Mission director lives locally, but thinks globally

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Claire Thomas wants to make the church's worldwide missions -- both the missionaries and the people they serve -- more real to the people of northeast Wisconsin.

The director of World Mission Services for the Green Bay Diocese views that task as both her job description and her personal mission statement.

"My job is both educational and relational," Thomas said. "We educate children about missions, we arrange for missionaries to visit diocesan churches and we raise money for mission organizations, among other things."

Thomas was raised in Allouez -- a suburb sandwiched between Green Bay and De Pere on the east side of the Fox River -- and she still lives there with her twin sister, but her vision is global.

"Many of my family members have worked for the church," she said, "and I always wanted a job where I could be of service. I began as a secretary in the World Mission office 37 years ago, then was promoted to coordinator, next to acting director. In 1996, I was appointed director. I'm where I am today because of the people I've worked with and because of the confidence of my superiors."

Her responsibilities include promoting the World Mission Services programs and managing the department by establishing goals, budgets and strategies. She corresponds with parishes, schools and individuals, and acts as a resource person for people's concerns. She also formulates appeals and letters of appreciation.

Thomas works with three pontifical mission agencies: Propagation of the Faith, which supports spiritual and pastoral evangelization personnel; Holy Childhood Association, which helps children understand that they have a role in serving Jesus; and St. Peter the Apostle, which supports native missionaries in various countries. She also works with Catholic Relief Services, which offers humanitarian relief efforts aimed at rebuilding homes and lives.

"I love corresponding with donors," Thomas said. "Some collections are done through the parishes, while others go directly to people's homes. Holy Childhood works mostly through the schools."

Parishioners in the diocese find Thomas a valuable source of information when they want to learn the legitimacy of a mission.

"One comment I get from people is 'there are so many causes, which do I give to?'" Thomas said. "They look to me for help. I tell them to give heartfelt consideration to each cause. If they can't give financially, at least say a prayer, then don't fret about it. There are many legitimate causes and they all need money, but each person can't support all of them. What we can do is to pray, no matter what our age or circumstances."

Financial support and balance has a lot to do with Thomas' job.

"The Missionary Cooperative Plan, in which missionaries visit the churches, generates about 160 appeals each year, so we rotate them," she said. "We accommodate 38 missionaries a year, and each one visits four to five churches in our diocese. We have some criteria to help us decide who is chosen each year. For example, if a mission organization is in our diocese, they're accepted first. If a bishop makes a request or if any Green Bay diocesan priest is the missionary, they also go to the top of the list. After that we use a rotation system."

Thomas said missionaries' visits are effective means of bringing missions closer to reality for parishioners.

"It helps us all get to know more about people in other countries," she said. "We divide the money equally among the missionaries so that it doesn't matter if they go to a small or large parish. They're not just here for the appeal but also to educate."

Hospitality is an area of the job in which parishioners can help out.

"It's a lot for priests to manage," Thomas said. "We usually provide accommodations here in the Green Bay area, but if the missionaries are visiting a parish that's some distance away, they need somewhere to stay. Often, though, it helps to just have someone offer coffee or a meal and make them feel welcome."

Thomas' own visit to a mission several years ago in the Dominican Republic reinforced the importance of supporting missions around the world.

"I saw such poverty, and the people seemed so resigned to it," she said. "Bringing the gospel message gives people hope. Providing food, clothing and shelter are important too, but the most important thing is bringing the gospel."