2024 Missionary Promise in an Uncertain Age
Fr. Aaron Wessman, author of The Church's Mission in a Polarized World, presents as part of the USCMA Webinar Series. The three-part series with an added bonus fourth session asks "How do we answer our call to mission in these challenging times characterized by secularity, technology, and polarization?"
Speaker
Fr. Robert Aaron Wessman
Fr. Robert Aaron Wessman is the vicar general and director of formation for the Glenmary Home Missioners. Glenmary missioners serve the spiritual and material needs of people living in mission counties in Appalachia and the South. A native of Iowa, he made his final vows in 2011 and was ordained in 2012. Before his election to leadership, Fr. Aaron earned a PhD in Systemic Theology from the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium.
In 2023, New City Press published Fr. Aaron's book, The Church in a Polarized World. Currently he serves as a guest lecturer at St Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. He is also an at-large board member for the Conference of Major Superiors of Men Religious.
Session Overviews
Mission in a Secular Age: Engaging the "Haunted" Individual
March 21, 2024
Session One: Explore how the secular trends of individualization and pluralization in American culture have missiological consequences. Then consider the need for cultivating missionary "curiosity" and evangelical "authenticity" in the practice of engaging others.
Mission in a Technologized Age: Cultivating Sacred Spaces for Deep Discernment
April 25, 2024
Session Two: Explore how the secular trends of technologization and differentiation in American culture have missiological consequences. Then consider the need to provide "sacred spaces" for deep discernment and encounter.
Mission in a Polarized Age: Being Pilgrims with the "Other"
May 30, 2024
Session Three: Explore how polarization in American culture has missiological consequences. Then consider the need to cultivate a spirituality of "crossing over."
From Promise to Plan
June 13, 2024
Bonus Session: USCMA hosts a conversation to surface the key insights from Fr. Aaron's talks and apply them to fall and end of year encounters and communications with our mission stakeholders.
Session Videos
Session One - Mission in a Secular Age: Engaging the "Haunted" Individual
Session Two - Mission in a Technologized Age: Cultivating Sacred Spaces for Deep Discernment
Session Three - Mission in a Polarized Age: Being Pilgrims with the "Other"
Useful Links
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