Mission Update
United States
Changing the Climate on Climate Change: A Mission Perspective
Our IHM community consid-
ers sustainability a moral
mandate for the 21st century.
Our growing ecological con-
sciousness places all humans
in interdependent relation-
ships to one another and to all
life on the planet (from
Mission for the Millennium:
The Sustainable Renovation
of the Motherhouse of the
Sisters, Servants of the Im-
maculate Heart of Mary,
Monroe, Michigan). The
sisters did not simply write a
nice document. Knowing
their motherhouse needed a
renovation, they took that
need as an opportunity and a
challenge. Our community
was inspired, through learning
and prayer, to renovate our
home and to renew our cam-
pus and our lives in ways that
express our commitment to
sustainable living.
1
Forest devastation in Brazil
Volume 16, Issue 2
Catholic Mission Association
The result of their discern-
ment is a vision for their 280-
acre Monroe, Michigan cam-
pus as a learning laboratory
for living sustainably. Fol-
lowing the three Rs Re-
duce, Re-use and Recycle
the sisters salvaged what they
could from the existing build-
ing to use in the renovated
space and learned how to
reduce their impact on the
environment. (To learn more
and see photos go to
www.ihmsisters.org)
The Maryknoll Office for
Global Concerns has identi-
fied global climate change as
a current critical challenge.
In Global Climate Change:
The most critical challenge in
the 21st century, the Office
offers some reflections. As
people of faith we
[Maryknoll] wish to join our
US Catholic Mission Association
Summer 2007
We Pray
voices with those of many that , aware of their own
others calling for radical missionary duty,
change in human behavior.
Addressing climate change is all Christians may
most fundamentally a moral
and spiritual issue. We see actively help
many signs indicating that
people are becoming aware of all those
the impact human actions are engaged in the
having on global climate, the
need to take immediate steps evangelization of
to mitigate the effects of these
actions, the urgency of find- peoples.
ing alternatives to destructive Benedict XVI
behaviors, and the necessity
of developing adaptations to
the inescapable impact of In This Issue
global climate change. Changing the Climate... 1
From the Director 2
Work is being done around
the world by different From the President 2
Maryknoll missioners. Fr.
Mission Stories 6
Frank Higdon, in Joao Pessoa,
Gods Asian Tapestry Center
Brazil, serves with the
Churchs Pastoral Land Com- Maryknoll Study Program 14
mission for the protection of
the rain forest and indigenous New Presidency of Pax 14
peoples rights. Sr. Margarita Christi International
Jamias in Baguio, Philippines Name That Country 14
models a zero waste project
What USCMA Members are 15
and teaches neighborhoods saying
how to create and implement
recycling centers. Lay Mis- Book Reviews 16
sioner Phil Dahl-Bredine Conference Brochure 17
works in Oaxaca, Mexico in
the Farmer-to-Farmer pro- Missiology Meetings 18
gram for sustainable agricul- What the Church can 18
ture and watershed recovery learn...
and preservation.
Receive MISSION UPDATE 18
Electronically.
Sisters Noreen McCarthy and
Rachel Kunkler direct an in- Resources & Upcoming 19
Events
contd on p. 3 Orbis Books 19
Mission Update
From the Executive Director
Rev. Michael Montoya, MJ
Stop presenting yourselves as non-profit.
Name your impact! This message has been
repeated time and time again by Tom Suddes
of the For Impact Group. Our impact, our
vision is what people will be drawn into.
Their willingness to be part of and be cham-
pions of the association is determined by the
groups impact to effect change and trans-
form lives. Youre in sales, get over it! The
way we present ourselves, how we name our
vision, and how we invite people to be part of
that 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 that
we give face to what mission is in the US
Catholic 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 in
Gods mission! Our experiences, our stories,
together with the stories of those we journey
with in our mission response, give face to
mission and how we as US Catholics partici-
pate in that mission. Our lives as missioners
and the lives of the people we encounter give
life to US Catholic mission. We celebrate this
mission identity and accept the challenge and
responsibilities that come with the claim.
As USCMA members, there are 3 things we
can do. First, be an advocate for USCMA
and its projects whether you are a member
of a religious community, a director of Di-
ocesan mission office, a member of a lay
mission group, a leader in the parish, some-
one connected to your school, a student, a
professional, or retired. As part of the flesh
and blood of USCMA, your personal advo-
cacy for USCMA helps the association to
achieve its goals. Second, invite others to
participate and be part of the organization.
Person to person invitation is always the best
form of invitation. Your own story and your
own commitment to mission are the best ad
for USCMA. Third, make a commensurate
contribution to USCMA. Your commitment
to 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 whole
mission enterprise of the US Church.
Page 2
In this issue of the Mission Update, you will
see the last of the series of comments that you,
as members, are saying about USCMA. I am
sure that more pages can be added. We want
those messages to reach the ears of those
whom 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 Mission
Conference, which will be held in Austin,
Texas on October 26-28, 2007. The theme
Are not our hearts burning? Spirituality of
Mission in the 21st Century, hopes to engage
and deepen our own spirituality of mission,
and promote a spirituality that is relevant to
the varied contexts of our missionary work.
We are happy to have two world renowned
speakers/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. For
more information, feel free to visit our website
www.uscatholicmission.org or call us at 202-
832-3112.
Meanwhile, enjoy reading the Mission Update.
The lead article Changing the Climate on
Global Climate Change gives us a hopeful
look at what could be an overwhelming prob-
lem of global climate change. Our missioners
are once again leading the way through inno-
vative, creative, and faith-filled responses to
the challenge.
The Periodic Paper is a reflection of James
Kroeger, MM on the first Asian Mission Con-
gress held last year in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
The focus on telling the story of Jesus in Asia
that engages the stories of the people is indeed
as John Paul II has said an evocative peda-
gogy (EA 20g) that while so characteristic of
Asian methodology in teaching can truly in-
form our approaches to mission.
May the blessings of these summer months
warm your hearts and keep enkindling the
passion for Gods mission in your hearts!
USCMA Staf f
Rev. 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
Questions/Comments re: Mission Update / Current Topics
E-Mail: uscma@uscatholicmission.org
US Catholic Mission Association
Summer 2007
From the President of the Board:
Sr. Mary McGlone, CSJ
Dear Friends in USCMA,
Happy Summer or Winter Days depending
which part of our globe you inhabit. As I
write 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 have
sent out, with the speakers who accepted our
invitation, 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 seasoned
missioners know how much our mission
scene has changed. Before long, the majority
of people involved in mission will be what
we now might call non-traditional: part-
time, lay, young, retired, volunteer All
faithful people who are generously giving of
themselves and reaping uncounted rewards as
they build up our Church. USCMA needs to
respond to these folks, to give them a larger
forum in which to share their stories and
learn 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-style
missioners you know and are working with
and encourage them to join us. It is only as
we get more of them involved that we can be
true to our name as the U.S. Catholic Mission
Association. Please, set a goal for yourself to
invite 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 to
continue the mission of Jesus in our time and
place.
meetings@uscatholicmission.org
news@uscatholicmission.org
Web Site: www.uscatholicmission.org
Mission Update Summer 2007

