1 Jn.1:1). Mission means keeping the story of Jesusalive, forming community, showing compassion,befriending the other, carrying the Cross, wit-nessing to the living person of Jesus.

The disciples on the road to Emmaus ob-served: Did we not feel our hearts on fire as he

talked with us on the road and explained the scrip-tures to us (Lk. 24:32)? For us, the way to ChiangMai has become our Emmaus road. At the MissionCongress we shared our experiences of faith. Sto-ries from Bangladesh and Hong Kong, from Thai-land and China, from Japan and Nepalfrom all

across the Asian continentset our hearts on fire.Echoes ofEcclesia in Asia resounded loudly: A firecan only be lit by something that is itself on fire (EA23b). The Church in Asia is to be a communityaflame with missionary zeal to make Jesus known,loved and followed (EA 19a). Jesus casts fire onthe earth and prays that it be ablaze (cf. Lk. 12:49).The Church in Asia shares his zeal that this fire bere-kindled now (EA 18c). We know that our 2006Mission Congress, sponsored by the Federation ofAsian Bishops Conferences and its Office of Evan-gelization, thanks to the Holy Spirit, was able to set

many hearts ablaze.

The Asian Mission Congress, particularly theexchange of our faith-stories, has provided new per-spectives for our task of dialoguing with the peoples(especially the poor), the religions, and the culturesof Asia (cf. FABC V: 3.1.2). The stories of Asiaspoor today (beggars, people living with AIDS, mi-grants, the outcasts) must be read within Jesusstory and his Paschal Mystery. Asias many vener-able religions may be seen within Gods universal

design of salvationthat all would be saved (I Tm.2:4). The riches of Asian cultures can be a mostsuitable vehicle for communicating the Jesus story.This task has a special urgency today in the multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural situation ofAsia (EA 21b). The insightful triple dialogue pro-moted by the FABC for over three decades can beaccomplished in new and surprising ways (EA20f)one of which is in the exchange of giftsthrough the sharing of our lifes story.

At this First Asian Mission Congress we re-

discovered the joy of evangelization. Pope PaulVIs words ring true; effective mission is to be donewith ever increasing love, zeal and joy (EvangeliiNuntiandi, EN 1). Jesus disciples must proclaimwith joy the Good News which one has come toknow through the Lords mercy (EN 80).

We, the Congress participants, commit our-selves to carry home to our own communities, new

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insights into the story of Jesus, particularly itsAsian dimensions. We seek to be on fire, ready tobring home vivid and inspiring stories, which couldlight the flame of mission in young hearts. We wishto follow Jesus words to the possessed person(the scriptural passage we adopted at the Con-

gress): Go home to your own people and tell themwhat the Lord in his mercy has done for you (Mk.5:19).

We seek to approach evangelization in anAsian way, an evocative way through stories, par-ables and symbols, a method so characteristic ofAsian pedagogy, as Pope John Paul II has so per-ceptively noted. It is, therefore, a way of sharingour faith with others, an authentic path of dialogue.Still, we who believe in this distinctive approach toevangelization will also not be timid when Godopens the door for us to proclaim explicitly the LordJesus Christ as the Savior and the answer to thefundamental questions of human existence (FABCV: 4.3).

On this World Mission Sunday we thank theLord of the harvest for the countless missionarieswho have come to serve in Asia through the centu-ries. We prayerfully commend to the Lords loveand protection the thousands from Asia who nowserve in various parts of the globe.

We beseech Mary, our Mother and the Starof Evangelization, to intercede for us that ourhearts may remain on fire with love of Jesus herSon, whose story we shall tell and retell throughwords, deeds and the witness of our lives.

MISSION ORIENTATIONS AND PRIORITIES

First Asian Mission Congress

Chiang Mai, Thailand, October 18-22, 2006

Moved by the experience of the First AsianMission Congress, we the participants have identi-fied the following important areas of concern whichwe consider as priorities for our missionary task inAsia, and we commit ourselves to implement them:

The Story of Jesus in Our Life

We will make the story of Jesus come alivethrough our personal encounter with the RisenLord through:

a deeper study and living of the Word of

God in such a way that thepower of Jesus story transforms our life

cultivating a habit of recognizing the storyof Jesus in ones own personal

life, in all our experiences, particularly, inour struggles and pains, joys

and sorrows

making the celebrations of the communityespecially the Eucharist as

powerful moments of encounter in which

the story of Jesus comes alivethrough the symbols used in the liturgy

(the breaking of the Bread, etc.)

