Lay Mission Forum (LMF)

The Lay Mission Forum, begun in 1992, is a gathering of lay missioners and directors of lay mission groups that meets at the USCMA conference in the Fall. The Forum came out of a felt need to give voice to lay people in mission.

The Forum gathering provides an opportunity for networking, updating, discussing trends in lay mission as well as issues and projects of interest to participants. The LMF also includes a report on lay mission activity done by the Catholic Network of Volunteer Service.

Next Lay Mission Forum

The 2006 Lay Mission Forum will take place: 
October 1-3, 2006 during the USCMA Annual Conference
"Celebrating & Integrating Our Mission Perspectives: Short Term. Long Term, On Whose Terms?"
University of Notre Dame
South Bend, IN

Suggest Lay Mission Forum Agenda Items or Offer Comments:
If you would like to suggest agenda items or have comments about LMF or would like to add information, call or email:

     Charlotte Cook
     U.S. Catholic Mission Association
     3029 Fourth Street, NE
     Washington, DC 20017
     Phone: 202-884-9764
     Email: ccook@uscatholicmisson.org

Several projects have resulted from the discussions within the Forum:

1. Collaborative Formation Gathering (CFG)
   This is a collaborative effort of foreign mission-sending lay programs in the eastern U.S. to share part of candidate formation.
   
2. "Gathering the Fragments"  (.PDF file)
   A survey of components for the formation of international lay missioners, sponsored by the Catholic Network of Volunteer Service, U.S. Catholic Mission Association and St. Vincent Pallotti Center.
   
3. "Pre-Departure Cultural Training for Missioners"   (.PDF file)
   A follow-up study to "Gathering the Fragments."
   
4. "Training in the Intercultural Development Inventory"
   The IDI is a statistically reliable, valid measure of intercultural sensitivity. USCMA along with CNVS and the Pallotti Center sponsored people to be trained to administer and score the IDI. They are available to work with groups. For information contact USCMA.
   .
5. "Partnering Relationships for Mission"   (.PDF file)
   "An Inquiry & Overview of Diocesan and Parish Twinning"
   A study of the twinning phenomenon in the Church's concept of mission.
   

For More Information:
For more information about the Directors' Survey that resulted in "Gathering the Fragments" contact:

     Mr. Andrew Thompson, National Director
     St. Vincent Pallotti Center for Apostolic Development
     415 Michigan Avenue, NE
     Washington, DC  20017
     Phone:  202-529-3330
     Fax:  202-529-0911
     Email:  andythompson@pallotticenter.org

Collaborative Formation Gathering (CFG)    |    St. Vincent Pallotti Center for Apostolic Development
Catholic Network of Volunteer Service (CNVS)    |    Laity & Mission main page