As our culture becomes increasingly secularized, the Catholic Church faces tremendous challenges. Religious liberty is under attack as is the institution of marriage. Funding cuts jeopardize essential public services to the poor, the sick and the frail elderly - vulnerable people Catholics are called upon to protect. The culture of death marches on with abortion on demand still legal.

How do Catholics confront these challenges? The Missouri Catholic Conference's 2013 Annual Assembly seeks to answer this question by finding inspiration in the example of our new Holy Father and the saint whose name he has adopted, St. Francis of Assisi.

The keynote speaker will be the Most Reverend Richard E. Pates, bishop of the Diocese of Des Moines, Iowa. Bishop Pates chairs the U.S. Bishops' Committee on International Justice and Peace. He has dealt extensively with the question of how Catholics can act in solidarity with the poor and marginalized, including immigrants and those living in poverty in emerging nations. 

There will be a variety of workshops, many of them building on the theme of the assembly: "Francis, Rebuild My Church!" One workshop will invite participants to "Meet St. Francis of Assisi." Another workshop offered by St. Louis Auxiliary Bishop Edward Rice  will discuss  Pope Francis' special concern for the poor. Other workshops will offer practical advice on soup kitchens, maternity homes and how parishes can better respond to the needs of the most vulnerable in their community.

Moral theologian Fr. James Knapp (Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, St. Louis, MO) will address the present state of the institution of marriage and what lies ahead in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision. A former Missouri state senator (Franc Flotron) will sit down for an interview about the Missouri General Assembly - is it broken or does it properly represent the people of Missouri?

These are just a few of the many workshops participants will be able to choose from. This Good News offers a list of all the workshops so you can plan now which ones to attend. Also in this Good News is a registration form you can complete and mail to the MCC, or you can register by simply visiting our website.

Over the years the MCC Annual Assembly has become known as a premier event for Catholics to attend. It is not just about becoming better informed; the assembly offers an opportunity for Catholics to meet and share the challenges they face in their own communities and parishes. The bishops of Missouri are on hand and the day closes with an inspiring Mass at historic St. Peter Church across from the State Capitol.

Bishop of Des Moines to Address MCC Annual Assembly

The keynote address at the Missouri Catholic Conference's Annual Assembly this year will be given by the Most Reverend Richard Pates, Bishop of Des Moines, Iowa, and Chairman of the U.S. Bishops' Committee on International Justice and Peace.  

Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, Bishop Pates served as the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul from 2001-2008. In 2008, he was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to be the ninth bishop for the Diocese of Des Moines.  

Bishop Pates has served on a number of committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and was elected chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace in November 2011. This committee has a mandate to advance "the social mission of the Church on international peace through policy development, advocacy, education, outreach, and acts of ecclesial solidarity."

In a recent speech Bishop Pates gave at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., the bishop addressed solidarity and U.S. foreign policy. He spoke of the growing interdependence of nations, repeating the words of Pope John XXIII in Pacem in Terris that declare, "no State can fittingly pursue its own interests in isolation from the rest, nor, under such circumstances, can it develop itself as it should.  The prosperity and progress of any State is in part consequence, and in part cause, of the prosperity and progress of all other States." (Pacem in Terris, No. 131)

Bishop Pates remarked that solidarity requires powerful nations to not only "do no harm," but also to "do good" in ways that respect the inherent right of emerging nations to develop. "Solidarity," he explained, "excludes exploitation and domination."

Bishop Pates went on to describe several areas of U.S. foreign policy that could benefit from the Church's teaching on solidarity. The Cuban Embargo, for example, which has been in place for over five decades and attempts to promote change in Cuba through isolation, has proved to be a failure. "Solidarity teaches us that engagement, not isolation, is the way to enhance human rights in Cuba," he explained.

The existing U.S. embargo "hurts ordinary citizens and compromises the ability of charitable organizations, including the Catholic Church, to provide essential services to the most marginalized Cubans." Bishop Pates related how aid workers in Cuba have told him that they have been hampered by their inability to get U.S. products to assist their efforts due to the embargo.

