BECOMING MISSIONARY DISCIPLES

Learn more and get inspired at diocesan gathering on Sept. 20

There may be no better person to talk about living as a missionary disciple and how it relates to the diocesan “Remade for Mission” initiative than Father Frank Donio, SAC, D.Min.

And on Sept. 20, Father Donio will be in the Diocese of Albany to do just that!

Father Donio — who works regularly with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic organizations, religious communities and dioceses on aspects of evangelization, co-responsibility and collaboration in ministry and the apostolate, Church leadership and management and pastoral planning — is headlining the diocesan “Pilgrims of Hope … Disciples on Mission” Jubilee Gathering at St. Matthew’s Church (25 Mountainview St.) in Voorheesville, which runs from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. This free event, sponsored by the Office for Discipleship Formation, will feature morning prayer led by Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger, two talks by Father Donio and a synod listening and sharing session.

“As the Jubilee Year 2025 draws to a close, and as our Diocese begins the ‘Remade for Mission’ initiative,” said David Amico, director of the Office for Discipleship Formation, “it seems fitting to gather ‘to fan the flame of hope … and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.’ ” (Pope Francis, Letter for the Jubilee 2025)

Father Donio, who is a member of the Immaculate Conception Province of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate and the founding director of the Catholic Apostolate Center and executive director of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men of the United States, talked with The Evangelist via email to preview this exciting and informative event that is meant for everyone in the Diocese, from parishioners, pastors, associate pastors, parish life directors/coordinators, trustees, pastoral councils, finance councils and leaders of parish ministries.

TE:  Can you give us a preview of what your presentations will be about and entail?

FD:  The day is arranged in three parts. The first is morning prayer led by Bishop Scharfenberger during which I will give a reflection called “Pilgrims of Hope — Disciples on Mission.” I will offer some considerations on being pilgrims of hope in the Church and in the world. Since we are disciples of Christ, we are sent by him on mission for him accompanying others into the life of faith. The second part will be an interactive presentation called “Living as Missionary Disciples: Remade for Mission.” During it, I will assist the group in learning more about the approach of the U.S. bishops to evangelization through its 2017 document, “Living as Missionary Disciples.” I will also offer ways in which the methods and principles from it can be implemented in the “Remade for Mission” process. During the third part, I will facilitate a synodal conversation among the participants as they consider ways in which they and their parishes and ministries can live as pilgrims of hope and disciples on mission.

TE:  How can the faithful in the Diocese be pilgrims of hope the way Pope Francis and now Pope Leo envision it?

FD:  We can only be pilgrims of hope if we truly believe that Jesus is our ultimate hope — here, now and hereafter. We need to support one another along the way, in order to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. No matter what our life situation, we can bring hope to the world in large and small ways. I think the first words of Pope Leo after his election speak so well to this. “We are followers of Christ. Christ goes before us. The world needs his light. Humanity needs him as the bridge that can lead us to God and his love. Help us, one and all, to build bridges through dialogue and encounter, joining together as one people, always at peace.” (https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/messages/urbi/documents/20250508-prima-benedizione-urbietorbi.html)

TE:  What does being a disciple on mission mean to you?

FD:  As Catholics we are comfortable with seeing ourselves as members of the Church, members of a particular parish. But we are not as familiar with seeing ourselves as disciples and missionaries, or as Pope Francis said “missionary disciples.” We have not yet grasped the depth and the power of our baptism by which we became missionary disciples. Every time we celebrate the Eucharist, we are renewing our baptismal call to go and announce the Gospel by our lives and to make the Reign of God manifest in our world. This is not really anything new. For example, the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy are really about living as missionary disciples. It is simply about adjusting the lens we use to see our life in Christ.

TE:  The Diocese of Albany has launched a Remade for Mission initiative on ­spiritual renewal and ­revitalization. What is the best way, do you think, to accomplish that?

FD:  Spiritual renewal needs to rely on the Holy Spirit. In “Living as Missionary Disciples,” the U.S. bishops devote a section on being “dependent on the Holy Spirit.” We think that things are dependent solely on us. Instead, we are called to cooperate with the Holy Spirit, to discern the way forward together, to be in dialogue with one another and with God, and then we will find the way together. We accompany one another. We walk together with one another as a community of faith. There will be difficulty and disagreement, but ultimately, the Holy Spirit brings about unity. Already in his pontificate, Pope Leo has emphasized the need to listen, to dialogue, and to be humble. This is the path of a Church that is synodal. This is the path that is envisioned in the Remade for Mission process.

TE:  How do we let go of ­buildings and structures and truly be a faithful focused on mission?

FD:  Church buildings and structures are symbolic of the communities that built them. Therefore, they are not only buildings. To say that does not honor the memories, feelings and emotions of people. It is much like when someone decides to let go of the family home where they have lived for many years. They know it is necessary, but it is still painful. We need to help one another grieve those losses and find new life in another place, as well as take along some items that honor the past. It is also important to recognize that even if “my” building does not close, my “community” has to become a new community, open to new ideas and ways of living together as missionary disciples.

To register for this day of prayer and inspiration, click on the attached QR code or call the Office for Discipleship Formation at (518) 453-6670.