“Welcoming international members in community and ministry” was the theme of last week’s one-hour Zoom conference hosted by the US Provincial Administration. Increasingly, the Church in the United States is multicultural, not just in the pews but among the many priests and religious who serve it. Approximately half of the Zoom conference participants were Dehonians born in countries other than the United States. Helping international ministers and religious feel welcome and at home in the US is a priority for the province.
Dr. Paul Ashton, Psy.D., D. Min., was the presenter. He has led a wide variety of workshops and training seminars in dioceses throughout the world. And while the theme of the presentation focused on welcoming international religious and other ministers, his words spoke to a wider sense of welcoming.
“Some of the most important questions that we can ask another person are ‘How are you managing? What do you need? What do you want?’” Dr. Ashton noted that not every “want” is possible, but it is important to get a sense of what people are yearning for, especially people navigating a culture which is new to them.
“Life is short and people need you,” said Dr. Ashton. “People need a kind word, a smile; sometimes much more. Develop trust by being vulnerable. Jesus himself was vulnerable for us. He is our model.”
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