May 26, 2020

Our next Accompaniment and Solidarity gathering is Thursday, May 28, 2020 at noon Eastern Time, 11 am Central Time, 10 am Mountain Time, and 9 am Pacific Coast Time. Please REGISTER for the meeting.
 
The agenda follows:

1. Opening Prayer
2. Agenda Building – What do you want to talk about?
   1. What are you seeing or hearing that concerns you?
   2. What is helping you, in these days, understand who you are and what you are about?
   3. What are you doing? What are you planning to do?
3. Global Solidarity – How do we cultivate a concern, and then a commitment, to global solidarity?  
4. Digital Mission Appeal Update

 
Conversation – 11 mission folks came together for last week’s meeting.
 
The group shared a Prayer for Peace by St. Francis de Sales.  The agenda that surfaced was 1) An update on the Digital Mission Appeal, 2) the good to connect with each other, 3) Pope Francis’ address to the Pontifical Mission Societies, 4) parishes reopening, and 5) requirements for travel.
 
Janice, from Lay Mission Helpers, reported their criteria for returning to host country:
 

1. The State Department lifts the Level 4 Health Advisory of Do Not Travel
2. The borders of the mission country are reopened.
3. International flights are flying to the mission country.
4. Lockdown restrictions are lifted in that country and the missionary is free to work.
5. The bishop informs us that he is willing and able to allow the missionary to return.

 
The concerns for beginning short-term mission trips are: 1) the health and well-being of those traveling, 2) the health and well-being of those hosting the mission group, and 3) the capacity of the host community to welcome the mission group.
 
Don gave an update on the Digital Mission Appeal. USCMA is moving forward by sponsoring four “sprints” over an 8-week period. Don is still trying to raise funds – from donors and members – to support 6 additional “sprints” during August. For more information, contact Don at [email protected].
 
Some people are beginning to feel “zoomed out.” Maryknoll Lay Missioners have a gathering of alumni on Saturday afternoon to pray and reflect on the Sunday’s readings. Some reported participating in the “virtual” Mass offered by their mission. We may be emerging into a “borderless” liturgy. One person lifted up St. Martin’s – in Belize – as one parish that is doing an excellent job with their video Mass. Some parishes are beginning to open by dividing their list and letting people know when they should come to Mass. Others are issuing tickets – through Evite – to limit the number of people who can come to Mass.
 
Don suggested the pandemic will cause the fourth wave of mission. Others thought we are experiencing a new Pentecost. Perhaps we need to think of GPS – God’s Positioning Service.