Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI
Waukesha (Agenzia Fides) – Today and tomorrow, the United States Catholic Mission Association (USCMA), in collaboration with the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and the International Secretariat of the Pontifical Missionary Union, is hosting a summit on evangelization and mission at the Schoenstatt Retreat Center in Waukesha. The theme of the summit is “United in Faith, Sent in Hope.”Originally established in 1949 as a Missionary Secretariat by the U.S. Bishops and 32 religious institutes that were sending missionaries around the world, the USCMA became the “United States Missionary Council” after the Second Vatican Council. It later evolved into an association that today includes over 70 religious congregations (both male and female), lay associations, and diocesan offices engaged in missionary work.This conference—the first of its kind—aims to inspire initiatives to rekindle apostolic zeal and missionary dynamism across different regions of the United States. It takes place within the context of the Jubilee Year of Hope.“This is a crucial moment for those involved in mission,” said Kevin Foy, Executive Director of the USCMA. “Pope Francis invited each of us to ‘burn with holy zeal for a new season of evangelization in the Church.’ Now we have Pope Leo—a missionary, a migrant, and a citizen of the world—who shares Pope Francis’ commitment to peace, economic justice, and synodality.”The summit begins on the afternoon of Wednesday, July 22, with a video welcome message to participants from across the United States and overseas by the Archbishop of Milwaukee, Jeffrey S. Grob. This will be followed by the main session led by Father Dinh Anh Nhue Nguyen, OFM Conv, Secretary General of the Pontifical Missionary Union (PMU). Father Nguyen will reflect on the words of Pope Leo XIV during his audience with the Pontifical Mission Societies, when the Pope emphasized that the PMS are “truly the principal means for re-awakening the missionary responsibility of all the baptized and for supporting ecclesial communities in areas where the Church is young” (cf. Ad Gentes, 38). Father Nguyen will then focus on the role and service of the four Pontifical Mission Societies in supporting the Pope and the local Churches.Other talks scheduled over the two-day summit will take an action-oriented approach, ranging from local mission efforts to the contemporary global context, and will also reflect on missionary spirituality.“We are pleased to host this important gathering in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee,” said Antoinette Mensah, President of the USCMA Board of Directors and Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. “This summit,” added Dr. Mensah, “is both a spiritual encounter and a call to action. We are called to embrace mission not as an optional commitment, but as the very essence of our identity as Church.” (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 23/7/2025)
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