fostering the attitudes and values of humil-ity and openness before the

mystery of God at work in the peoples ofAsia especially in those who

suffer, such as the poor, the marginalized,migrant workers, the sick,

women and children

promoting the participation of the laity es-pecially the youth who are the

future of the Church in Asia

proclaiming Jesus especially through wit-ness as the distinguishing mark

of our missionary identity

living and promoting a spirituality of thedialogue of life with the peoples

of Asia

learning to recognize the presence of thestory of Jesus in the stories of

trauma, exclusion, sufferings and povertyas well as in their other varied

experiences of life

learning the art of eagerly awaiting theopportune moment to share

Jesus story as Gods gift for the fullnessof life

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Periodic Papers are published by USCMA

USCMA

Hecker Center, Suite 100

3025 Fourth Street, NE

Washington, DC 20017-1102

Phone: 202-832-3112 Fax: 202-832-3688

E-Mail: [email protected] Web site: www.uscatholicmission.org

Page 7

The Story of Jesus in Peoples of Other Faiths

We will:

recognize our ignorance and prejudice(individual and collective) by

taking concrete steps to acquaint our-selves with other religious traditions

develop in our educational and formationinstitutes, especially in our

seminaries, such positive attitudes of un-derstanding and respect

towards other religions

form families to grow in openness and ahumble attitude to the mystery

of God at work in other religions

make similar efforts to remove misunder-standing and prejudice from the

people of other faiths in regard to theChristian faith and practices

offer more effective pastoral care for thosein mixed marriages and other

interreligious situations

The Story of Jesus in the Cultures of Asia

We will:

integrate positive cultural values of Asiaas mentioned in Ecclesia in Asia

into our Christian livingat personal and

collective levelsall the more

so when such values are being eroded byconsumerism, materialism

and other forces with the support of themedia and the market

promote a culture of service, compassion,disciplined life, meditation,

silence, simplicity, reconciliation and har-mony

take concrete steps to integrate local festi-vals and cultural forms of

expression such as dance and music, artand architecture

introduce with proper catechesis incultura-tion at all levels of our life so

that we can effectively present the Asianface of Jesus to our sisters and

brothers in Asia

Follow-up

We appeal to each Episcopal conference toorganize national/regional Mission Congresses insuch way as to effectively promote a renewedsense of mission of TELLING THE STORY OF JE-SUS in an Asian way to the peoples of Asia. Wehope that the above measure, among others, willrevitalize our missionary dynamism with a sense of

urgency and with a spirit of enthusiasm and joy.

For He is indeed Risen and Alive in Asia!

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peal to most youth. Many teachers go beyondthis and devise their own questions for otherarticles.

Educators acknowledge students today arevery media-oriented, and that teachers needmany different approaches to satisfy that. Manyteachers have told Maryknoll the classroomprogram is a good supplement not only to reli-gious studies but social studies too.

Gaughan says she hopes this program willeventually involve parents as well, to teachthem about mission and involve them in the cur-riculum. She says the program provides stu-dents with the kind of insight they dont get fromstandard textbooks.

Our program opens up students to the needsof the world and its people.

For more information, visit them on the web atwww.maryknoll.org/classroom or phone toll free

1-888-627-9566.

Maryknoll is teaming-up with Catholic middleand secondary schools across the country toteach students about mission, other culturesand geography absolutely free of charge. The

program introduces students to real-life heroesand the people whom they serve.

In the MARYKNOLL magazine classroom pro-gram, each month from September throughMay, every student is given a MARYKNOLLmagazine. The teachers are provided with anaccompanying poster and photo from the fea-tured article, along with an easy-to-use, ready-made lesson plan, and a series of related ques-

tions for the students to answer and discuss.

The classroom program teaches students toreach out to others with Christ-like compassion.The coordinator of the program, MARYKNOLLmagazines managing editor Marge Gaughan,says the missioners featured in MARYKNOLLmagazine serve as role models for service.

A big advantage for teachers, says Gaughan,

is that we provide a ready-made lesson planfocusing on one article that we feel would ap-



New Presidency of Pax Christi International

Pax Christi International has elected ArchbishopLaurent Monsengwo and Marie Dennis as the newPresidents of Pax Christi International at their An-nual General Assembly taking place 28 April 2007in Antwerp, Belgium. Their 3 years mandate as co-presidents begins at the Triennial World Assembly

of Pax Christi International, which will take placefrom 30 October to 4 November 2007 in Torhout/Bruges. The present International President, H.B.Michel Sabbah, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem,will remain in office until 3 November 2007.

