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:
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.