Mission Takes All of Us! In an effort to encourage all peoples of all ages to be involved in the wonderful work of mission, the Mission Office actively supports the gathering and work of Mission Groups throughout our diocese who support mission through their participation in projects and promotion. What are Mission Groups? Women in the St. Cloud Diocese support mission in a wonderful way. As members of mission groups they get together throughout the diocese to share their prayers and talents to help others around the world. This tradition was started in 1919 when the Missionary Association of Catholic Women was instituted in the St. Cloud Diocese. In 1926 Bishop Joseph Busch appointed Fr. Joseph Kreuter, OSB as the first diocesan Director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and in 1928 the women changed their name to Auxiliary to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. They organized a diocesan program of activities to assist mission parishes in the diocese and missioners who were engaged in home and foreign mission. Auxiliary President, Mrs. Joseph Prem, stated in 1930, “Everyone can find some means of helping, either by prayer, or by interesting others, or by active work.” This sentiment was echoed at the Second Vatican Council years later, that the work of evangelization is a “basic duty of the people of God” and all the faithful should cooperate in the extension of Christ’s body in order to bring it to fullness. All baptized Christians are called to be missionary. Although characteristics, dynamics and the role of mission groups have since changed in ways, their support to the Mission Office and to members of both their local and their global community has gone unwavering. Currently there are nearly 200 mission groups within the diocese, with most parishes having at least one mission group, some having more. Each group has its own unique characteristics and activities. But often they revolve around projects such as making layettes, putting together personal care or dental hygeine bags, gathering school supplies, and quilting/sewing. The items the women make are distributed to those in need by the Mission Office. Currently, they are sent to Common Hope in Guatemala, various Native American Reservations, Sharing and Caring Hands in Minneapolis, our diocesan partnerships, and a variety of other locations. Many groups also engage in fundraising activities to raise money for missioners and special projects. More recently, some are involving the youth of their parishes in service projects and others are inviting mission education speakers to share at their parish. For over seventy-five years Auxiliary or Mission Group members have been coming together in friendship and fellowship to reach out to others. They demonstrate our oneness with our brothers and sisters within and beyond our communities. We are grateful for their Christian witness and support!
Here are some Mission Group "Quick-Facts:"
Find our more about the numerous Mission Projects that many mission groups are involved in, and you could be too! Or view a complete list of mission needs and what is included in homemade and collected mission donation items.
Who can be in a Mission Group? Anyone! Although our mission groups are pedominantly women, we encourage anyone - male or female, young or old, new to mission or a long-time supporter - to consider joining and dedicating themselves to supporting our global church.
How do we join or start a Mission Group? Nearly every parish in our diocese has a Mission Group, and some have more than one! If you're interested in joining one of these groups, your first step should be to contact your parish office or watch your parish bulletin to see if there is information or a contact person for an already existing group. If you are unable to find a contact person this way, call us at the Mission Office (320-251-1100) and we will do our best to connect you with one of these great groups. If there is not already a mission group in your parish, or if you simply would like to start another one in your community, contact Rosanne at the Mission Office. We will help answer questions about what this entails, help you determine who your group chair will be and make sure you're aware of which deanery you are in and when we will be gathering next in that deanery. We'd love to see up-and-coming groups beginning throughout our diocese - so call us today if you're interested!
What are the annual Mission Meetings? Each spring the diocese holds various Mission Meetings; these gatherings take place in various host parishes throughout the deaneries (formerly these were held in the 12 mission regions, which have now been combined to parallel the Diocese's seven deaneries). Activities of the Spring Mission Meetings include reporting on activities by both the Mission Office and the mission groups; sharing of ideas, needs and talents for the coming year; presentation by Mission Office staff; celebrating Mass; sharing about our mission connections and global solidarity initiatives; and fellowship time. In those host parishes with a Catholic school, the Mass is celebrated with the students as well, and Mission Office staff meet with the faculty and student body. This past spring 425 people attended these seven meetings, in addition to the children and staffs who helped us celebrate Mission in a few schools. These hundreds of parishioners are not only interested in mission, they're extremely generous. At the gatherings, $956.75 was spent on Fair Trade items - that's nearly a thousand dollars that's going back to farmers and artisans in areas of our world where making a just living for their incredible work is difficult. Thank you everyone for supporting fair trade! Participants also donated $1,580.20 to the Croiser Fire Fund for the rebuilding of the seminary in Agats, Indonesia that burt down last summer. Again, thank you for your generosity and support of those in need and in mission in our world! Last year, as is the tradition every 5th year, rather than the multiple meetings, hundreds of women and men from around the diocese gathered to celebrate one large Mission Rally in April of 2008. Whether we're all together once, or visiting each deanery throughout the Spring, these meetings are a wonderful time to connect with others and our call to the universal church, and we invite EVERYONE to join in the celebration!
What are the seven deaneries? The Diocese is divided into seven "deaneries" (formerly 12 deaneries, but changed to seven as of 2008). These divisions allow for representation of both clergy and laity on Diocesan Councils, and similarly allow our Mission Groups to have liaisons from their area of the diocese to us at the Mission Office. Each deanery has a volunteer Deanery Chair from the mission groups to represent their area and assist in planning for the work of the groups.
The Seven deaneries are as follows:
When are the next Mission Group deanery meetings? The dates and locations for the spring 2010 meetings have not yet been determined. Check back next winter or early spring to find a meeting near you! If you cannot attend the meeting in your deanery, you are welcome to attend any of the meetings that are closer or fit your schedule better. For a list of which parishes are in which deaneries, contact us or the Chancery.
Where can we learn more about Mission Groups and examples of what they do? Our quarterly MISSION CONNECTIONS newsletter spotlights a group or parish in the diocese doing exciting things for mission. Several of these "Spotlight on Mission" articles have highlighted the work of various mission groups. Read about these groups in the following newsletter editions:
Or read the "Women of Faith" article written about the Mission Groups several years ago.
|
Are our links working? Please notify us if you have any problems connecting within our site. Thanks for your help to keep our site working well and spreading the mission message!
