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One Family in Mission: A Follow-up Blog |
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Written by Colleen Coughlin
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Monday, 11 May 2009 |
Colleen is a staff member at the Mission Office. She is the Website Editor and the Coordinator for the Holy Childhood Association.
 Hi Everyone -- I'd like to share a follow-up blog that I wrote for our 2009 Pontifical Mission Societies National Meeting website. The meeting was such a great experience, and I'm so thankful to have been a part of it. If you'd like to learn more about the meeting, click on the link above (check out the "Live @ Meeting" link), or visit our Mission News page to read more, watch videos, and view photo galleries. Here's the blog:
How do I even begin to sum up the experiences of the 2009 Pontifical Mission Societies National Meeting? All I can say is that this year’s meeting – my first meeting ever – was one of the best experiences of my life! Never before have I been surrounded by such a wonderful, kind, passionate, and dedicated group of people. I enjoyed meeting every person, hearing every story, and seeing how all of our mission efforts – whether we are in St. Louis, Detroit, India, or Fiji – are truly making a difference in the lives of people around the world.
 Although I live and work here in St. Louis and was thrilled to welcome everyone to my hometown, it’s important for me to say that I, too, felt so completely welcomed and embraced. The warmth and kindness of each person made me feel right at home in this “one family in mission”, even though I had never attended a meeting or met anyone, except for a handful, before. I feel privileged to have met each and every person, and I am so impressed by the work that everyone in the Pontifical Mission Societies is doing. Having lunch and learning about Native American reservations from Deacon Joseph and Virginia Krikawa and Fr. Arkad Biczak … reading Morning Prayer with Sr. Madge Karecki and Genevieve Elizondo … seeing the smiling face of Fr. Terrence Mulkerin ... enjoying a riverboat ride with Sr. Elvira Rios … talking about HCA under the Gateway Arch with Maureen Heil. These are just a few of the many people and memories that I have carried away with me from this meeting. They have inspired me and taught me what mission is all about.
 As for our National Staff – what a lovely, wonderful group of people. It was great to finally meet and spend time with each of them in person. Paul, Erica, Patty, Iliana, Ray, Monica, and Msgr. Kozar – you are all awesome and I thank you for everything you do for the missions and for all of us. You are truly an inspiration and I am overjoyed to be part of this “one family in mission” with each of you. Thank you.
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