contd from page 1

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 and
gives workshops on organic agriculture as her ministry in
Darien, 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 at
Maryknoll, NY, facilitated the drafting of the Maryknoll Sis-
ters Land Ethic and are engaged in implementing earth-
friendly, environmentally sustainable practices at the
Maryknoll Sisters Center. Sr. Aurelia Atencio in the Prela-
ture of Juli, Peru, works with indigenous farmers in organic
farming to create a seed bank. Fr. Herb Gappa spent more
than 20 years inspiring his parishioners in Bariadi, Tanzania
in the work of preserving and enhancing the forest watershed
and Bariadi River.
We see with our own eyes that poor people in our country
and in poor countries often lack the resources and capacity to
adapt and avoid the negative consequences of climate
change. Their lives, homes, children and work are most at
risk. John Carr, Secretary of the USCCB Department of
Social Development and World Peace testified at a Senate
hearing in early June about the human costs of climate
change.
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 with
environmental causes calls for a need to strengthen the links be-
tween environmental and humanitarian activities, stressed
Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Permanent Observer of the Holy
See to the United Nations, speaking in Columbus, OH in April
2007.
At its core, global climate change is not about economic theory
or political platforms, nor about partisan advantage or interest
group pressures. It is about the future of Gods creation and the
one human family. It is about protecting both the human envi-
ronment and the natural environment. It is about our human
stewardship and our responsibility to those who come after
us. (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

A number of Medical Mission Sisters in England are actively

engaged 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 climate
change. Four Medical Mission Sisters in England visit par-
ishes in all parts of the country for mission promotion and as
part of their talks they encourage parishioners to become part
of these campaigns, because the worst effects are always
felt by people living in poverty with whom we are working
in some of the poorest countries of the world. The sisters
also promote the participation of parishes in becoming eco-
congregations.

Sean McDonagh, a Columban missionary priest spoke in

Washington, DC at a discussion on climate change in May
2007. Part of his challenge to participants was to develop
God-talk about the environment: evolve a theology, spiritu-
ality and missiology which is sensitive to the presence of
God in the natural world. Fr. McDonagh has researched
and written many books and articles on climate change since
his years working in the Philippines.

contd on page 4

US Catholic Mission Association Page 3

Mission Update
contd from page 3
listed below just a few resource ideas that can be used by indi-
viduals, families, teachers, religious communities, and church
congregations.
Faithful Stewards of Gods Creation: a Catholic Resource for
Environmental Justice and Climate Change, USCCB, 2007
includes a wealth of prayers, worship hints, preaching ideas
and personal actions, as
well as, a CD-ROM. Cop-
ies are available for sale in
English at http://
www.usccbpublishing.org/
searchproducts.cfm. A mobilizing a religious response to global warming in congrega-
smaller version in Spanish,
Cambio Climtico Global
is also available at the same
website.
Composting is something
that individuals, families,
schools, community groups
2
Composting helps prevent erosion into can do even with just a
an Australian stream. small space. Not only does
composting cut down on a
significant amount of municipal solid waste, the end result has
many benefits for the environment. For information on how to
compost, check the EPA website: http://epa.gov/compost.
Instead of sending flowers or other memorial gifts, plant a tree
in the memory of a loved one. Read Leaf a Legacy, Plant a
Tree 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, at
school and at church. It is available on DVD.
Penguins on Thin Ice uses music to share both inspiration
and scientific information about global climate change and
what 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 office
and on the road. The EPA also has free instructional materials
that are fun and educational for children. For more information,
go to http://epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/ORWKit.html.
The Green Guide provides a wealth of information on many
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;
Guinea-Bissau; k) Thailand; l) Namibia; m) Equatorial Guinea; n) Bangladesh.
Page 4 US Catholic Mission Association
Summer 2007
aspects of living green including gift buying, lawn care, house-
cleaning products and such. They have a checklist one can use
to determine carbon emissions and actions to reduce them. Its
easy, its fun, its helpful.
Go to http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/119/calculator#.
It is also possible to receive weekly e-newsletters from The
Green Guide that are easy to read and understand and store for
future reference. Their website is www.thegreenguide.com.
Regeneration Project helps to deepen the connection between
ecology and faith. Their Interfaith Power and Light campaign is
tions through the promotion of renewable energy, energy effi-
ciency, and conservation. To learn more about Interfaith Power
and Light programs in the US and how to become an affiliate of
an Interfaith Power & Light program read the website http://
www.theregenerationproject.org/index.htm or contact The Re-
generation Project at: info@theregenerationproject.org or call
415-561-4891.
There is no dearth of actions and helps that each of us can do to
play our part in this current challenge. The list above is just the
beginning. Energy checklists are readily available. The Internet
is full of links to programs and action groups. In the words of
Archbishop Migli-
ore, as children of
God we are chal-
lenged by the Gene-
sis story to protect,
not destroy, the cos-
mos. With hu-
mans open to love,
creation becomes
the place for the
mutual exchange of
3
gifts among people. Recycling in the United Kingdom.
USCMA Resolution on climate change
At our 2006 Annual Meeting members approved a Resolution
urging members to actions. It is our hope that members will
make a renewed commitment to follow through with these:
Become thoroughly familiar with and promote stewardship
of the earth as integral to the gospel message and as
expressed in the Bishops recent policy statements
noted 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-
h) Malawi; i) Iran; j)
Mission Update Summer 2007

veloped and developing nations.

