What is the Mission Cooperative Plan?
Depending on the diocese the MCP is defined as the Missionary Cooperation Plan or the Missionary Cooperative Program. MCP provides an annual opportunity for Catholic parishioners across the U.S. to welcome global mission speakers and hear about their international ministry efforts. Since the late 1930s, speakers have visited parishes across the United States to share the story of global missions. Bishop William A. Griffin, auxiliary bishop for the Newark Archdiocese and then archdiocesan director of the Society for Propagation of the Faith, devised the plan to help solicit funds for global mission efforts. In this way, MCP took the burden off pastors who previously received requests from missionary organizations around the globe. Sister Marie Clarice Bates, SND, a missionary in India from 1960 to 1968, returned to Chardon, Ohio to take charge of the SND Mission Office and began the congregation’s participation in MCP in 1969. Since then, many sisters across the country have shared the SND Global Missions story with thousands of parishioners. Today, MCP provides an annual opportunity for Catholic parishioners across the U.S. to welcome global mission speakers and learn about and help support global missions.
Missionary Stories
Sister Valerie wears the traditional Indian dress and shared her personal experience of the Sisters’ ministries in India and Africa from her many visits to those countries. Sister Valerie Sweeney served as Director of Notre Dame Global Missions from 1996 to 2010. “In that role, I visited our missions in India six times and those in Africa twice, usually for six weeks at a time,” she states. “Those were life-changing experiences! I was able to meet many of our missionary sisters personally, and I visited all the locations where we ministered in the areas
of education, health care, and social work.
I saw first-hand the amazing work they did
with and for the people, especially the poor
and vulnerable.”
Sister Renetta Graff shared her Mission Appeal talk with the parishioners of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in Tampa, Florida. The parish began in 1893 when Jesuit Fathers founded a school for African American children. It is one of Tampa’s oldest Catholic churches and the oldest continuously operating historically Black grade school in Florida. The Liturgy was a celebration filled with spirit and joy, including a choir accompanied by piano and bongo drums. Sister was particularly moved by her conversation with Beverly, a soloist with the choir, whose family has attended the school for five generations.
Upon visiting Holy Martyrs of Vietnam, in St. Petersburg, Florida Sister Renetta reflected, “I was aware that the Liturgy was being celebrated in thousands of languages around the globe, but we are all One Body in Christ. Joseph Nguyen Hong An (pictured with Sister Renetta) was excited to introduce himself to me because the Sisters of Notre Dame were his teachers at the University in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.”
Sister Nanette Zeimet, SND from the Chardon region, visited Assumption Catholic Church in Midland, Michigan. Sr. Nan explained, “The parish is led by the Director of Parish Life, with a retired priest saying Masses. There is no pastor. The Director asks about birthdays, anniversaries, and prayer intentions before Mass. Each reading has an explanation to enhance understanding.” She also made a connection with a parishioner familiar with SNDs from Toledo!
Sister Lois Best reflected on her MCP visit saying, “Pope Francis states that ‘By our baptism we are all Missionary Disciples.’ We hear ‘missionary’ and think of those who go to foreign lands, but they need the support of the rest of us. I’ve given these talks repeatedly, and it is good to experience Church from East to West, North to South! It is good to become more AWARE of how much we have to be grateful for; to keep life-giving needs in prayer; to share what we don’t need, not ‘want,’ with those who really need.”
Sister Colette Theobald of the California region visited St. Francis of Assisi Church in Fillmore, CA. Sister Colette provided personal testimonials as a missionary in East Africa for nearly 2 decades. After the Mass, the violinist who played during the service approached Sr. Colette and thanked her for all she shared. He said, “I want to give something but I’m only 17, here, take it all.” Opening his wallet, he gave her all he had, $4. Sister Colette’s grateful words said it all, “The amount doesn’t matter. What is important is that you care for your brothers and sisters in need.”
Sister Lisa Megaffin says,“I have been
humbled by the encouragement and support
of those I’ve met. They so often express
gratitude for the sisters’ personal sacrifices
and commitment to those in need in Africa.”
In Santa Barbara, Sister Lisa Megaffin met Sharon and Tim Kearin; Sharon graduated from St. Michael’s School in Independence, Ohio,
and Tim, from Notre Dame Academy Elementary in Los Angeles.