Cincinnati and Kansas City Provinces Discern their Future Together

October 12, 2017
A group photo at the conclusion of the gathering

Over the past few years the Missionaries of the Precious Blood throughout the world have been discerning how they can continue to be faithful to the vision of Saint Gaspar del Bufalo in the contemporary world.  Much of the discernment has centered on how the different units of the Congregation can collaborate further.  Meetings have already taken place in Europe and in Latin American.  

On September 25 to 28 members of the Kansas City Province and Cincinnati Province met in Techny, Illinois to discern their future together.  The process was led by Kevin McClone from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and involved both small group work and large group discussions.  In addition to the Missionaries, several Companions participated in the process as well.

Rev. Dick Bayuk, C.PP.S. and Rev. Ben Berinti, C.PP.S.

The participants discerned that to ensure vitality and viability they are called to create a single unit. The following statement was endorsed by those at the meeting:

The Church is called to respond to the signs of the times so that the message of the Gospel can be effectively proclaimed.  The members and Companions of the Cincinnati and Kansas City Provinces of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood gathered in Techny, Illinois to pray, dialogue, and discern how we can live our spirituality and community life today and into the future as we seek to be faithful to the charism of St. Gaspar del Bufalo and the mission of the Congregation.  We discerned that we are being called to create a new reality for the Congregation in the United States.  We believe that this new creation, in the form of a single province, will provide us with the energy, creativity, and vitality to share our spirituality in our changing context.  As a new creation we will continue our mission of the proclamation of the Word, the renewal of the Church, and the ministry of reconciliation.   

In the next few months the two Provincial Councils will work on the next steps in the process.

Photos provided by Rev. Lac Pham, C.PP.S.

The two provincial directors, V.Rev. Larry Hemmelgarn, C.PP.S. and V.Rev. Joe Nassal, C.PP.S., offer a joint reflection at the beginning of the meeting.
Rev. Jim Betzen, C.PP.S. shares his thoughts during the meeting.
Each evening the Missionaries gathered for a social.
Rev. Garry Richmeier, C.PP.S. and Bro. Ton Sison, C.PP.S.
V.Rev. William Nordenbrock, C.PP.S. preaches at the opening prayer service.
Rev. Charles Colbert, C.PP.S., Rev. Clarence Williams, C.PP.S., and Rev. Ron Will, C.PP.S.
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