Seek ways of educating ourselves and our co-workers by
making efforts to change systems and structures that
are 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 to
generate an environmental impact statement for each
and every institution over which we, the members,
have direct control, and to be followed by a plan of
action for improving the efficient stewardship of all
persons associated with our own institutions.
Contact your Senators and Congressional representatives
to urge greater US leadership to address climate
change 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 by
4
Jeffords and Boxer by going to View of the Blue Marble from space.

http://thomas.loc.gov/home/c109query.html
2
Composting to prevent erosion, photo courtesy of
We also strongly urge you to assist your bishop in sending www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/composting/benefits.htm
a 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 3
Recycling courtesy of www.merton.gov.uk/living/
both the House and Senate. http://www.usccb.org/ environment/recycling
sdwp/international/globalclimate.htm
4
Photograph of Earth from space taken December 7, 1972 by
Photograph Credits: Apollo astronauts en route to the moon. NASA created the
1
Brazilian forest devastation with Brazilian Indians, courtesy photo and it is therefore in the public domain. It is one of
of Reuters News Agency through Planet Ark, http:// the few photographs where the entire disc of the earth is
planetark.org/envpicshome.cfm illuminated.

It is now possible
to register for the 2007 Annual U.S. Catholic Mission Association

Conference participates in the

online!!
Combined Federal Campaign (CFC).
For several months we had problems with Please remember us as you
the website that prevented us from updating make your donations.
information. We apologize for any incon- We also appreciate you telling
venience. There are two places on the site your friends
that link to online registration: on the home
page in the upper left column, and, under about our participation.
Events, go to Annual Mission Conference Thank you!

US Catholic Mission Association Page 5

Mission Update
Mission Stories
GRADUATION SONGS FROM COSTA RICA
by Anna Hickner
Upon coming to Costa Rica, I knew it was God who
led me to La Casa de Maria Auxiliadora. I work daily with
girls who come from disintegrated families, abuse, drugs
and poverty. In the first few months of my stay here, there
were many uncomfortable situations I had to confront, but
the hardest was probably adjusting to the culture of pov-
erty. These girls were not just economically poor, but poor
in spirit, education and hope. I knew I wanted to help, but
I didnt exactly know how. Thus, I decided to go back to
God, and the talents he gave me.
I have been writing music since Ive been 16 years
old, and I always wanted to write songs in Spanish, but
didnt 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. I
asked them for poems that I could put to music. My peti-
tion was very well received by the ninth grade girls, who
not only gave me poems but hopes, dreams and prayers.
With their words, I was able to write two songs for their
graduation. As cliche as it sounds, I will never forget the
change on their faces; eyes I hadnt known until they
looked up when I started to sing and teach them the words
and melody. As smiles started to appear, I felt like I finally
connected 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 carry
from this experience was the walk from the classroom to
the piano, arm and arm with Paola, singing our song, in
harmony. 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 of
Costa Rica. At times it was the girls guiding me, at times it
was me guiding them, but resulted in something that we
could share together and something I will continue to util-
ize this semester to reach out to more girls. I knew God
brought me to Costa Rica and La Casa de Maria Auxili-
adora for a reason, I just didnt know why. Now I know
why.
Al llegar a Costa Rica, supe que era Dios quin me
llam a La Casa de Maria Auxiliadora. Cada da trabajo
con 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.
Page 6 US Catholic Mission Association
Summer 2007
abuso, drogas y pobreca. Du-
rante los primeros meses de mi
estancia aqu, haban muchas
situaciones difciles que tuve que
enfrentar, pero lo ms difcil fue
acostumbrarme 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 saba
exactamente cmo. Decid con- Anna Hickner, 23, is a cur-
fiar en Dios y en los dones que rent Francis Corps Volun-
me ha dado. teer ministering at La Casa
de Maria Auxiliadora in San
He compuesto msica desde Jose, Costa Rica. A 2006
que tena 16 aos y siempre he graduate of St. Marys Col-
querido componer canciones en lege (Notre Dame, IN),
espaol, pero no saba cmo em- Anna is a native of Chi-
pezar. Con el apoyo de Sor Lia, cago, IL. She plans a fu-
mi directora, lanc un mini- ture in counseling, psychol-
proyecto para colaborar con las ogy, and/or social work.
muchachas para escribir unas
canciones. Les ped unos poemas a las cuales podra pon-
erles msica. Mi peticin fue bien recibida por las
muchachas 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 que
me 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 que
voy 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 yo
que 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.
 Periodic Paper #2
Gods Asian Tapestry
Reflections on the First Asian Mission Congress
By James H. Kroeger, MM

