CMSM National Assembly 2023
InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza | August 1-3, 2023

This year’s theme focuses on the twin topics of charism and community. While these terms are familiar, they both mask complex issues within religious life. For charism—what exactly do we mean by it? How can its fullness be lived out? How can it be adapted to new circumstances a community may face?

Similarly, although “community” is widely discussed, significant contemporary issues remain—how can communities navigate increasingly intercultural and intergenerational common life, as well as issues that can affect perseverance, such as loneliness, wellness problems, and polarization within our communities?

Our conversations during the National Assembly will be framed by the results of a CARA study (commissioned by CMSM) of male religious communities from the perspective of their leaders.

Join fellow leaders in Kansas City, MO along with experts who will help us engage in conversation about these topics.

Registration Details

Registration for the National Assembly is open!

  • Register here.
  • Standard pricing is available through Friday, July 7, 2023.
  • Once you have registered for the Assembly, make sure to book your hotel room(s) at the InterContinental.
    • Once you put in the dates of the Assembly, our group rate will populate ($133 per night).
  • Assembly Registration closes on Friday, July 7, 2023, at 5:00 pm ET.

Standard Pricing 

  • First Attendee:
    • $655
    • This rate is available through Friday, July 7, 2023
  • Additional Attendee:
    • $555 ($100 off)
    • This rate is available through Friday, July 7, 2023

We encourage you to come to the Assembly with members of your council. For this reason, we have discounted registration for additional attendees from each community.

Assembly Overview

Overview

The theme of this year’s National Assembly is “We are the Body of Christ: Charism & Community.” We are looking forward to delving into the complex nature of both charism and community and their impact on male religious communities.

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Susan Timoney back to the National Assembly this year as our Facilitator.

Daily Breakdown

  • Monday, July 31
    • Pre-Assembly – New Frontiers in Safeguarding
      • 7:30 am – Mass
      • 8:00 am – Breakfast
      • 9:00 am – Program begins
      • 5:00 pm – Program concludes
  • Tuesday, August 1
    • Presidential Address
      • Fr. Jeffrey Kirch, CPPS, CMSM President
    • Presentation: CARA/CMSM survey findings
      • Fr. Tom Gaunt, SJ, Executive Director of CARA
    • Plenary Session: Living the Fullness of Charism
      • Br. Daryl Moresco, O. Carm., Fr. David Muñoz, OMI, Fr. Josh Warshak, OSST, and Fr. Alex Rubio, MSpS
  • Wednesday, August 2
    • Plenary Session: Perseverance & Community Life
      • Fr. Aaron Wessman, GHM, Fr. Quinn Connors, O. Carm., Sr. Mercedes McCann, RSM
    • Plenary Session: Interculturality
      • Fr. Allan Figueroa Deck, SJ, Fr. Vien V. Nguyen, SCJ, Fr. Celso A. Tabalanza, CICM
  • Thursday, August 3
    • Morning –
      • Plenary Session: Intergenerationality
        • Fr. James Herring, O. Praem., Bro. Sean Moffett, CFC, Abbot Marion Nguyen, OSB
      • Assembly Synthesis
    • Afternoon –
      • Post-Assembly – Managing Communal Commitments: Models & Mergers
        • 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Schedule

  • Engaging topics

  • Group Discussions

  • Business & Regional Meetings

  • Board Elections

  • Exhibit Hall

  • Pre-Assembly & Post-Assembly

Monday, July 31

  • Pre-Assembly: New Frontiers in Safeguarding (full-day program)

The sexual abuse of minors has garnered a strong response from religious communities over the past 20 years, culminating in a distinct safeguarding ministry, exemplified by adherence to the Praesidium Accreditation Standards and a commitment to creating and sustaining cultures of safety within our religious communities.

Today, however, safeguarding ministry is facing new challenges, spurred in part by recent lookback laws on sexual harassment of adults, social movements like “me too,” and an increasing awareness of the necessity of maintaining good boundaries. Join us for this day-long program examining the process and best practices for addressing adult misconduct in your community.

