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Celebrate 50 Years of the Missouri Catholic Conference
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For 50 years, the Missouri Catholic Conference has acted as the "conscience of the Missouri legislature," working to pass legislation that upholds Catholic values, and advocating for the best quality of life for all Missourians. The MCC originated in 1967, acting as the voice of Missouri's Catholic Bishops and Catholic citizens in the halls of the State Capitol. This October 2017, we're celebrating a half century of this faithful work.
The mission of the MCC is not focused on loyalty to any political party's agenda, and does not always follow the path of popular opinion. Throughout its 50 years, the MCC has sought to listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and offer the moral teaching of the Church to an often divided and violent world. Even in the aftermath of mass terrorist attacks, the MCC has called for compassion and openness to refugees fleeing war-torn countries. When legislators have said there was no chance of abolishing the death penalty, or creating a more just criminal justice system, the MCC has trudged on, following the maxim of Saint Teresa of Calcutta: "We are called not be successful, but faithful." In spite of obstacles and disappointments, the Missouri Catholic Conference has found success by following the tenets of Catholic faith in legislative efforts.
The MCC invites you, your friends and family to participate in a special anniversary celebration at St. Joseph Cathedral in Jefferson City on Saturday, October 7, 2017. The occasion will include an address by Papal Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, along with three workshops focusing on a few of the issues that have been central to the work of the MCC: catholic education, social justice, and pro-life. The event is free and includes a hot, sit-down lunch. Bus transportation is available from key locations for a nominal fee. The day will conclude with a Mass concelebrated by the Bishops of Missouri. See registration information inside this Good News, and visit mocatholic.org in the upcoming weeks for more information about the 50th anniversary celebration.
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Keynote Address: Archbishop Christophe Pierre
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 Archbishop Christophe Louis Yves Georges Pierre was named Apostolic Nuncio to the United States by Pope Francis in 2016. As the Apostolic Nuncio, he serves as the Vatican's representative in the United States. In his address, Archbishop Pierre will discuss how the mission of evangelization can be carried out more effectively. "The Church needs to foster a greater sense of discipleship and mission, forming missionary disciples who have the task of giving prophetic witness through ongoing pastoral activity, calling others to deeper conversion, and to joyfully proclaim the Gospel. The Church cannot disengage from the rapidly secularizing and changing culture; rather, strengthened by the Spirit, she must be a missionary Church that goes forth, engaged in a permanent state of mission, building a world with more justice, reconciliation, and solidarity - a world which values and affirms the dignity of every person, and furthers a genuine culture of encounter in the promotion of life, love, and peace." Hear the address in full on Saturday, October 7 at the Missouri Catholic Conference 50th Anniversary celebration.
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Workshop Descriptions
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 Catholic Education: This presentation asks, "Who founded your school and why?" Msgr. Michael Witt will address the larger question of Catholic roots in Midwest educational efforts, formal and informal, which are a vital part of the Catholic evangelization of America's heartland. Besides the well known Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne and Father DeSmet, he'll cover other educational Religious Orders, their schools and developments over time. It is a story worth telling, and worth remembering, Msgr. Witt says, for it is the woof and wave of who we are as Midwest Catholics today.
 Pro-Life: Sue Thayer, a Planned Parenthood abortion center manager for 18 years, believed that she was helping women when she assisted them in obtaining an abortion. Her heart was changed when Planned Parenthood informed her that she would be required to provide webcam abortions at her small center in rural Iowa, requiring her to administer the lethal dose of medication. Hear Sue's story of conversion and redemption as she describes how she led the first 40 Days for Life campaign at the very clinic she worked for, and now operates a pregnancy resource center.
 Social Justice: Catholic Relief Services Vice President Joan Rosenhauer canvases how each of us is called by the Gospel to bring God's love into the world, responding to the suffering of His children and protecting His creation. Our Church is on the front lines wherever people are poor, hungry, victims of natural disasters and violence, or suffering in any way. This workshop will explore how our Church brings Catholic social teaching, including Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si', to life every day, and how each of us can be involved through prayer, through learning and sharing, and through advocacy.
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