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

Tapestries are a specialized form of art. Us-
ing subtle colors and richly textured fibers, the artist
weaves an inspiring piece, capturing people in their
uniqueness, 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 a
moving work of art, often a masterpiece.
Peoples and cultures across the centuries
have used and perfected this form of hand-woven
fabric. 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 to
detail. Tapestries can evoke deep reflection and
insight into the beauty of life.
The First Asian Mission Congress, held in
Thailand in October 2006, noted in its final mes-
sage: All the colors, peoples, languages, cultures,
values, religions, and arts of Asias peoples formed
one great tapestry. The story of Jesus became the
unique congress thread that wove all these dimen-
sions and experiences of life into one multifaceted
design. With hindsight, one can partially capture the
beauty of this Mission Congress by examining some
of the diverse threads that were woven together into
a 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, northern
Thailand was to be a celebration of faith and life.
The first stated congress goal was to share the joy
and enthusiasm of our faith in Jesus Christ and to
celebrate our faith in Asian language, song, story,
art, music, symbol, and architecture. Next, this ap-
proach sought to move from a celebratory phase
into concrete Asian ways of mission though witness
US Catholic Mission Association
in the midst of life realities. It also moves to a
deepened awareness about the renewed under-
standing of mission ad gentes during and since the
Second 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 encouraging
our brethren in their mission as evangelizers so
that they may accomplish their task with ever in-
creasing love, zeal and joy (EN 1). In the Asian
context where the Church is a small minority, truly a
little flock, (less than 3% of the vast multitudes of
Asia), mutual encouragement is constantly needed
and appreciated. Thanks to the Holy Spirit, the prin-
cipal agent of evangelization, congress delegates
experienced renewed joy in being truly Catholic and
truly Asian; they departed for their home Churches
with renewed enthusiasm. Many hearts were set
ablaze in that New Upper Room (the congress hall
of the Lotus Hotel in Chiang Mai). A renewed joy of
evangelizing permeated the more than 1,000 par-
ticipants!
AN ASIAN APPROACH. The Mission Con-
gress tapestry was to be woven through a carefully
chosen methodology: story-telling in faith or
narrative 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 relationships
with God and others.
The keynote congress address by master-
weaver Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle identified eight
Page 1
Periodic Paper #2
dimensions of story-telling that help the Church un-
derstand her evangelizing mission in Asia: (1) Good
stories emerge from experience; the Church tells
the Jesus-story from its experience of Jesus; (2)
Stories reveal personal identity and the formative
influence of people and events; the Jesus-story
manifests the identity of the Church among the peo-
ples (especially the poor), religions, and cultures of
Asia; (3) Stories are dynamic and transformative;
the Church keeps the memory of Jesus dynamically
alive; (4) Stories help interpret spiritual, doctrinal,
and ethical symbols, and the Jesus-story provides
meaning to the Churchs symbols of faith.
Tagle continued weaving his artistic design
by showing: (5) Stories create community; the story
of Jesus generates the Church; (6) When received,
stories transform the listener; the Church must listen
to Jesus story and be renewed by it; (7) Just as sto-
ries can be narrated in a variety of ways, the Church
can tell the Jesus-story with a multiplicity of ap-
proaches; finally, (8) Stories of individuals and
whole peoples can be suppressed; thus, the Church
must 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 in
Asia today.
EXPERIENCING ASIAN-NESS. For all
the participants, the Mission Congress was a rich
experience of the great diversity of Asia and her 3.6
billion 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 as
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, from Mongolia,
Myanmar (Burma), and China, from Bangladesh,
Nepal, and Cambodia. They brought with them their
stories, cultures, experiences and, above all, their
faith and love of Jesus and his Church. One heard
numerous languages being spokenas diverse as
those heard on the first Pentecost. People eagerly
shared 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 tapestry
at the congress was overwhelming and marvelous.
This first Asian Mission Congress was the
Page 2 US Catholic Mission Association
Summer 2007
largest event ever sponsored by the FABC
(Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences); dele-
gates to the FABC plenary assemblies held every
four yearsthere have been eight to date
usually number around 300 persons at the maxi-
mum. To have participated in this congress
meant a total immersion in Asian-ness. And, for
the majority of delegates, it was a new, enriching
encounter that they had never before experi-
enced. People, Gods People, coming from every
race, family, and nation in Asiaall assembled,
hearing about the marvels of God. Everyone
was amazed and astonished; they asked one an-
other what it all meant (cf. Acts 2:11-12).
FABCs TRIPLE DIALOGUE. Since its
first plenary assembly in Taipei in 1974 which fo-
cused on Evangelization in Modern Day Asia, the
FABC has developed an Asian Paradigm for
missionary evangelization. The paradigm focuses
on the building up of truly inculturated local
Churches. The operative approach is the distinc-
tive mode of dialogue. The dialogue partners of
the local Church are Asias peoples (especially the
poor), Asias cultures and religions. This Asian
Way of being Church, commonly termed the
triple dialogue, shaped the thematic structure of
the entire congress.
Brief opening ceremonies were held on the
evening of October 18. The first full day (October
19) was devoted to the story of Jesus in the Peo-
ples of Asia. The faith sharers or story-tellers
focused on the elderly and the family, two key
segments of Asias population. Delegates met for
the first time in their workshops and reflected on
their 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 role
of Jesus in the Religions of Asia. An interesting
panel presentation addressed four of the living
faiths in Asia: Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and
Tribals/Indigenous. Workshops responded to the
question: What do I appreciate in the followers of
other religions in my country?
The morning of the next day (October 21)
centered on the Cultures of Asia; participants
Periodic Paper #2
heard faith sharings on consumerism, media,
migrants, youth, and interfaith relationships. After-
noon workshops reflected on this question: What
practices or traditions in my culture best express
the Gospel of Jesus?
The final day of the congress was World
Mission Sunday (October 22). The final faith
sharer 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 Mission
Sunday 2006 Eucharistic Celebration, presided by
Crescenzio Cardinal Sepe, the Special Envoy of
the Pope.
Five days, October 18-22, 2006, days filled
with stories of faith, enriched by intercultural shar-
ing, deepened by theological reflection, celebrat-
ing faith and life! These days added new meaning
to the FABC and its mission in Asia. Terming the
FABC 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 would
be incomplete if one failed to mention the role of
theological-missiological reflection that was inte-
grally interwoven into the fabric. Each day time
was allotted for a formal reflection on the
Churchs understanding of her evangelizing mis-
sion in Asia. Fathers Julian Saldanha, SJ, Proper
Grech, OSA, Savio Hon Tai Fai, SDB, James
Kroeger, MM, and John Prior, SVD were invited to
enhance and deepen the faith sharers story-
telling and the feedback from the discussion
groups. Once again, this missiological reflection
followed the FABCs triple-dialogue pattern.
The full title or theme of this First Asian
Mission Congress was: The Story of Jesus in
Asia: A Celebration of Faith and Life. Faith was
clearly evidentin many and diverse ways. Par-
ticipants seemed to be brimming with joyful faith
and enthusiasm from their arrival until their depar-
ture; their spontaneous faith perdured through a
very full and exhausting congress schedule. In-
digenous saints and blessedespecially the mar-
tyrscontinue to be vibrant faith influences on
US Catholic Mission Association
Summer 2007
Asias Catholics. A clear expression of gratitude
was heard for the self-sacrificing missionaries who
labored to bring the Christian faith to Asia. A mar-
velous musical drama with over 400 student per-
formers portrayed how the faith arrived and took
root in Thailand. Personal journeys of faith were
spontaneously shared in the small discussion
groups.
Prayer in many forms seemed to be like a
golden 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; Telesphore
Placidus Toppo, Ranchi). Creative morning
prayers, 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 in
a special chapel. National groups sang their indige-
nous songs for communion-time meditation. There
was the recitation of the mission rosary and a holy
hour before the Blessed Sacrament on the Friday
evening of the congress; confessions were available
during morning prayer and the holy hour. A large
Jesus-Asia mission cross was given to each coun-
try delegation during the closing Eucharist; each
delegate received a smaller necklace version of the
mission cross. All received a special papal blessing
during the mass on World Mission Sunday. In a
word, prayer was woven well into the design of the
congress.
AN ASIAN TAPESTRY. As a specialized art form,
tapestry is unique. Woven from various threads
silk, wool, and cotton, bright and darka tapestry
