A New Way of Living – Letter from Our Executive Director

Dear Members, Partners, and Friends,

What is “mission,” anyway? Over the years, I have encountered all sorts of answers to that question, each seeking to identify how the Living God is active in our world, and how we are called to respond. There is profound mystery in this diversity, but it can also lead to tensions, and even division. Sometimes, we believe not only that we have an answer, but we have the answer: we alone know which approaches, theologians, popes, religious communities, lay movements, programs, or styles of prayer and worship “get it right”—and, by implication, who is getting it “wrong.”

When it comes to God, however, there is always more to discern and discover. It can be tempting to retreat to our comfort zones and commune, collaborate and cooperate solely with those who understand God and God’s mission the way I do. But, as Pope Leo XIV reminds us in his Message for the 100^th World Mission Day, as Christians we are called to unity—not a flattening uniformity, but “the convergence of different charisms for the same purpose, namely to make Christ’s love visible and to invite everyone to encounter him.”

This call to spiritual communion and practical cooperation stands at the heart of USCMA’s upcoming national conference, One in Christ, United in Mission: Co-Building the Church the World Needs. Hosted at the Carmelite Spiritual Center in Darien, IL (near Chicago), this gathering invites our members and all leaders committed to mission to pray, discern and work together towards a more profound, effective and impactful embodiment of that love for all people and creation.

Today, our world needs disciples who, as St. John Paul II urges, “reveal a new way of living,” one in which “concern for people,” “charity toward the poor, the weak and those who suffer,” and “complete generosity” serve as signs of the life, community and kingdom which Christ calls us to help build. Missionaries, Pope Leo reminds us, do exactly this, proclaiming “Christ and his love to places that are often challenging, poor, conflict-ridden or culturally distant.” In doing so, we can “demonstrate that God’s love transcends all barriers.”

This commitment to communion is more important now than ever. As Pope Leo notes, the “conflicts, polarization, misunderstandings and a lack of mutual trust” which have taken root in society also affect the Church and “undermines our witness.” In contrast, “The evangelizing mission that Christ entrusted to his disciples requires, above all, hearts that are reconciled and eager for communion.” It asks us to “see our brothers and sisters through the eyes of faith,” and “to recognize joyfully the good that the Spirit inspires in each person, to embrace diversity as a treasure, to bear one another’s burdens and always to seek the unity that comes from above.”

Put simply, it asks us, as Jesus does, to love our neighbors as ourselves, and inspire the world to do likewise.

In peace and gratitude,

Kevin Foy
Executive Director

Other August Encounter Updates:

2027 Conference
2026 Annual Meeting (Virtual)
Membership Directory Form
Archdiocese of Cincinnati Seeks Mission Director
World Mission News