As a relatively new missioner, the richness of Mission Forum for me was to be challenged to re-examine the context, methods, and spirituality of mission along with women, men, and families with years of experience working for justice in the backwoods and urban ghettos of this fascinating planet. We found ourselves to be a family, a movement still doing "organizing", seeking again for its spiritual roots and its call in a changing world, a world in which the new US empire spreads its control, and global economies concentrate power and wealth as never before in the hands of the few.
Four ways and callings, with the Society, the Affiliates, the Congregation, and the Associates; children, adults, religious, and priests asking what our work may be for the future. Dialogue and communication? Blocking bad communication and rumor control in the face of a government and a media that use rumor and innuendo to incite us to violence? Peacemaking and reconciliation? Truth telling and creating structural justice so that the violence doesn't happen again? And how do we sustain ourselves as we join ourselves to the marginalized in a morass of injustice and unending needs? A contemplative lifestyle that allows us to keep dreaming and visioning?
With the help of a re-examination of our Maryknoll history and vision, and an attempt to glimpse the challenges of the immediate future with the help of Fr. Bob Schreiter, we affirmed our need to collaborate as family. We saw our need to speak out in the face of war (and so developed a statement against a unilateral attack on Iraq), and to assist the affiliates and those Maryknollers in the US in their hard task of speaking peace and reconciliation to an angry and self-righteous nation. We saw the need to join in building alliances with grassroots groups around the globe building resistance and alternatives to the economic, political,and environmental model that is attacking the very basis of compesino and indigenous life and threatening the ecological richness of the planet in the name of profit. And we agreed to the need to shout out the desperate crisis of the AIDS epidemic that is leaving the children of Africa without parents or grandparents to care for them.
In a world in which religion is on the rise, but in which it is increasingly associated with violence; in a world in which the Church itself is in a spiritual and social crisis that has destroyed much of its moral authority; and where an authoritarian model is in direct conflict with a new thirst for democracy and participation that continues to grow in the world around us, we struggled with and reaffirmed our call to believe in and foment a world in which the creation process still surges toward life in abundance.
Attending the recent Maryknoll Mission Forum as an Affiliate Representative was my first "immersion" experience with all the Maryknoll expressions. I have to say having this opportunity has widened my horizon of understanding relative to the breadth and depth of the Maryknoll history, current mission and future vision. It would be wonderful to bottle up all that was said, shared and experienced so everyone in the Maryknoll "family" could experience the sense of collegiality and spirit from this past week.
What most stands out for me specific to Maryknoll (remembering I am a rookie) was the history shared by all the four expressions (Society, Congregation, MMAF, Affiliates). It is coming to read, re-read, and thus share and re-share our history where we learn of past conflicts, joys, struggles and growth of the entire Maryknoll movement. In light of the times in the US Catholic Church with the struggle of "power" between clerics and lay people, learning of the original vision of Frs. Walsh and Price which was rooted in their desire for laity, and especially women, to be fundamental to the growth of the Maryknoll movement. I am always bedazzled when history is read through "another" set of eyes that becomes liberating for so many more on the receiving end.
What most stands out relative to the presentation by Fr. Bob Schreiter entitled "Trends in Mission for the New Millennium" is the calling of all Affiliates to understand and recognize the role the US plays in making the work of our fellow Maryknollers in their respective international missions so difficult. A lot of the poverty, oppression, disempowerment, and dislocation are a result of our country's foreign policy. So with one of our pillars being social justice and having the power and influence as residents of the US, we are challenged to make sure we are doing all that is within our local Chapters to challenge the structures that are not life enabling. I believe that the other entities (Society, Congregation, MMAF) of Maryknoll came to realize this "vocation" of Affiliates working in our "own backyard" as a sense of mission possibly never recognized or realized by the Maryknoll family. Maryknoll is a US-based organization and thus we Affiliates feel responsible to carry the Maryknoll spirit to where it is needed right here on our own soil. This is just one of our "charism" expressions as Affiliates.
What I took away from the conference was an overwhelming aweness of everyone that is committed to the spirituality and charism of Maryknoll regardless of how they choose to express such as a lay person, lay missionary, religious sister, religious brother or priest. We come together on this single call of Maryknoll spirituality. But what we have to always be reminded of is wherever one or two are gathered, yes Jesus is in our midst, but so are our misunderstandings and conflicts. We need to always remind ourselves to speak from the heart vs. the "art of communication." When we work and minister among each other from our hearts, whether they be overflowing with love or recovering from a terrible brokenness, it is the work, conversation, and ministry rooted in our Maryknoll spirit that will keep us growing into the future and growing closer in relationship to our creator and each other.
"There is an appointed time for everything." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
Far us Maryknoll Sisters, the validity of sanctifying one's natural qualities, i.e, being myself abiding in the Spirit. This abiding assists me to live within and appreciate Mystery surrounding me wherever I am in the World of Mission. I was reminded of the importance not only of having an exultation of enthusiasm for mission but being thankful to the Trinity for the grace of steadfastness throughout my missionary life.
Regarding the presenters about Maryknoll's History on Wednesday, I just can't forget Fr. Price working so closely with a Catholic lay suffragette. Perhaps I'm hearing different bits and pieces more clearly now. Maryknoll's founders were blazing new trails in new ways so far ahead of their time. Team ministry and collaboration would not have been unimaginable to them. As another example, Mother Mary Joseph receiving the seed of her vocation through her contact with the Protestant lay missioners at Smith College. Maryknoll was and remains open to discerning the call and lead of the Spirit wherever it is; sometimes that may be in unlikely and/or unexpected places. That's OK. Not only don't we have all the answers already; we may also not be asking the right questions yet.
From Bob Schreiter's talk on Thursday, I wasn't surprised to hear him speak of how we engage in mission through dialogue and communication, peacemaking and reconciliation, and helping to build and rebuild societies at the grass roots and intermediate levels. Where I was surprised was by his call for us to be more engaged in active contemplation. This was perhaps the most important new concept for me. Prayer has always been there. But active contemplation is much different and I see how useful and necessary it is for me in Cambodia.
Thanks, Bob, and thanks to all my fellow participants for this thought-provoking and empowering experience. It's good to have the reinforcement that there are so many like-minded individuals like ourselves.