reveals the artists imagination and design. Each
tapestry narrates a story, it captures life, it invites
reflection.
At the Asian Mission Congress, the Holy
Spirit wove a unique tapestry of the Story of Jesus
in Asia. How beautiful it was to witness the master-
weaver at work! Even the less than perfect threads
helped shape the final design.
Mission belongs to God, it is his project, his
Page 3
Periodic Paper #2
work, his masterpiece. Only Gods weaving is im-
portant. His thoughts, his ways, his artistry shape
the 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 his
work 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 is
with us; his life is our life. These affirmations cap-
ture our sentiments as the participants of the 2006
Asian Mission Congress. Gathered in Thailand, Oc-
tober 18-22, 2006, we express the same joyful faith
as Christs first disciples, who proclaimed: I have
seen the Lord (Jn. 20:18); It is the Lord (Jn. 21:7);
It is true: The Lord has risen (Lk. 24:34); My Lord
and my God (Jn. 20:28). The first disciples re-
joiced: their friend, their teacher, their prophet, their
compassionate healer, their beloved was miracu-
louslymysteriouslyalive. Fear and disappoint-
ment, trauma and devastation became faith and re-
joicing. Who could have expected? Who would
have dreamed?
Jesus comes personally to his followers. He
calls them by name: Mary of Magdala, Thomas, Pe-
ter, James, John. They recognize him. He speaks
words of peace and reconciliation. The disbelieving
disciples 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 Jesus
story. They go to places, near and far: James to
Jerusalem, Peter and Paul to Rome, Thomas to In-
Page 4 US Catholic Mission Association
Summer 2007
dia. Indeed, to encounter the Risen Lord is to be
sent on mission.
In Gods gracious providence, over 1,000
of us contemporary disciples of Jesus assembled
for the first-ever Asian Mission Congress. A spa-
cious, sprawling hotel in Chiang Mai, northern
Thailand, became the New Upper Room. We
gathered to share our experience, to tell our sto-
ries, to meet other disciples from across the vast
Asian continent, from Lebanon to Japan, from Ka-
zakhstan and Mongolia to Indonesia. We heard
inspiring stories, too numerous to count, stories of
life, faith, heroism, service, prayer, dialogue, and
proclamation. An infectious mood of joy pervaded
us. No one doubted the active presence of the
befriending Spirit of God. Together we celebrated
our faith and our life as disciples of Jesus through
sharing, listening, praying, celebrating the Eucha-
rist. The multiplicity of cultures and languages
added light and color to the celebration of our one
common 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, children
and women, BECs. We heard perspectives from
Islam, 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 conflicts
and religious tensions!
The Story of Jesus was the unique thread,
weaving all these life experiences into one grand
narrative. All the colors, peoples, languages, cul-
tures, values, religions, and arts of Asias peoples
formed one grand tapestry. Lord, how marvelous
are your ways! How deep your designs!
The world is full of stories. Human life is
unimaginable without stories. Stories tell us who
we are and they link us with other peoples, all
across 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-
Periodic Paper #2
nity. Stories contain a hidden dynamism and
transforming power, incalculably so when they
emerge from experience. They are remembered
much longer than lessons learned in school or
books that are read.
Jesus was known as a story-teller. As a
rabbi, a teacher, his favorite method of instruction
was telling parables, insightful vignettes that re-
vealed the depths of Gods Reign. Who does not
know the parable of the Good Samaritan or the
Prodigal Son? Jesus parables challenge us with
new possibilities in our relations with God and all
our brothers and sisters. Many might think of Je-
sus, who was born in Asia, as merely akin to the
great 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 love
story in the fleshGods Incarnate Story.
The Asian Mission Congress sought to en-
flesh many of the challenges found in Pope John
Paul IIs Ecclesia in Asia (EA): narrative methods
akin to Asian cultural forms are to be preferred. In
fact, the proclamation of Jesus Christ can most
effectively be made by narrating his story, as the
Gospels do (EA 20f). Pope John Paul II recom-
mends following an evocative pedagogy, using
stories, parables and symbols so characteristic of
Asian methodology in teaching (EA 20g).
The local Churches in Asia can be faithful
to Christs mission mandate by telling and retelling
the Jesus story both in words and effective deeds
of service. Repeatedly, the Church communicates
its faith that originates in its experience of Jesus.
The Holy Spirit, the Great Storyteller, guides the
Church in all situations to tell, especially through
the witness of a transformed life: what we have
heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we
have looked upon and touched with our hands; it
is none other than the Word of Life (cf. 1 Jn.
1:1). Mission means keeping the story of Jesus
alive, 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
US Catholic Mission Association
Summer 2007
talked with us on the road and explained the scrip-
tures to us (Lk. 24:32)? For us, the way to Chiang
Mai has become our Emmaus road. At the Mission
Congress 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 of Ecclesia in Asia resounded loudly: A fire
can only be lit by something that is itself on fire (EA
23b). The Church in Asia is to be a community
aflame with missionary zeal to make Jesus known,
loved and followed (EA 19a). Jesus casts fire on
the earth and prays that it be ablaze (cf. Lk. 12:49).
The Church in Asia shares his zeal that this fire be
re-kindled now (EA 18c). We know that our 2006
Mission Congress, sponsored by the Federation of
Asian 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 the
exchange of our faith-stories, has provided new per-
spectives for our task of dialoguing with the peoples
(especially the poor), the religions, and the cultures
of Asia (cf. FABC V: 3.1.2). The stories of Asias
poor today (beggars, people living with AIDS, mi-
grants, the outcasts) must be read within Jesus
story 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 most
suitable vehicle for communicating the Jesus story.
This task has a special urgency today in the multi-
ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural situation of
Asia (EA 21b). The insightful triple dialogue pro-
moted by the FABC for over three decades can be
accomplished in new and surprising ways (EA
20f)one of which is in the exchange of gifts
through the sharing of our lifes story.
At this First Asian Mission Congress we re-
discovered the joy of evangelization. Pope Paul
VIs words ring true; effective mission is to be done
with ever increasing love, zeal and joy (Evangelii
Nuntiandi, EN 1). Jesus disciples must proclaim
with joy the Good News which one has come to
know through the Lords mercy (EN 80).
We, the Congress participants, commit our-
selves to carry home to our own communities, new
Page 5
Periodic Paper #2
insights into the story of Jesus, particularly its
Asian dimensions. We seek to be on fire, ready to
bring home vivid and inspiring stories, which could
light the flame of mission in young hearts. We wish
to follow Jesus words to the possessed person
(the scriptural passage we adopted at the Con-
gress): Go home to your own people and tell them
what the Lord in his mercy has done for you (Mk.
5:19).
We seek to approach evangelization in an
Asian way, an evocative way through stories, par-
ables and symbols, a method so characteristic of
Asian pedagogy, as Pope John Paul II has so per-
ceptively noted. It is, therefore, a way of sharing
our faith with others, an authentic path of dialogue.
Still, we who believe in this distinctive approach to
evangelization will also not be timid when God
opens the door for us to proclaim explicitly the Lord
Jesus Christ as the Savior and the answer to the
fundamental questions of human existence (FABC
V: 4.3).
On this World Mission Sunday we thank the
Lord of the harvest for the countless missionaries
who have come to serve in Asia through the centu-
ries. We prayerfully commend to the Lords love
and protection the thousands from Asia who now
serve in various parts of the globe.
We beseech Mary, our Mother and the Star
of Evangelization, to intercede for us that our
hearts may remain on fire with love of Jesus her
Son, whose story we shall tell and retell through
words, 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 Asian
Mission Congress, we the participants have identi-
fied the following important areas of concern which
we consider as priorities for our missionary task in
Asia, and we commit ourselves to implement them:
Page 6 US Catholic Mission Association
Summer 2007
The Story of Jesus in Our Life
We will make the story of Jesus come alive
through our personal encounter with the Risen
Lord through:
a deeper study and living of the Word of
God in such a way that the
power of Jesus story transforms our life
cultivating a habit of recognizing the story
of Jesus in ones own personal
life, in all our experiences, particularly, in
our struggles and pains, joys
and sorrows
making the celebrations of the community
especially the Eucharist as
powerful moments of encounter in which
the story of Jesus comes alive
through 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 of
Asia 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 the
dialogue of life with the peoples
of Asia
learning to recognize the presence of the
story of Jesus in the stories of
trauma, exclusion, sufferings and poverty
as well as in their other varied
experiences of life
learning the art of eagerly awaiting the
opportune moment to share
Jesus story as Gods gift for the fullness
of life
Periodic Paper #2 Summer 2007