We congratulate Marie who is the Director of theMaryknoll Office for Global Concerns, one of ourpartner organizations.

a) Basutoland b) British Honduras

c) Ceylon d) Congo Leopoldville

e) Dutch Guyana f) Formosa

g) French Sudan h) Nyassaland

i) Persia j) Portuguese Guinea

k) Siam l) South West Africa

m) Spanish Guinea n) West Pakistan

MARYKNOLL EXPANDS FREE CLASSROOM STUDY PROGRAM

Name That Country

This was taken from the July-August 1977 issue

of Mission Intercom.

To how many of the countries listed below canyou give the contemporary name? Answers onpage 4.


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Summer 2007


Mission Update

The importance of USCMA is the forum it creates to promote and foster dia-

logue in respectful manner across the US. For me, USCMA stretches myvision, challenges me to examine my assumption and calls me to an open-ness to diversity in culture and concepts.

Sr. Shalini DSouza, SCN

Excellent forum for exchange with other mission-minded persons and groups.

Exceptional means of on-going formation information.

Great opportunity for religious to learn about lay participation in the missionentrusted to the Church at home and abroad.

Marcel Sylvestre

USCMA remains for me the place where missioners gather to research,celebrate, articulate, and challenge one another on the very live reality of whatmission is.

USCMA is important due to the fact it can attract ALL the actorsand factors of mission to create the place for the dialogue to happen. It canserve as the on-going mission memory in many creative ways.

Rev. Rocco Puopolo, SX

USCMA is something new for me. After discovering mission while in Peru,South America, and Mexico I have learned about what it means to be in mis-sion in my own country, the USA. USCMA is the agency that has awakenedthe values of Gods mission in my life, in my homeland and as a guest abroad.

The importance of USCMA in the whole mission dialogue in the US

Church is that USCMA listens and offers opportunities for learning and net-working.

Rudy Vela, SM

USCMA provides me with the opportunity to meet and dialogue with a verywide variety of people interested in mission.

For the Church, USCMA provides a forum for dialogue and a placeor space to refine our thinking.

Tom Johnson, FSC

USCMA for me is one family working together to accomplish one vision.

The importance of USCMA in the whole mission dialogue in the USChurch is that it clearly represents the thoughts and desires of the Catholicpeople to serve and live out its baptismal promises. It opens up the doors topossibilities of service throughout the world and it brings people together asone Catholic family.

Luisa Ortega, SFO

More than an organization, USCMA is a movement that constantly renews thefundamental missionary spirit of the Church, promoting dialogue, conscious-ness raising, and a commitment to justice.

Joseph Jablonski

USCMA is an organization of men and women committed to bridge-building

mutual positive relationships long or short term.USCMA draws all mission organizations together. It helps give focus andhope to those who have desire and enthusiasm to mutually learn from others.

Sr. Mary Serra Goethals, SCN

(It) provides an essential role for the networking of programs, institutes, andpeople committed to mission in many forms. Also, a source of information, on-going education, and encouragement for dedicated individuals who often feeldis-connected. (It) provides the broader perspective and network.

Roger Schroeder, SVD

USCMA calls me to reflect on my journey as a missioner. It has been many,

many years since I have received my baptismal call to follow Christ and toproclaim the Good News I have received, to share with others. I look back andsee each step following the previous. USCMA encourages me along the wayto a deeper understanding of mission: my mission within Gods mission.

USCMA stands within the Church as a witness to the baptismalcall to mission we all receive. USCMA members are salt to the earth and lightto the world in its ecclesial position of calling all to be missioners.

Christopher Promis, CSSp

USCMA has always been for me what its purpose and focusstates in the current brochure I affirm this why and what completely. Iwould like to see a new emphasis added to the 5th element of Integral Evan-gelization (social transformation) a stronger, clearer mention of Ethics as the

underpinning of social justice work as well as intentional reference to CST(Catholic Social Teaching) as the grounding of social advocacy and service.

Too often our Missionary Involvement echoes only other NGO serving secularends. and also risks becoming social activism - especially among youngerpeople (or the other extreme every social action as a covert evangelicalcrusade to convert the other).

