Such is the call of the church, he explained, as the delegates returned home -- to unite people together by going to the peripheries of society and sharing the good news of Jesus through action rooted in faith.

"Sisters and brothers, we are in a very, very significant time in our church in this country," Cardinal DiNardo said. "John 17 today reminds me of how contemplative we're going to have to be if we are going to be active. Never are you more active than when the word of God is so recalled by you. You are seated there in God's loving grace, and when you are seated there, you realize how much God blesses you."

The cardinal urged the delegates to engage in their ministry humbly and to realize that they are nourished in their work through the body and blood of Jesus at Mass.

"We leave here (at the altar) nourished and refreshed and we go and do what we have to do," he said.

As the Mass ended, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the U.S., congratulated convocation participants for a lively and invigorating four days. He recapped the keynote presentations, reminding the delegates what they can do in their communities, much like the apostles, to "give comfort and peace to the wounded."

"We are journeying together in the common bonds of the journey of faith," said the archbishop who attended the entire four-day conference that opened July 1.

"This is a 'kairos' moment" in the life of the U.S. church, he added, calling people to share "by the witness of your lives" by being missionary disciples, as Pope Francis calls the faithful to be.

Archbishop Pierre also said in his upcoming report to the pope that he would explain that "the Spirit is alive in the church in the United States."

"I will tell him of the commitment of many missionary disciples and their love for the church."

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Follow Sadowski on Twitter: @DennisSadowski.