The Story of Jesus in Peoples of Other Faiths collective levelsall the more
so when such values are being eroded by
We will: consumerism, materialism

recognize our ignorance and prejudice and other forces with the support of the
(individual and collective) by media and the market

taking concrete steps to acquaint our- promote a culture of service, compassion,

selves with other religious traditions disciplined life, meditation,

develop in our educational and formation silence, simplicity, reconciliation and har-
institutes, especially in our mony

seminaries, such positive attitudes of un- take concrete steps to integrate local festi-
derstanding and respect vals and cultural forms of

towards other religions expression such as dance and music, art

form families to grow in openness and a
humble 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 the
Christian faith and practices
and architecture
introduce with proper catechesis incultura-
tion at all levels of our life so
that we can effectively present the Asian
face of Jesus to our sisters and
brothers in Asia
Follow-up

offer more effective pastoral care for those
in mixed marriages and other
interreligious situations
The Story of Jesus in the Cultures of Asia
We will:
integrate positive cultural values of Asia
as mentioned in Ecclesia in Asia
into our Christian livingat personal and
We appeal to each Episcopal conference to
organize national/regional Mission Congresses in
such way as to effectively promote a renewed
sense of mission of TELLING THE STORY OF JE-
SUS in an Asian way to the peoples of Asia. We
hope that the above measure, among others, will
revitalize 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!

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: uscma@uscatholicmission.org Web site: www.uscatholicmission.org

US Catholic Mission Association Page 7

Mission Update Summer 2007

MARYKNOLL EXPANDS FREE CLASSROOM STUDY PROGRAM

Maryknoll is teaming-up with Catholic middle
and secondary schools across the country to
teach students about mission, other cultures
and geography absolutely free of charge. The
program introduces students to real-life heroes
and the people whom they serve.
In the MARYKNOLL magazine classroom pro-
gram, each month from September through
May, every student is given a MARYKNOLL
magazine. The teachers are provided with an
accompanying 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 to
reach out to others with Christ-like compassion.
The coordinator of the program, MARYKNOLL
magazines managing editor Marge Gaughan,
says the missioners featured in MARYKNOLL
magazine serve as role models for service.
A big advantage for teachers, says Gaughan,
is that we provide a ready-made lesson plan
focusing on one article that we feel would ap-
peal to most youth. Many teachers go beyond
this and devise their own questions for other
articles.
Educators acknowledge students today are
very media-oriented, and that teachers need
many different approaches to satisfy that. Many
teachers have told Maryknoll the classroom
program is a good supplement not only to reli-
gious studies but social studies too.
Gaughan says she hopes this program will
eventually involve parents as well, to teach
them about mission and involve them in the cur-
riculum. She says the program provides stu-
dents with the kind of insight they dont get from
standard textbooks.
Our program opens up students to the needs
of the world and its people.
For more information, visit them on the web at
www.maryknoll.org/classroom or phone toll free
1-888-627-9566.

