2022 Conference
The USCMA Board believes that mission leaders need to see, claim, and grasp a Grace Filled Future. The best way to do that was to gather in a convention to revisit the animating principles of Pope Francis' 2013 Apostolic Exhortation, Joy of the Gospel.
The purpose of the keynote and panels was to get mission leaders talking. Using a synodal approach, this gathering was very interactive. Members had the opportunity to see their experiences in a new light, share reflections, explore ideas together, build relationships, and harmonize their voices for a more missionary Church. This convention included our first in-person membership meeting in over eight years.
Presenters & Organizers
Our convention featured a diverse team of mission leaders dedicated to helping us explore our theme of "A Grace Filled Future: 10 Years of Animating the Joy of the Gospel."
Fr. Jim Kroeger, MM
is our keynote speaker. He has extensive experience in mission – serving over 50 years in the Philippines – and he is an internationally known missiologist.
Kelli Nelson
Executive Director of From Mission to Mission, will serve as the facilitator for the conference.
Sr. Nancy Schramm, OSF
is the President of USCMA, and she will give an address at the first business meeting USCMA has held in person in over 7 years.
Dr. Antoinette Mensah
Director of Mission for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, is our host and will moderate our panel on formation.
Wesley Cocozello
Communications & Program Manager for the St. Columban Mission for Justice, Peace, and Ecology will serve as our panel moderator on advocacy. Wesley is also the convenor for the Restructuring Implementation Team.
Dr. Megan Mio
Director of Mission for the Archdiocese of Chicago, is organizing our prayer and worship for the convention.
Bruce Compton
Panelist
Catholic Health Association
Deacon Matt Dulka
Panelist
Maryknoll
Mary Beth Iduh
Panelist
Catholic Relief Services
Sharon Jewell
Jeff Jewell
Panelist
Mission in Haiti
Deacon Steve Przedpelski
Panelist
Franciscan Peacemakers
Proceedings
Key moments of the convention were recorded by our hosts, the Mission Office of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. The following written resources were produced using a combination of those recordings and contemporaneous notes.
Always Alert to God’s Signs
Fr. Jim Kroeger combined his written text, handout, expertise, humor and personal experiences to share his knowledge and understanding of Evangelii Gaudium in the context of missionary work.
Exploring the Vision of Evangelii Gaudium
Keynote by Fr. James Kroeger, MM followed by discussion
Presidential Address
by Sister Nancy Schramm, OSF
Panel & Meeting Reports
Support the United States Catholic Mission Association
Help support, promote and invite others into God’s mission of love, mercy and social transformation. Through your generosity, USCMA provides missionaries and faith leaders more opportunities to connect, collaborate and grow in witness to the reign of God.