June 22, 2020

Our next Accompaniment and Solidarity gathering is Thursday, June 25, 2020 at noon Eastern Time, 11 am Central Time, 10 am Mountain Time, and 9 am Pacific Coast Time. Please REGISTER for the meeting.  

Agenda 

1. Opening Prayer 

2. Heart Speaks to Heart – an open forum to share hopes and joys, griefs and anxieties.  

3. Global Solidarity – what are we seeing and hearing? 

4. Encourage – what is strengthening our hearts for mission?  

5. USCMA Updates 

6. Closing Prayer 

Any USCMA member can add an agenda item to our Accompaniment and Solidarity gathering. We also welcome volunteers to lead us in our opening prayer or our closing prayer.  

June 11 Newsletter 

Twenty-two of us gathered for prayer, accompaniment, and solidarity.  

Introductions. The group took a moment to welcome new participants. A special welcome to Holly and welcome back to Pattye.  

Global Solidarity – Fr. Dan Groody will join the Third Wave of Mission conversation to share his insights on global solidarity. Sr. Mary McGlone shared some work she had done with the solidarity model which stretches the developmental steps necessary for moving from a position of fear (xenophobia, or fear of the other) to one of solidarity. She used the Intercultural Development Inventory.  

Pandemic Plus – There is concern about other life issues emerging during the pandemic. There is concern about food shortages. Bread for the World was identified as a possible resource on understanding the food shortages the world will face in the next 18 months.  

Mission Alive! – The conversation continued about the Mission Cooperative Program and USCMA’s effort. Emails were going out to all the Diocesan Mission Offices introducing the program. People shared some of their recent experiences with dioceses – from mission appeals being cancelled or repurposed. It was noted that it is important to thank dioceses for welcoming the mission appeals. Perhaps it would be a good idea to write a note of appreciation to the bishop. Pattye encourage us to be careful about clinging to structures – they are always changing for a wide variety of reasons. There was some concern about how hard it is to encourage pastors to embrace a more global perspective. A connection was made between the solidarity model and ways to help pastors deepen their sense of solidarity. Sr. Mary McGlone said she would be willing to offer a webinar on the solidarity model. Several people mentioned Interculturality, by Anthony Gittins.  

Other Updates – Brother Jose shared about volunteer mission groups and highlighted the Franciscan Mission Service. Catholic Volunteer Network was also mentioned and the developments with AmeriCorp.