New Presidency of Pax Christi International Name That Country

This was taken from the July-August 1977 issue
Pax Christi International has elected Archbishop of Mission Intercom.
Laurent Monsengwo and Marie Dennis as the new
Presidents of Pax Christi International at their An- To how many of the countries listed below can
nual General Assembly taking place 28 April 2007 you give the contemporary name? Answers on
in Antwerp, Belgium. Their 3 years mandate as co- page 4.
presidents begins at the Triennial World Assembly
of Pax Christi International, which will take place a) Basutoland b) British Honduras
from 30 October to 4 November 2007 in Torhout/ c) Ceylon d) Congo Leopoldville
Bruges. The present International President, H.B.
Michel Sabbah, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, e) Dutch Guyana f) Formosa
will remain in office until 3 November 2007. g) French Sudan h) Nyassaland
i) Persia j) Portuguese Guinea
We congratulate Marie who is the Director of the
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, one of our k) Siam l) South West Africa
partner organizations. m) Spanish Guinea n) West Pakistan

Page 14 US Catholic Mission Association

Mission Update
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.
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 my
vision, 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 mission
entrusted 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 what
mission is.
USCMA is important due to the fact it can attract ALL the actors
and factors of mission to create the place for the dialogue to happen. It can
serve 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 awakened
the 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 very
wide variety of people interested in mission.
For the Church, USCMA provides a forum for dialogue and a place
or 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 US
Church is that it clearly represents the thoughts and desires of the Catholic
people to serve and live out its baptismal promises. It opens up the doors to
possibilities of service throughout the world and it brings people together as
one Catholic family.
Luisa Ortega, SFO
More than an organization, USCMA is a movement that constantly renews the
fundamental missionary spirit of the Church, promoting dialogue, conscious-
ness raising, and a commitment to justice.
Joseph Jablonski
US Catholic Mission Association
Summer 2007
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 and
hope 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, and
people committed to mission in many forms. Also, a source of information, on-
going education, and encouragement for dedicated individuals who often feel
dis-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 to
proclaim the Good News I have received, to share with others. I look back and
see each step following the previous. USCMA encourages me along the way
to a deeper understanding of mission: my mission within Gods mission.
USCMA stands within the Church as a witness to the baptismal
call to mission we all receive. USCMA members are salt to the earth and light
to 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 focus
states in the current brochure I affirm this why and what completely. I
would 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 secular
ends. and also risks becoming social activism - especially among younger
people (or the other extreme every social action as a covert evangelical
crusade to convert the other).
Animating the Church Bishops Dioceses- Parishes as well as
lay, 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 which
crosses both culture and genders
Sr. Janet Carroll, MM
Via the Congresses & Conferences, I am challenged, inspired, informed and
propelled forward. USCMA is vital to me because it is my principal vehicle for
meeting our worldwide Church; without the USCMA, I would often be unable
to feel & comprehend the true catholic, universal church. USCMA meetings
are an invitation for the various generations of missioners to meet, exchange
(with) and inspire each other.
David Masters
Page 15
Mission Update
BOOK REVIEWS
Concepts of Mission, The Evolution of Contemporary Missiology by Andrew Oborji
Missions and Money by Jonathan Bonk
Two recent Orbis publications are important addi-
tions to current mission studies. Francis Anekwe
Oborji, a Nigerian diocesan priest, has written Con-
cepts of Mission: The Evolution of Contemporary
Missiology 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 South
where Church is now so strong and growing; Oborji
can talk about inculturation and inter-cultural dia-
logue from a perspective different from much of what
we read. Moving beyond basic issues in mission and
Missiology as well historical perspectives of mission
Oborji includes a section on New Perspectives. An
important contribution to understanding of mission is
his Mission as Ecumenical Dialogue.
He points out there is a close bond between mission
and ecumenism. Ecumenical dialogue should today
be considered one of the churchs new ways of evan-
gelization. The objective of ecumenical dialogue is
to bring churches into closer contact with one another
for the sake of mission and its credibility.
The overall perspective is one in which God con-
ferred unity and therefore Christians are commanded
to preserve it or restore it where it has been broken
through human fault. This command of Jesus is
the authentic driving force for ecumenical dialogue.
Requiescant in pace.
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.
Page 16 US Catholic Mission Association
Summer 2007
With ecumenical dialogue the church continues her
missionary mandate, because division in the church
contradicts her essence and denies Jesus command.
In other words, the church needs union, not because
it is useful, desirable, or pleasant but because union
belongs to the essence of the life of the church.
Oborjis discussion of Third World theologies from
a Catholic perspective is valuable. He shows the
significance of dialogue with contextual theologies
for 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 this
new context his argument that an imbalance in the
relative wealth of evangelizer-missionaries and those
among whom they work distorts the transmission
and inculturation of the Gospel.
An addition to the new edition is the section Faith
and Wealth in the Hebrew Scriptures and the Early
Church that strengthens the books theological un-
derpinnings.
While addressing Protestant churches the issues
Bonk raises certainly resonate with Catholic mis-
sionary efforts as well.
Sr. Lorena Bolte, OP, died on July 4, 2007 in a car
accident 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.
Mission Update Summer 2007

Are not our hearts burning? invites us to look at our own mission
journeys in the midst of the challenges of the 21st century. It asks us
to 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 we
enter this sacred space and time to encounter the fire that burns
but never consumes alive in the stories of mission that we hold
deeply in our hearts. Like Moses in the encounter, and the disci-
ples of Emmaus, we hope to renew and deepen our passion for
Gods 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

