U.S. mission directors leave Rome feeling their efforts are working

Published: 2008-02-07

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A pilgrimage of U.S. mission directors left Rome with a sense that their efforts are making a difference in the universal church, participants said. Msgr. John E. Kozar, national director of the pontifical missionary societies in the United States, led about 140 diocesan directors to Rome Jan. 29-Feb. 5 for Vatican meetings, workshops on communications, and visits to Assisi and other pilgrim spots. The goal was twofold: providing the spiritual uplift of a pilgrimage and energizing participants as missionaries by bringing them to the church's international center. Msgr. Kozar said what struck him during their stay was that people from mission countries are now assuming leadership roles in the universal church. Many are studying in Rome, while others are representing their countries in various roles at the Vatican, he said. He met with about 80 missionary sisters from Africa and Asia, including China and Vietnam, and said he was "overwhelmed" by the spirit of thankfulness among them.

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