By Maureen Smith
JACKSON – Finding true common ground takes work, a commitment to be open and a willingness to change. These were some of the messages 70 priests, deacons and lay ministers took away from a day-long workshop offered in Jackson by the Catholic Committee of the South’s “Gathering for Mission” program on Tuesday, Sept. 18. The Catholic Committee of the South is a network of bishops, other church leaders, field workers and organizations across the South who all work with people on the margins of society. The committee put together the Gathering for Mission project in response to Pope Francis’ call for more true dialogue in the church.
A team of facilitators is traveling from diocese to diocese to offer clergy and church leaders training in the difference between debate and dialogue, deep listening and the process of entering into true dialogue. Bishop Joseph Kopacz serves on the Catholic Committee of the South. The Diocese of Jackson is one of the first in the nation to host a Gathering for Mission workshop. Prior to the stop here, the team presented the exercise to more than 200 priests in the Archdiocese of Atlanta as well as offering it at Mundelein Seminary in Indiana.
Participants were on the move all day – changing tables between each lesson and discussion. Early in the day, Patrick O’Neill spoke about how getting to know someone prior to a dialogue can dramatically impact the outcome. “One of my favorite exercises was when those at the table shared what their own name means and their favorite place on Earth and why,” said Deacon Ted Schreck. “My heart traveled with the other table members from rural Missouri to India to Millsaps College to New Orleans to Canada and Michigan. All of these took us to an awareness and reminder to encounter our parishioners and everyone we meet. We are all very busy and sometimes the business side of the Church pulls us away from being with Jesus’ people,” he continued.

Leslye Colvin, communications coordinator for Gathering for Mission, said that opening exercise can be powerful. “When you are in a room full of people there is an energy present. Early on, we ask a question, it’s a simple question, but it touches people in a profound way,” said Colvin. “You can feel the energy in the room change because people want to share – they are waiting their turn and want to hear others peoples’ stories. The room is on fire with that energy,” she added. Once people feel connected to the other participants, “from that safe place, the day unfolds,” Colvin explained.
The five-year project has the lofty goal of openng the possibility of transforming church leadership in the U.S. and Canada. The group believes true dialogue and open sharing are the keys for the church to move forward. True dialogue, according to the training, calls each person involved to re-evaluate their assumptions and actions and calls on both parties to be willing to change their attitudes or behaviors in search of common ground. “In some ways, it reminded me of the professional workshops that I have attended in the corporate world over the past 25 years but this one gave us the opportunity to explore issues specific to the Church in the Catholic Diocese of Jackson,” said Deacon Schreck, who traveled from Southaven for the day.
“We want to strengthen discipleship and also feed individual disciples on their own faith journey and I believe both these instances are a way to promote the gospel of Christ and reduce the number of barriers in society,” said Colvin.
Glenmary’s Commission on peace, justice and the care for creation partnered with the Catholic Committee of the South for this project. Organizers hope to bring the workshop to every diocese they can.