REGISTRATION FEE: (Includes meeting materials, refresh- FAMILIES IN MISSION

ments, and meals) SAM & CECILIA ESPINOZA-STANTON
USCMA member $295 ($310 after September 31)
PARISHES AND DIOCESES IN MISSION
non USCMA member $310 ($335 after September 31)
JUDY GOMILA, MSC & REV. JAMES JEANFREAU
non USCMA member plus
one year USCMA membership $350 ($375 after September 31) VOLUNTEERS IN MISSION
PLEASE CONTACT HOTEL DIRECTLY for Hotel ac- JIM LINDSAY & LUIS SERNA
commodation
MISSION AND RELIGIOUS LIFE
1-512 -448-2444 or 1-800-996-3426 TOM JOHNSON, FSC & SHALINI DSOUZA, SCN
Or online at www.wyndhamaustin.com

Mention USCMA Conference to get special rates!!! IMMIGRANTS IN MISSION

CECILE MOTUS & LINH HOANG, OFM

For more information call us at 202-832-3112

THE LONG AND SHORT OF
Or email us at meetings@uscatholicmission.org
MISSIONARY CHARISM
Visit our website at www.uscatholicmission.org GERALD ARBUCKLE

US Catholic Mission Association Page 17

Mission Update Summer 2007

Missiology Meetings What the Church can learn from

Stressing the importance for adequate preparation, appropriate
insertion into mission and supportive re-entry, Sr. Kathryn
Pierce, 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. With
its theme, Training for Cross-Cultural Mission, the meeting
held June 15-17, 2007 at Techny Towers, IL, provided an op-
portunity to learn specific models of mission training and ways
to improve it. Sr. Kathryn followed her first presentation with
a 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 2008
issue of the journal Missiology.
Teaching Mission Today: Texts and Topics proved to be an
excellent theme for the annual meeting of the Association of
Professors of Mission held at Techny Towers June 14-15,
2007. Four members spoke about their recent books and how
they have used the books in teaching. Roger Schroeder, SVD
and Steve Bevans, SVD reflected on Constants in Context, Stan
Nussbaum explained A 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 three
of these texts are frequently used in seminaries and universi-
ties.
dialogue with Asian religions:
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 about
filial 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 symbolism
and rites existing in their diversity of worship.
The Church can, like the Asian religions, learn to
be more open, receptive, sensitive, tolerant, and
forgiving in the midst of a plurality of religions.
Source: James Kroeger, The Future of the Asian
Churches, p. 14.
US Catholic Mission Association Offices
to be blessed
Archbishop 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

RECEIVE MISSION UPDATE ELECTRONICALLY

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 newsletter Mission 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 of Mission Update is available and include a link to the newsletter online.
If you are interested in receiving your Mission Update electronically please let us know.
Contact Sr. Michael Theresa Brauer at adminassist@uscatholicmission.org

Page 18 US Catholic Mission Association

Mission Update Summer 2007

Resources and Up-Coming Events

Workshop for Returned Missioners
September 18-28, 2007 in Omaha, NE A Women-Church Forum: Celebrating Catholic Feminist Ministries:
Nov. 1-4, 2007 in Philadelphia August 17-19, 2007:
From Mission to Mission Hyatt Regency OHare
Telephone: 720-494-7211 Chicago, IL .
Email: missiontomission@qwest.org Telephone: (415) 381-7144
Web site: www.women-churchconvergence.org
Maryknoll Mission Institute
July 8-13 Reflections on the Call to Faith in Our Time
2007 Minority Womens Health Summit: Women of Color: Addressing
July 15-20 A Study of the Narrative Mosaics of Marks Gospel Disparities, Affirming Resilience and Developing Strategies for Success
July 22-27 Trauma and Spirituality August 23-26, 2007
July 29-Aug 3 Revisiting Our Christian Roots Washington, D.C.
Rogers Building, P.O. Box 529 Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.
Maryknoll, NY 10545-0311 Website: www.4women.gov/mwhs/ or http://womenshealth.gov
Telephone: 914-941-7575
Email: missinst@mksisters.org The Third Annual Festival of Peace
Jesus Central Message for Today September 16, 2007: from 1-5:00 pm
Fellowship of Reconciliations headquarters, 521 N. Broadway
Sept. 19-22 Los Altos, CA
Nyack, New York
Sept. 23-28 Monrovia, CA Telephone (845) 358-4601, ext. 32
E-mail anita@forusa.org.
Annual National Catholic HIV/AIDS Ministry Gathering
Be Not Afraid 2007 CNVS Annual Conference

July 27-28, 2007 Working for Peace Serving for Justice

Loyola University Chicago September 20-23, 2007

Telephone: 312.915.7790 Chicago. IL
Email: info@ncan.org
Website: www.ncan.org Email: cnvsinfo@cnvs.org
Website: www.cnvs.org

8th Annual National Convention of the African Conference of Catholic

Clergy and Religious in the U.S.: Global Economics Workshop
Faithfulness to our Call October 17-19, 2007
August 2-5, 2007: 2007 Partners for Global Justice
New Jersey Chapter of ACCCRUS New York City, near United Nations

Crown Plaza Hotel at 36 Valley Road in Clark, New Jersey. Telephone: 212-682-6481

Telephone: (973) 824-6548 Email: Lsiers6720@aol.com

E-mail: anywaorgu@yahoo.com.
USCMA Annual Conference
October 26-28, 2007
PaxChristi USA National Conference
Wyndham Garden Hotel &
The Pursuit of Peace in a Culture of Violence:
Woodward Conference Center
A National Catholic Conference on Peacemaking
Austin, TX
August 10-12, 2007
Telephone: 202-832-3112
Seattle University, Seattle, WA.
Website: www.uscatholicmission.org
Website: www.paxchristiusa.org/

ORBIS BOOKS RECEIVED AT USCMA

Missions and Money, Revised and Expanded, by Jonathan J. Bonk, Orbis Books, 2006
US Catholic Mission Association Page 19
Mission Update Summer 2007

The Spirit
is the life of all creatures; the
way in which everything is
penetrated with connectedness
and relatedness
Hildegarde 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 slavery
to corruption and brought into
the same glorious freedom as
the children of God.
Romans 8:21-22

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