Let's Get Together

Meetings. Since this new year began, there have been several fruitful gatherings of colleagues and collaborators.


First, in mid-January, there was the re-opening of the International Center for Missionary Animation (CIAM) in Rome, Italy. Dedicated to Blessed Father Paolo Manna, PIME, founder of the Missionary Union, one of the four Pontifical Mission Societies, the center is to be a place to form and to nurture the missionary spirit that motivates the support directed at the Church's worldwide missionary efforts. Our international secretary general of the Missionary Union, Father Vito Del Prete, PIME, led the prayers in the restored chapel at CIAM. My predecessor as national director, the late Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, was a major benefactor of CIAM. In fact, his statue stands at the main entrance. How privileged to continue his legacy in missionary animation - particularly through the media, with our "Mission Lessons" radio messages and our newest audio documentary on Archbishop Sheen.

Two months later, in mid-March, more than 20 nations in North America and South America were represented during a weeklong meeting of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Orlando, Florida. Discussed were plans for the Fourth American Missionary Congress, as well as other matters related to mission animation and cooperation. We also offered solidarity to the people of Haiti and personally demonstrated our support to Father Clarck de la Cruz, national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in that suffering country, who joined us for the meeting. How wonderful to be with brother and sister national directors in this "one family in mission," as well as with Father Timothy Lehane, SVD, international secretary general of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith from Rome - all of us gathered to encourage the missionary spirit in the Americas, so that the Church's mission to all nations might be better served.


Finally, just last week, directors and staff from diocesan offices of the Pontifical Mission Societies came together in Chicago for our annual meeting - or what I like to call our "family reunion." Through the wonder of technology, those who couldn't be physically present with us April 27 to 29 were there "virtually," as we live streamed the presentations. You may watch archived video of our meeting by visiting our live stream site. You can learn more about our presenters at that meeting at our national meeting website; they included Father Mario Rodrigues, national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Pakistan. Bishop Daniel Walsh of Santa Rosa (top photo below), who represents world mission on the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis, was with us, spiritual mentor of our family. We even had a "visit" during our meeting from Rome - as we contacted Father Lehane in Rome via Skype; he attended the rest of the meeting from there, sending us a message of his prayerful solidarity - and his applause - from across the ocean.






With us in person was the international secretary general of the Society of St. Peter Apostle, Monsignor Jan Dumon (center photo above), who offered appreciation for the work of inspiring contributions to this society for the formation of local priests, as well as Religious Sisters and Brothers. My gratitude to our Chicago mission office, led by Sister Madge Karecki, SSJ-TOSF (photo right), our local hosts. How wonderful to gather as "one family in mission," sharing and praying together so as to better serve our brothers and sisters in the Missions.

Meetings - graced moments to join minds and grateful hearts in support of bringing the "Good News" of Jesus to all peoples, in all times.