Animating the Church Bishops Dioceses- Parishes as well aslay, clerical, religious organizations do put Mission at the heart of their work and become more intentional in supporting, sustaining (organizationally &financially) the Mission Out Reach of the US Church especially that whichcrosses both culture and genders

Sr. Janet Carroll, MM

Via the Congresses & Conferences, I am challenged, inspired, informed andpropelled forward. USCMA is vital to me because it is my principal vehicle formeeting our worldwide Church; without the USCMA, I would often be unableto feel & comprehend the true catholic, universal church. USCMA meetingsare an invitation for the various generations of missioners to meet, exchange(with) and inspire each other.

David Masters

WHAT USCMA MEMBERS ARE SAYING

We continue with some more sampling of what the participants of our 2006 Annual Mission Conference

tell us about what/who is USCMA for them.


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Mission Update


Summer 2007

With ecumenical dialogue the church continues hermissionary mandate, because division in the churchcontradicts her essence and denies Jesus command.In other words, the church needs union, not becauseit is useful, desirable, or pleasant but because unionbelongs to the essence of the life of the church.

Oborjis discussion of Third World theologies froma Catholic perspective is valuable. He shows thesignificance of dialogue with contextual theologiesfor the promotion of Christian mission and presents

this as a new trend in mission studies.

As the face of mission has changed over the years,Bonk has recognized this new reality in this new edi-tion of an old standard. He examines again in thisnew context his argument that an imbalance in therelative wealth of evangelizer-missionaries and thoseamong whom they work distorts the transmissionand inculturation of the Gospel.

An addition to the new edition is the section Faith

and Wealth in the Hebrew Scriptures and the EarlyChurch that strengthens the books theological un-derpinnings.

While addressing Protestant churches the issuesBonk raises certainly resonate with Catholic mis-sionary efforts as well.

Two recent Orbis publications are important addi-tions to current mission studies. Francis AnekweOborji, a Nigerian diocesan priest, has written Con-cepts of Mission: The Evolution of ContemporaryMissiology while Jonathan Bonk, Director of Over-seas Ministries Study Center, has revised and ex-panded his Missions and Money.

Written by a missiologist from the global Southwhere Church is now so strong and growing; Oborjican talk about inculturation and inter-cultural dia-

logue from a perspective different from much of whatwe read. Moving beyond basic issues in mission andMissiology as well historical perspectives of missionOborji includes a section on New Perspectives. Animportant contribution to understanding of mission ishis Mission as Ecumenical Dialogue.

He points out there is a close bond between missionand ecumenism. Ecumenical dialogue should todaybe considered one of the churchs new ways of evan-gelization. The objective of ecumenical dialogue is

to bring churches into closer contact with one anotherfor the sake of mission and its credibility.

The overall perspective is one in which God con-ferred unity and therefore Christians are commandedto preserve it or restore it where it has been brokenthrough human fault. This command of Jesus isthe authentic driving force for ecumenical dialogue.

Concepts of Mission, The Evolution of Contemporary Missiology by Andrew Oborji

Missions and Money by Jonathan Bonk

Sr. Andre Fries, CPPS, died on July 14, 2007(Saturday) in Baltimore as the result of complications

from surgery. Please pray for her, her family and reli-

gious sisters, and in thanksgiving for her service to the

Church, the LCWR and the religious of the United

States for her service as Executive Director of the

NRRO and her encouragement of renewal of the na-

tional collection for the Retirement of Religious.

Sr. Lorena Bolte, OP, died on July 4, 2007 in a caraccident near Syracuse. Please pray for her, her family,

and the Dominican Sisters of Great Bend, Kansas and

in thanksgiving for her service to the Dominicans of

Great Bend, Kansas, the Dominican Sisters of St. Cath-

erine of Siena of Gusau, Nigeria, her pastoral ministry

to Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish and to Africa

Faith and Justice Network whom she served as a board

member since 2005.

Requiescant in pace.

BOOK REVIEWS


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Summer 2007


Mission Update

Are not our hearts burning? invites us to look at our own missionjourneys in the midst of the challenges of the 21st century. It asks usto identify that which enkindles the fire of passion for Gods mis-sion a holy longing a yearning of the heart.

Are not our hearts burning? calls us to take off our shoes as weenter this sacred space and time to encounter the fire that burnsbut never consumes alive in the stories of mission that we holddeeply in our hearts. Like Moses in the encounter, and the disci-ples of Emmaus, we hope to renew and deepen our passion forGods mission as we engage in a highly fluid and polarized world.

