Restorative Justice

Karen Clifton (Catholic Mobilizing Network)

Restorative Justice is a way of viewing harm, crime and conflict as a violation of relationship, rather than solely a violation of the law. Restorative practices seek to address the far-reaching impacts of harm and move those involved toward healing and repair. This workshop will explore ways to integrate restorative approaches in missionary work that promote trauma-healing, self-care, and solidarity with those we serve. 

As Catholics, our call to this way of life is rooted in foundational values of mercy, encounter, and reconciliation.

Mission in Contemplation

Sr. Judy Gomila, MSC (Marionites of the Holy Cross)

Mission is often seen as an active pursuit by missionaries like St. Francis Xavier, but there is another dimension to mission that is spirituality/reflection as witnessed by the life of St. Theresa of Lisieux. The truth is that Mission is both active and contemplative, though at times these realities are not in balance. Missionaries can be so active that they stop listening  to the voice of Jesus. Contemplation allows us to return to the wellspring of our encounter with Christ and draw fresh water to quench our thirsting souls. This session will offer "a pause that refreshes"  in the midst of mission activity --- Wait, what?

Mission Spirituality Through Joy of the Gospel and Aparecida Document

Dr. Hosffman Ospino, PhD (Boston College)

The Aparecida Document and The Joy of the Gospel are foundational for understanding and appreciating Pope Francis' vision of mission spirituality. We will explore the pope's teaching and its consequences for our commitment to mission.

Missionary Church in Canon Law

Rev. Roger Keeler (Oblate School of Theology)

Students and practitioners of the Church’s law are quick to point out that the law is somewhat “behind the times.” By this they do not mean that the law is “out of touch” (although there are those who would contend that it is!), rather it is to point out that the Church’s law can only come into play when the Church’s theology is, as Oblate canonist Father Frank Morrisey is fond of saying: “in peaceful possession.” In other words, when the Church’s theology has been thoroughly studied, articulated and made authoritative, is it then ready to be protected by law. Another way of looking at this might be to say: “By reading the law of the Church, one will come to read the self-understanding of the Church and what it believes.”

This is certainly the case when one examines ten canons (articles of law) in the 1983 Code of Canon Law that address the missionary activity of the Church! One will find there not only a broad vision for the missionary nature of the Church, one will also discover its W5 (the name of investigative T.V. program produced by CTV News in Canada): who/what/when/where/why. The breakout session hosted by Father Roger Keeler, currently Assistant Professor at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, will examine those ten canons, with a special emphasis on what the Code has to offer with regard to missionary activity at the diocesan level. There is no doubt that what will be discovered is surprisingly visionary!

Integral Development 

Dr. Kim Lamberty (Catholic Relief Services)

The concept of integral human development, first articulated by Pope Paul VI, has become a touchstone for Catholic social thought. Expanding on Paul VI, Pope Benedict XVI held that integral human development stands at the very center of the Church’s mission, and everything the Church does can be seen as a service to this development. Pope Francis has organized a Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Catholic Relief Services has designed an integral human development framework to guide its work in serving the poor and vulnerable overseas. This workshop will address the theology and practice of integral human development and, using the CRS framework, illustrate how it can be applied to global mission.

Transformation in Mission: Quién Soy Verdaderamente Para Servir? (Given in English)

Clare Acosta Matos and Valeria Denisse García (St. Mary's University)

This session will first outline the stages of spiritual development for college-age, North American white young adults who enter into short-term mission experience in an international setting. We will then juxtapose this transformation process with the stages of development for college-age, North American Hispanic young adults who serve in short-term mission in an international setting. Looking at similarities and differences within these mission experiences of young adults, we will offer suggestions and insights for working with these distinct missionary populations, and seek your participation as we broaden the conversation around global mission and the changing landscape of our missionary Church.