2024 Conference
- Experience the wisdom of our esteemed keynote speakers
- Enhance your understanding and invigorate your journey
- Deepen your faith through worship
- Connect and collaborate with fellow attendees
Speakers & Facilitators
Robert Ellsberg
Robert Ellsberg is the editor in chief and publisher of Orbis Books. He is the author of Blessed Among Us: Day by Day with Saintly Witnesses (Liturgical Press) and many other books. He lived and worked with Dorothy Day during his time with Catholic Worker, edited six books of her writings, and is active in the cause for her canonization. Her last public appearance was August 6, 1976, at the International Eucharistic Congress in Philadelphia.
Diane Huggins
Diane serves as president of the board of directors for the Parish Twinning Program of the Americas and co-leader for the parish twinning mission between her home parish of Our Lady of the Lake and St. Bertin Catholic Church in Haiti. Diane has been devoted to Eucharistic Adoration for more than 20 years. During her weekly hour before the Eucharist, she journals her prayers. This practice has given her documentation of her faith journey and written proof that God always answers the prayers she offers in His presence. She and her husband Mike live in Hendersonville, Tennessee.
Fr. Abdon Rwandekwe, SJ
Fr. Abdon Rwandekwe is a Jesuit priest from the Rwanda-Burundi Region of the Society of Jesus. Currently, he is pursuing a doctorate in “Organization and Leadership” in the School of Education at the University of San Francisco, CA. Alongside his studies, he serves as Assistant Director of the Development Office of the Rwanda-Burundi Region in search of funds to assist Jesuit seminarians in Rwanda and Burundi.
Drs. John and Anne Marie Hansen
John and Anne Marie are experienced missionaries, Spiritan Associates, and educators. They have experience with Conversations in the Spirit, a synodal model that will guide our process.
They have served as lay missionaries in Tanzania, East Africa with the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, 1982-1985. Upon their return, they co-directed the Spiritan Associate overseas mission sending program for 5 years.
Schedule
Tuesday, October 29
- 1pm Registration Begins
- 3pm - Conference Begins
- Keynote - Robert Ellsberg
- Dinner
- Social Hour
- Adoration
Wednesday, October 30
- Breakfast
- Gathering Prayer
- Presidential Address
- Keynote - Diane Huggins
- Mass - officiated by Archbishop Rozanski of St. Louis
- Lunch
- Keynote - Fr. Abdon
- Affinity Groups & Business Meeting
- Dinner
- Social Hour
- Adoration
Thursday, October 31
- Mass
- Breakfast
- Conversation in the Spirit
- Commissioning
- 12 Noon - Lunch and Leisurely Departures
Location Details
Updates
A Video Message From Our Executive Director
In less than two minutes, Kevin Foy outlines the beautiful opportunities our conference offers for members, partners, and everyone interested in proclaiming and witnessing God’s love as missionary disciples.
Our Conference Facilitators Invite YOU!
Anne Marie and John Hansen share details of our conference, to be held just outside St. Louis from October 29-31, 2024. Learn more about how our speakers and setting will combine with their missionary experiences and their training in Conversations in the Spirit for a fulfilling event.
Meet A Conference Committee Member
Maryknoller James H. Kroeger served on the theological commission for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress in 2016 and shared some profound insights about the missionary challenges that emerged.
Recordings
These videos were recorded at Pallottine Retreat and Conference center during the virtual portions of our conference. Due to unforeseen technical issues with Zoom, some videos are high definition and others are not. However, the beautiful messages of each event are clear and powerful. Thank you for understanding.
Conference Opening Session
Keynote 1: Dorothy Day and the Eucharist
Keynote 2: Eucharistic Mission and Adoration
Keynote 3: Eucharist, Mission and Reconciliation
Resources
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.