  • New Attendee Welcome Reception (tentatively scheduled for 5:30 pm)

Tuesday, August 1

  • Opening Mass
  • Presidential Address from Fr. Jeffrey Kirch, CPPS
  • Presentation on the CARA/CMSM survey findings by Fr. Tom Gaunt, SJ
  • Small & Large Group Discussions
  • Plenary Session: Living the Fullness of Charism
  • Regional Meetings
  • Opening Reception
  • Exhibit Hall

Wednesday, August 2

  • Mass & Spiritual Reflection
  • Plenary Session: Perseverance & Community Life
  • Plenary Session: Interculturality
  • Business Meeting
  • Evening Reception
  • Exhibit Hall

Thursday, August 3

  • Mass & Spiritual Reflection
  • Plenary Session: Intergenerationality
  • Assembly Synthesis
  • Closing luncheon
  • Post-Assembly: Managing Communal Commitments: Models & Mergers (half-day program)

What models are available for managing communal commitments? How have communities engaged expertise, whether from outside their community or from their charismatic family, in the governance and administration of their community? In addition to these more general questions, what are some of the best practices and key issues that arise from the merger of jurisdictions? Join a wide-ranging panel of leaders and experts as we engage in a half-day discussion about these issues.

Speakers

Click on the names below to learn more about our speakers.

Fr. Jeffrey Kirch, C.PP.S.
Missionaries of the Precious Blood

Thomas P. Gaunt, SJ, Ph.D.
Society of Jesus

Br. Daryl Moresco, O.Carm.
Order of Carmelites

Fr. David Muñoz, O.M.I.
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate

Fr. Alexandro Rubio, MSpS
Missionaries of the Holy Spirit

Fr. Joshua Warshak, O.SS.T.
Order of the Most Holy Trinity and of the Captives

Fr. Quinn R. Conners, O.Carm., Ph.D.
Order of Carmelites

Sr. Mercedes McCann, RSM
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas

Fr. Robert Aaron Wessman, GHM
Glenmary Home Missioners

Fr. Allan Figueroa Deck, SJ, Ph.D., STD
Society of Jesus

Fr. Vien V. Nguyen, SCJ
Priests of the Sacred Heart

Fr. Celso A. Tabalanza, CICM
Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM)

Fr. James Herring, O. Praem.
Norbertine Fathers of Delaware

Br. Patrick Sean Moffett, CFC
Edmund Rice Christian Brothers North America

Abbot Marion Q. Nguyen, OSB
Order of St. Benedict

Dr. Susan Timoney
The Catholic University of America

Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C.
Conference of Major Superiors of Men

Logistics

Lodging:

Lodging has been arranged at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza. Click here for the CMSM booking link, we have a special room rate of $133. When you input the dates of the Assembly, the special rate will be automatically applied.

  • Hotel check-in: 4:00 pm CT
  • Hotel check-out: 11:00 am CT

Arrival/Departure:

  • Arrival: If you are not attending the Pre-Assembly on Monday, July 31, we reccomend arriving anytime after 4:00 pm CT on Monday, July 31. The Assembly programming will begin at 8:00 am on Tuesday, August 1.
  • Departure: Assembly programming will conclude after lunch (at 1:00 pm CT) on Thursday, August 3. The Post-Assembly will take place directly after lunch on Thursday, August 3 and conclude at 5:00 pm CT.

Airport:

Rental Cars:

  • There are 11 companies onsite at the airport.
  • For more details, visit the airport website.

Shuttles, Vans, Taxis:

  • 1st Shuttle Service: 816-868-0202
  • 5 Guys Transportation: 816-891-9999
  • Abe’s Transportation: 816-349-5393
  • There are many more options here.

Ubers & Lyfts: Ubers and Lyfts are available, follow the signage at the airport.

Parking at the Hotel: At the InterContinental, self-parking is available for a daily rate of $20.

We look forward to seeing you in Kansas City, MO! If you have any logistical questions about the Assembly, please contact Greta David, Director of Communications, at gdavid@cmsm.org or (240) 394-1851.

Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors who help make this National Assembly possible! Please click on the logos below to learn more about this year’s sponsors.

Sponsors are added to the website as they are confirmed.

We welcome inquiries from organizations that offer services and programs that meet members’ needs. If you are interested, please send your information, including a link to your website and brief information about the services you provide, to Chris Pierno.