Keynote Speakers:GERALD ARBUCKLE, SM

RON ROLHEISER, OMI

Panel Speakers:ADRIENNE CURRY

SHALINI DSOUZA, SCN

KATIE EBERHARD

JUDY DONOVAN, CSJ

Dialogue Sessions:MISSION IN CIVIL SOCIETY

JUDY DONOVAN, CSJ & CHRISTINE STEPHENS, CDP

YOUNG CATHOLICS IN MISSION

MEGEEN WHITE-TESTA & KATIE EBERHARD

FAMILIES IN MISSION

SAM & CECILIA ESPINOZA-STANTON

PARISHES AND DIOCESES IN MISSION

JUDY GOMILA, MSC & REV. JAMES JEANFREAU

VOLUNTEERS IN MISSION

JIM LINDSAY & LUIS SERNA

MISSION AND RELIGIOUS LIFE

TOM JOHNSON, FSC & SHALINI DSOUZA, SCN

IMMIGRANTS IN MISSION

CECILE MOTUS & LINH HOANG, OFM

THE LONG AND SHORT OF

MISSIONARY CHARISM

GERALD ARBUCKLE

REGISTRATION FEE: (Includes meeting materials, refresh-ments, andmeals)

USCMA member $295 ($310 after September 31)

non USCMA member $310 ($335 after September 31)

non USCMA member plus

one year USCMA membership $350 ($375 after September 31)

PLEASE CONTACT HOTEL DIRECTLY for Hotel ac-

commodation

1-512 -448-2444 or 1-800-996-3426

Or online at www.wyndhamaustin.com

Mention USCMA Conference to get special rates!!!

For more information call us at 202-832-3112Or email us at [email protected] our website at www.uscatholicmission.org


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RECEIVE MISSION UPDATEELECTRONICALLY

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Mission Update

As you know, one of the Resolutions passed at the Annual Meeting in October 2006 focused on global climate change.

One of the ways that USCMA can do its part in protecting the environment is to cut back on the amount of paper that we use.

This includes our newsletterMission Update.

We would like to cut back on the number of hard copies of the Mission Update that we print and mail.

While helping the environment it will also shift some of our cost back into mission.

We would send an email informing people when the next issue ofMission Update is available and include a link to the newsletter online.

If you are interested in receiving yourMission Update electronically please let us know.

Contact Sr. Michael Theresa Brauer at [email protected]

Summer 2007


Stressing the importance for adequate preparation, appropriateinsertion into mission and supportive re-entry, Sr. KathrynPierce, IHM, director of Intercultural Consultation Services,gave a helpful holistic view of the missioning process at the

annual meeting of the American Society of Missiology. Withits theme, Training for Cross-Cultural Mission, the meetingheld June 15-17, 2007 at Techny Towers, IL, provided an op-portunity to learn specific models of mission training and waysto improve it. Sr. Kathryn followed her first presentation witha second, Preparing Effective Cross-Cultural Ministry Pro-grams.

The issue of short-term mission was addressed by Robert J.Priest, professor of mission and intercultural studies and direc-tor of the Doctor of Philosophy in Intercultural Studies Pro-gram at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Dr. Priest contin-ues to research short-term missioners, once described as dogs

running through an art museum, seeing everything and under-standing nothing. He contends that short-term trips, if em- bedded in an appropriate pedagogical framework and super-vised by missiologically trained leaders, have a strategic role to

play in the contemporary world.

The papers presented will be published in the January 2008issue of the journal Missiology.

Teaching Mission Today: Texts and Topics proved to be anexcellent theme for the annual meeting of the Association ofProfessors of Mission held at Techny Towers June 14-15,

2007. Four members spoke about their recent books and howthey have used the books in teaching. Roger Schroeder, SVDand Steve Bevans, SVD reflected on Constants in Context, StanNussbaum explainedA Readers Guide to Transforming Mis-sion,and Scott Moreau talked about Introducing World Mis-sions: A Biblical, Historical, and Practical Survey that he co-

authored with Gary R. Corwin and Gary B. McGee. All threeof these texts are frequently used in seminaries and universi-ties.

Missiology Meetings

From Muslims the Church can learn about prayer,fasting, and almsgiving.

From Hindus the Church can learn about medita-tion and contemplation.

