2019 Regional Meeting

The Mission and Ministry of Reconciliation
In A Time of Polarization

November 6-7, 2019
Techny Towers Conference and Retreat Center
2001 Waukegan Road, Techny, IL 60082 (Chicago North Shore) 


Polarization within the United States of America is reaching a fever pitch. A recent study on the political parties showed that 40%, from both parties, thought the members of the other party were “evil.” There are racial tensions within our country. Women are finally breaking their silence and reporting the sexual abuse they have suffered by powerful men. More and more people are adopting an “us vs. them” approach to civic life, what some call a rise of tribalism.

Missionaries understand the challenge, and the commitment, needed to embrace reconciliation as both a ministry and a mission. The experience and wisdom of missionaries, who inhabited these moments of division and polarization at home and abroad, sheds light on how the Church can address polarization at home and be in solidarity with peoples around the world struggling with the same dynamics.

David Kelly was our “subject expert.” Dave is a Catholic priest of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. He is the Executive Director of the Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation (PBMR) and works for Kolbe House at Assumption, a parish-based jail ministry of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Dave is trained and certified as a mediator from DePaul University and has received training in the restorative practice of Peacemaking Circles. He presented on the theology and spirituality of reconciliation in one session and led the group in learning how to create Peacemaking Circles, a vital building block for forming communities of reconciliation.

                   





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