April 27, 2020 

Be sure to REGISTER for this week’s webinar with Bishop James Schuerman. This Thursday, April 30^th, at noon ET, 11 CT, 10 MT, and 9 PT. The webinar is titled “Let Us Cross to the Other Side (Mark 4:35) – A Border-Crossing Spirituality of Mission.”

Seventeen missionary-disciples gathered for prayer, accompaniment, and solidarity last week. We opened with a prayer from the new Mass just approved for The Roman Missal. There was a lot on people’s hearts and minds:

1. Reports on the famine that is emerging in poorer countries.
2. What will “reopening” look like?
3. How can those in our diocese who have just begun to develop an interest in mission be sustained and engaged while our mission trips are on hold?
4. The Maryknoll Sisters just reported that three of their sisters have died.
5. The cost of everything is going up – especially in Haiti.
6. The tension there is getting worse and the Franciscan Sisters are caught in the middle and they are being attacked.
7. A parish has a mission in Uganda, focusing on developing sustainable agriculture there, and it is on hold.
8. “Mission is more than what I do, it is who I am. I am not sure how to “be” now.”

The group offered lots of personal support and some response to the burdens we carry. We can keep a close eye on the food shortage and hold Congress accountable for the $3.4 billion they approved for food security.

We can be vigilant about reopening - The magic number seems to be 10%; of the people tested, there are 10% or less positive. The current national percentage is over 20%. The solution is more testing. Also, as places open, people will be watching for new outbreaks. Vermont may be a good test – its numbers are looking good right now.

An Archbishop from Cameroon wrote a pastoral letter. The African Faith and Justice Network is also a good resource on what is happening in Cameroon today.

How do we view our challenge before us when mission trips are cancelled? If we had to put a song to it, is it more “Staying Alive” or “I Keep Standing?” We need to stay engaged with our missionaries – accompany them through these challenging days. We also need to stay connected with our host missions. Can we involve our missionaries in staying connected to our hosts by creating intentional conversations – that advances the encounter, dialogue, and prayer?

How do we view the pandemic itself? One way to look at it is through the lens of Kübler-Ross’s stages of grief. HERE is a link to a helpful website. Another perspective comes from Stephen Covey and the spheres of concern, influence, and commitment. Here is a helpful handout to understand Covey’s thought.

Prayer

• USCMA wrote a prayer – based on the Serenity Prayer – for the pandemic we face. Please see the attachment.
• What prayers are speaking to you? Share them, please.

Solidarity

• Congress is considering a national service act that will help funnel lots of young adults into service to help the country recover from the Coronavirus. The Catholic Volunteer Network is taking the lead and needs our help. USCMA will keep us updated.
• Read about the pastoral letter from Cameroon.
• Maryknoll is helping us connect with missionaries in Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan. What other countries can we connect with through video calls, video messages, or email?

Resources

• Luke Institute has a short video on how to keep psychological balance during the pandemic when so many of us are grieving, suffering isolation, and an uncertain future. You can view it on their website HERE.
• Maryknoll Lay Missionaries is offering a “Meet a Missioner Monday.” You can check it out on their YouTube channel.