Another example of a foreign policy uninformed by solidarity is the Israeli - Palestinian conflict, which Bishop Pates explained has continued to exacerbate problems there. Palestinians must promote security by halting attacks on civilians, and blocking illegal arms shipments. "They need to disavow clearly and forever their radical ranks who have proposed the destruction of Israel," he said.  

At the same time, he proposed, Israel needs "to freeze immediately expansion of settlements, withdraw 'illegal outposts,' ease movement for Palestinians by reducing military check points and refrain from disproportionate military responses."

"Lasting peace is built on justice for both peoples," Bishop Pates explained. As Pope John XXIII proposed in Pacem in Terris, "lasting peace among nations cannot consist in an equal supply of armaments but only in mutual trust." (No. 113).

Regardless of what topic Bishop Pates presents at the Annual Assembly, one can expect that he will present it in a manner consistent with the philosophy of St. Francis of Assisi, the saint known for his peaceful, holy and unassuming manner, and whose often cited prayer starts with "Make me a channel of your peace; where there is hatred, let me bring your love."

The 2013 Annual Assembly of the Missouri Catholic Conference will feature 16 workshops. There are two workshop sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Read the workshop descriptions below to decide which workshops you would like to attend. Include your top four choices when registering so the MCC can plan accordingly.

Place-based or "hot spots" policing strategies have proven effective in reducing serious violence in urban areas.  Less appreciated is the connection between hot spots strategies and other forms of crime prevention, including those supported by faith communities. This workshop presents evidence on the effectiveness of hot spots policing in reducing crime and the compatibility of this approach with efforts to turn offenders away from crime through social services and support.

After a disaster your resilience is directly related to what you and your family did before the disaster to prepare. In addition to helping yourselves, you can help your parish and your community. Learn how you can save lives and prevent damage by planning ahead and practicing good stewardship.

Since 2000 the percentage of Missourians living in poverty has nearly doubled. Who are the poor among us? In this workshop you will get to meet some individuals facing poverty, hear their stories and learn what organizations, such as Catholic Charities, are doing to help them and how you can be a part of the effort to reduce poverty.

Every aspect of our society is in need of the saving power of Jesus Christ and His Church. How can we respond to this call? One answer is college students, who are emerging from campus as the leaders of tomorrow. This workshop will explore how FOCUS reaches college students and how you can participate in the new evangelization.

MCC Executive Director Mike Hoey will conduct an interview with former state legislator Franc Flotron about whether the Missouri General Assembly truly represents the people of Missouri. Past and present practices of the general assembly and the effect of term limits will be discussed. Workshop participants will hear stories of Flotron's experience in seeking to advance pro-life and school choice legislation in the Missouri Senate.

Latino Catholicism represents a diversity of cultures and traditions.  It is a faith heritage that has a deep devotion to Mary, a strong family unit and a vibrant spirituality. This workshop will explore the richness of Latino Catholicism and how it is enhancing Catholic churches in our state.  Participants will also learn practical ways to engage Latino Catholics in their parish community and local church. Bienvenidos!

This workshop  will discuss the life and vision of St. Francis of Assisi. It will follow his conversion from a young and ambitious son of a wealthy cloth merchant to his becoming the "little poor man" who sought to "rebuild the Church." The session will also discuss how the vision of St. Francis has influenced the Church and still has relevance for Catholics of today.

The Catholic Land Movement began almost a century ago in Britain. This movement sought to return the family to the natural environment of the farm. Although the original movement fell apart, it is now being revived by way of the New Catholic Land Movement. Come learn about this movement and its impact on family life!

This workshop will explore the negative environmental impact of contraception and how natural family planning (NFP) offers a healthy and environmentally friendly way to plan a family. We will also discuss how NFP is being promoted around the world as part of the new evangelization of the Catholic Church.

In his brief time as Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis has shown himself to be a voice for the poor. As many welcome this "new" focus, concern for the poor is as old as the Church Herself.  Pope Francis illustrates that the Church is "ever ancient, ever new." Come learn how from ancient times to the present, the poor have always been with us and how the Church has tried to respond to Christ disguised in the poor.