From Buddhists the Church can learn about de-tachment from material goods and respect for life.

From Confucianism the Church can learn aboutfilial piety and respect for elders.

From Taoism the Church can learn about simplic-ity and humility.

From animists the Church can learn about rever-ence and respect for nature and gratitude for har-vests.

The Church can learn from the rich symbolismand rites existing in their diversity of worship.

The Church can, like the Asian religions, learn to be more open, receptive, sensitive, tolerant, andforgiving in the midst of a plurality of religions.

Source: James Kroeger, The Future of the AsianChurches, p. 14.

US Catholic Mission Association Offices

to be blessedArchbishop Donald Wuerl will dedicate the North

American Paulist Center + Hecker Center for Ministry

at Saint Pauls College on Tuesday, September 11,

2007 at 5:15 p.m. At this time the Archbishop will also

bless the new offices of US Catholic Mission Associa-

tion

What the Church can learn from

dialogue with Asian religions:


19/20

Missions and Money, Revised and Expanded, by Jonathan J. Bonk, Orbis Books, 2006

Workshop for Returned Missioners

September 18-28, 2007 in Omaha, NE

Nov. 1-4, 2007 in Philadelphia

From Mission to Mission

Telephone: 720-494-7211

Email: [email protected]

Maryknoll Mission Institute

July 8-13 Reflections on the Call to Faith in Our Time

July 15-20 A Study of the Narrative Mosaics of Marks Gospel

July 22-27 Trauma and Spirituality

July 29-Aug 3 Revisiting Our Christian Roots

Rogers Building, P.O. Box 529

Maryknoll, NY 10545-0311

Telephone: 914-941-7575


Jesus Central Message for Today

Sept. 19-22 Los Altos, CA

Sept. 23-28 Monrovia, CA

Annual National Catholic HIV/AIDS Ministry Gathering

Be Not Afraid

July 27-28, 2007

Loyola University ChicagoTelephone: 312.915.7790Email: [email protected]

Website: www.ncan.org

8th Annual National Convention of the African Conference of Catholic

Clergy and Religious in the U.S.:

Faithfulness to our Call

August 2-5, 2007: 2007

New Jersey Chapter of ACCCRUS

Crown Plaza Hotel at 36 Valley Road in Clark, New Jersey.

Telephone: (973) 824-6548

E-mail: [email protected].

PaxChristi USA National ConferenceThe Pursuit of Peace in a Culture of Violence:

A National Catholic Conference on Peacemaking

August 10-12, 2007

Seattle University, Seattle, WA.

Website: www.paxchristiusa.org/

A Women-Church Forum: Celebrating Catholic Feminist Ministries:

August 17-19, 2007:

Hyatt Regency OHare

Chicago, IL .

Telephone: (415) 381-7144

Web site: www.women-churchconvergence.org

2007 Minority Womens Health Summit: Women of Color: Addressing

Disparities, Affirming Resilience and Developing Strategies for Success

August 23-26, 2007

Washington, D.C.

Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.

Website: www.4women.gov/mwhs/ orhttp://womenshealth.gov

The Third Annual Festival of Peace

September 16, 2007: from 1-5:00 pm

Fellowship of Reconciliations headquarters, 521 N. Broadway

Nyack, New York

Telephone (845) 358-4601, ext. 32

E-mail [email protected].

2007 CNVS Annual Conference

Working for Peace Serving for Justice

September 20-23, 2007

Chicago. IL


Website: www.cnvs.org

Global Economics Workshop

October 17-19, 2007

Partners for Global Justice

New York City, near United Nations

Telephone: 212-682-6481


USCMA Annual Conference

October 26-28, 2007

Wyndham Garden Hotel &

Woodward Conference Center

Austin, TX

Telephone: 202-832-3112

Website: www.uscatholicmission.org

Resources and Up-Coming Events

Page 19



ORBIS BOOKS RECEIVED AT USCMA


20/20


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The Spirit

is the life of all creatures; the

way in which everything is

penetrated with connectedness

and relatednessHildegarde of Bingen,

A Celebration of Spirit-Sophia

..the whole of creation is wait-

ing with eagerness for the chil-

dren of God to be revealed

that the whole creation itself

might be freed from its slaveryto corruption and brought into

the same glorious freedom as

the children of God.

Romans 8:21-22

Summer 2007 Mission Update Newsletter - Catholic Mission Association

Documents