Last week the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) convened a strategic conversation of 3,500 Catholic leaders on forming missionary disciples to truly animate the Church, so that the “joy of the Gospel,” as Pope Francis has written, might resonate, shine, and grow here in the United States.
Word on the street is that the Holy Spirit was moving strongly. Most had never seen anything like this–a sharp departure from typical “conference” life.
What was said? Key points from keynotes
Plenary Session 1: “There’s a strong need for mercy and healing, even for Catholics in the pew.” – Abp Wenski #CatholicConvo — Sarah E. Bradford (@s_eliz_b) July 2, 2017
Dr. Ospino: We must see ourselves in a permanent state of mission – to native born and migrants alike. #catholicconvo — JusticeForImmigrants (@USCCBJFI) July 2, 2017
Catholics must be like the apostles: be willing to be BOLD in our witness – Archbishop Blair #CatholicConvo — DioceseofGary OYYA (@garyoyya) July 2, 2017
Cardinal Wuerl: To be heard, we must speak in the language of the other. #CatholicConvo @WashArchdiocese @osv — Joseph White (@JosephOSV) July 2, 2017
Jesus is already at the peripheries, but will he be there alone, or with us, his missionary disciples? -Carl Anderson @KofC #CatholicConvo — Fr. Matt Kiehl (@MattKiehl) July 3, 2017
#CatholicConvo Archbishop Gomez- Ours is not an age of change but a change of an age. — Julie Bostick (@Julesannb) July 4, 2017
#CatholicConvo Lencioni: Conflict is important, because otherwise we don’t get real commitment. — Greg Erlandson (@GregErlandson) July 4, 2017
Mutual love was the thing that galvanized the ancient world for Christianity. +Barron #CatholicConvo — Marc Cardaronella (@MCardaronella) July 4, 2017
This is a vision of what the Church in the world looks like, here in the U.S. It’s not the status quo. It’s not “just deep doing the same things as usual.” It’s a re-orientation.
How will you and others respond? We can’t re-orient merely as individuals. Christianity has always been a dynamic, living movement. Grab the Convocation Guidebook and reflection journal. Find your parish friends, your Bible study group, your favorite parish organization, your parish council, a staff member at your parish, and start. Start praying, start talking, start watching.
Colleen Vermeulen
Colleen Reiss Vermeulen, M.Div., M.N.A., blogs, ministers in parish life and lay/deacon formation, and serves as a U.S. Army Reserve officer. She and her husband, Luke, have been married since 2011 and live in Ypsilanti, MI with their two young sons.
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