2018: A Culture of Encounter

A Culture of Encounter: Mission at the Heart of Our Faith in Christ

October 25-27, 2018

Boston Marriott Quincy Hotel

1000 Marriott Dr., Quincy, MA 02169

All Catholics are called to mission –  to move beyond ourselves, to step outside of our comfort zone, to cross some type of border (geographic, socio-economic, linguistic), to risk a personal encounter with a stranger, and to do so in the name of the Gospel.
 
Scripture proclaims that when we encounter others, especially the poor, those in need, and the stranger, we encounter Christ (Mt 25). The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that the faithful, through the waters of baptism, are “incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission” (CCC 1213).
 
Pope Francis reminds us that our encounter with Christ is at the heart of our faith. In Evangelii Gaudium, the Holy Father exhorts all Catholics to live with a missionary zeal and not to leave the work of evangelization to a handful of religious. To that end, USCMA strives to convene, connect, and collaborate with missionary orders, groups, and parish-based mission-minded faithful to promote mission and global solidarity. The annual conference is an opportunity for people of faith to come together to share their experience of living missionary discipleship.

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Conference Prices:

USCMA Member        $325.00 (8/16-9/21/2018) Conference Registration
                                                                              (includes meals & transportation)

                                     $375.00 (9/22-10/19/2018) Late Registration    
            
Associate                   $160.00                                                             

Thursday Only            $125.00 (includes dinner)

Friday Only                 $125.00 (includes breakfast, coffee breaks and lunch)

Saturday Only             $125.00 (includes breakfast and coffee breaks)

Non-Member Rate      $425.00
 

Hotel Booking Information

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Conference Overview and Keynote Speakers:

There are four goals for the annual conference:

1. To identify, connect, and gather missionaries from parishes, volunteer programs, and religious institutes.

2. To understand, appreciate, and embody a culture of encounter as an essential dynamic for mission and our faith.

3. To acknowledge the changing landscape of missionary work and embrace our role in it given our vocation, our state of life, and our growth as a missionary disciple. 

4. To explore the many ways parishes and religious institutes can continue to grow as communities of intentional missionary disciples.
    

Thursday, October 25, 2018

Sr. Lisa Valentini, M.S.C, a Missionary Sister of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, our first keynote speaker will reflect on Matthew 25 and encountering Christ in others, especially the poor and excluded.

Friday, October 26, 2018

Mr. Christopher Kerr, Ignatian Solidarity, is our second keynote speaker to reflect on the changing landscape of missionary ministry and the ever-evolving role of all Catholics to address and support those changes. Chris will also remind us that the call to solidarity is a movement to the banquet (Matthew 22:1-14, Luke 14:15-24) and the next step for missionary discipleship – progressing from “feeding the hungry” to sharing the banquet of God’s love together – fostering a deeper awareness of our familial connections in Christ.

Saturday, October 27, 2018

The final keynote by Fr. Stephen Dudek, Pontifical Mission Societies Director for the Diocese of Grand Rapids, Michigan, will outline practical strategies to “bring mission home” to the parish, thereby strengthening the renewal of our Church.

Seán Cardinal O’Malley, OFM Cap will be the principal celebrant and homilist for the closing liturgy on Saturday.
 

The USCMA Conference will also include:

• A strong representation of the missionary community. USCMA members belong to religious orders, mission groups, diocesan mission offices, as well as Catholic NGOs. This year we are reaching out to parishes, inviting them to send a delegation so that they can strengthen their mission councils, parish partnerships, and mission immersion experiences.

• A local connection. The Pontifical Mission Societies of Boston and the Missionary Society of Saint James the Apostle are actively collaborating with us. Our plan is to highlight the work of other mission orders and groups as well, such as the Missionaries of Africa, the Marists, the Redemptorists, and the Missionaries of St. Columban.

• A strong program. The Conference will have a rich blend of content and process. There will be time every day for Open Space giving participants an opportunity to raise and explore their questions about mission and how to create a culture of encounter. In addition to the keynote speakers, there will be breakout sessions on how to engage parishioners, animate missionary disciples, and explore new possibilities for mission.

Transportation – Airport to Hotel
Logan Airport to Boston Marriott Quincy Hotel

The hotel has a shuttle. It runs every 30 minutes on the hour and half-hour from 7:00 am - 9:30 pm. It goes to 3 destinations for pick up and drop off:
 
Quincy Adams Train Station
South Shore Plaza
Logan Express in Braintree
 
The hotel shuttle does not pick up at Logan airport; guests can shuttle to the Logan Express pick up and drop off hub located in Braintree. The airport shuttle to Logan Express is $12.00 one way/ $22.00 round trip.
 
Call the hotel (617-472-1000) 10-15 minutes prior to pick-up to ensure the driver arrives on time. The hotel shuttle includes all 3 stops for every pick up / drop off, so it may not be a direct ride to the hotel.
 
Guests can also use a taxi ($65), Uber or Lyft from the airport to the hotel; the address is Boston Marriott Quincy Hotel is 1000 Marriott Dr., Quincy, MA 02169.