Most parishes are stretching to find enough leaders and to move them into the right roles. This workshop will describe proven tools of community outreach to build your ministries: responding to God's call for your parish, building relationships through sacred conversations and sparking vitality for critical ministries.

Presenters: Rev. Msgr. Jack Schuler, Pastor of St. Ferdinand Catholic Church, St. Louis, MO;  Rev. David Gerth, Executive Director of Metropolitan Congregations United, St. Louis, MO; Molly Fleming-Pierre, Policy Director, Communities Creating Opportunity, Kansas City, MO

Catholic schools have a long tradition of providing quality education in America. Unfortunately many K-12 Catholic schools are closing their doors. Why are they closing and what can be done about it? This workshop will examine enrollment trends, the driving forces behind school closures and discuss new innovative programs and legislative efforts designed to save Catholic schooling for this and future generations.

Presenter: John T. James, PhD, Associate Professor, Educational Leadership and Higher Education, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO

One of the most common ways of serving the poor is through a soup kitchen.  Providing hot meals in a warm, welcoming setting is good for the body and the soul.  But soup kitchens can be a doorway to provide additional services for the poor by connecting them with other resources in the community.  This panel will explore practical aspects of setting up soup kitchens and providing community services and how this direct interaction enriches the lives of the poor as well as the volunteers.

For modern Catholics, the Crusades can be a source of bewilderment and controversy. St. Francis, a man of peace, also took part in the Fifth Crusade. This seminar will examine why that posed no contradiction in the Middle Ages and how the lessons of the Crusades can still be of value for the Church today.

Presenter: Thomas F. Madden, PhD, Professor of History, Director of the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO

St. Raymond is the patron saint of unborn babies, newborns and expectant mothers. This workshop will discuss the mission of St. Raymond's Society in supporting mothers who choose life; giving special attention to long term support after the child is born. Come learn the origins of this local group that grew from community support into an organization fulfilling its mission to partner with mothers, provide resources and promote self-sufficiency.

The Catholic Church has always taught that marriage is the union of one man and one woman. This seminar will explore the Church's teachings on this important institution, and will also examine what lies ahead for us as Catholics in light of state and federal efforts to redefine marriage to include the union of same-sex couples.

To register for the September 28 Annual Assembly at the Missouri State Capitol, click here.

Annual Assembly  Schedule 

9:30 a.m.     Registration

10 a.m.        Keynote Address,

                    Bishop Richard E. Pates, Des Moines

11:15 a.m.   Morning Workshops

12:15 p.m.   Lunch (free)

1:15 p.m.     Afternoon Workshops

2:30 p.m.     Closing Session

3:15 p.m.     Closing Mass,        

                    Concelebrated by Missouri Bishops,

                    St. Peter Church

Annual Assembly Youth Schedule  (6th grade and up)

Streams are important ecosystems and an essential part of our water resources. This workshop, geared toward youth, introduces stream ecology, including the relationships between organisms that rely on moving-water habitats and factors degrading our streams. Learn about what you can do and how to be a part of stream stewardship.
Presenter: April Perry, Stream Team Volunteer, Water Quality Monitoring Assistant, Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, MO

The State Capitol contains a wealth of history about Missouri and the legislative process. What a perfect place for a scavenger hunt! Don't miss this opportunity to have fun while learning about our state government. Prizes will be awarded.

1:15 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Join other youth from around Missouri in debating controversial bills that have been discussed in the Missouri General Assembly. Youth are asked to follow all rules and procedures that Missouri Representatives and Senators follow day-to-day in the Missouri General Assembly.

The names of all those who attend this year's MCC Annual Assembly will be placed in a drawing for three prizes that will be awarded at the closing session. First prize is a 23 inch tall lawn statue of St. Francis of Assisi; second prize is a sturdy, brown wood Franciscan rosary; and, third prize is a biography of St. Francis of Assisi. Must be present to win.

 

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