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Pontifical Mission Societies leaders gather in Arlington, Washington

Elizabeth A. Elliott | Catholic Herald Staff Writer

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrates Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria for the annual meeting of the Pontifical Mission Societies leaders May 1 assisted by Fr. Edward C. Hathaway (right) and Deacon Bryan Ott. ELIZABETH A. ELLIOTT | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Bishop Michael F. Burbidge greets Donna Borowicz, chief financial officer for the Pontifical Mission Societies, after Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria May 1. ELIZABETH A. ELLIOTT | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Deacon Paul Bork (from left), Maryknoll east region mission director; Sr. of St. Joseph Mary Ellen Brett, Ogdensburg director of the Pontifical Mission Societies; and Msgr. Robert J. Fuhrman, Newark, N.J., director of the Pontifical Mission Societies; prepare for their meeting with Sen. Corey Booker’s office in the Hart Senate Office Building in Washington May 1. ELIZABETH A. ELLIOTT | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Members of the Pontifical Mission Societies speak with representatives from Sen. Corey Booker’s office in the Hart Senate Office Building in Washington May 1. ELIZABETH A. ELLIOTT | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Leaders from the Pontifical Mission Society spent a day of
their national meeting bending the ear of representatives of Congress in
Washington May 1. They met with representatives from Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J.; Sen.
Marco Rubio R-Fla.; and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas; among others.

“Because we are so close to the nation’s capital and because we
are celebrating this extraordinary mission month (in October), we decided to do
something different, which is to turn our missionary experience into advocacy,”
said Father Andrew Small, OMI, national director of the Pontifical Mission
Societies. “We figured out which kind of issues we would raise coming from our
experience with missions around the world, so we took on the question of
climate change, looking at issue of immigrants and refugees and religious
freedom.”

The work of the Pontifical Mission Society puts them close to
the issues for which they advocate.

“We know the people down to the level of the local pastor,” said
Father Small. “We were responsible for helping build some of those churches
several years ago in Sri Lanka that were recently attacked.”

This was the first time that many diocesan directors participated
in advocacy. “They received background information to participate in the
meetings,” said Monica Ann Yehle, director of communications and outreach for Missio
and editor of Mission. “Then they received
backgrounders on integral ecology and environment, persecuted Christians, and
background on immigration and refugees.”

“The fact that they were willing to meet with us reinforces the
idea of representative government and there was a willingness to listen as well
as dialogue,” said Deacon Bryan Ott, diocesan mission director for the Diocese
of St. Augustine, Fla.

“It has been a good experience to share at the level of faith
what the bishops are shepherding us on and sharing that with members of
Congress so that change can be made for the good,” said Father
Leo Perez, OMI, secretary general, Pontifical Missionary Union in the United
States. “We can be supporting the vulnerable and those (who) are hurting,
the immigrants and the earth. Obviously, there are political blocks that (get)
in the way of good conversation, but we are trying to get around that and this
process of dialogue helps us.”

Before the advocacy portion of the day, Bishop Michael F.
Burbidge celebrated Mass for the more than 60 leaders at the Basilica of St.
Mary in Alexandria.

During his homily, Bishop Burbidge said, “It is my hope and
prayer that you have found many blessings through your common prayer,
discussions and in the bond that unites you in your service to the universal
church. May you leave these days with renewed vigor, zeal and enthusiasm for
the important work and ministry entrusted to you.”

“How blessed are we to gather on this day the church honors St.
Joseph the Worker, Pope Francis says: Follow the example of St. Joseph,
guardian of the church, by being constantly attentive to God, open to the signs
of God’s presence and receptive God’s plans,” he said. “Each day, as you carry
out your work for God’s glory and in service to his Church and our brothers and
sisters, may you reflect on the extent to which you are following the example
of St. Joseph the Worker.”

Bishop Burbidge acknowledged the advocacy day. “I understand some
of you will be visiting our elected officials to be a voice of the immigrants
and most vulnerable, to be a voice for those whose voice is so often dismissed
or unheard,” he said. “Thank you for your courageous willingness and know that
our prayers will accompany you today throughout these meetings. I respectfully
encourage you, dear friends, for your good work to continue to promote a
universal missionary spirit.”

In addition to advocacy, leaders from Pontifical Mission
Societies had the opportunity to attend learning sessions; hear a keynote
address by Patricia McGuire, president of Trinity Washington University; and
create an action plan for the Extraordinary Missionary Month — October — as designated
by Pope Francis.

The Very Rev. Patrick L. Posey, pastor of St. James Church in
Falls Church, vicar forane and Arlington diocesan director of the Pontifical
Mission Societies, said the April 30-May 2 meeting was “an opportunity for the
diocesan mission leaders to get together to be re-energized. Sometimes we get
tired of so many needs coming together and share thoughts on what is working
and not working, so we can go back and keep the spirit alive to spread the
Gospel the way the people will receive it.”

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