Mission FIDES - History

Mission FIDES - History

Who We Are
Mission FIDES (MF) exists as a family of believers, united in the True Faith of Jesus Christ, with the collective goal of fostering spiritual growth in the Church by continuing in our own personal spiritual growth and the growth in the lives of others, as well as in the perpetuation and spread of the Gospel. At the core of Mission FIDES stand its founders: Kathleen Clark, Thomas Knoell, and Nancy Courtright Tanner. The home base for Mission FIDES is currently in Chicago, IL.

Our History
In the Spring of 1994, a group of Catholic lay people, headed by Thomas Knoell and James Clark of Phoenix, AZ, launched an effort to found a non-profit organization with the intent to promote their Faith both here in the United States and abroad. On August 24^th of the same year, after much work and even more prayer, Mission FIDES became a reality in Chicago, IL. At its very outset and conception, Mission FIDES began a search for priests, religious, and laity who would be best suited to implement its purpose and fulfill its work. That initial search found Fr. Donald J. McGuire, S.J., a Jesuit priest of the Chicago Province, whose ongoing work throughout the world was clearly identified with the proposed purpose of Mission FIDES. Nancy Courtright Tanner, secretary and manager for Fr. McGuire for 10 years, was offered the position of Executive Director. Her acceptance made the transition to the larger task of MF relatively smooth. Her husband, John Tanner, of Phoenix, AZ, has assumed the position of Program Director of Mission FIDES. Dozens of other Priests and lay members help sustain the MF ministry.

Our Ministry
The term “Mission”, which means “to be sent”, describes our true identity in realizing the commission from Jesus Christ at the time of His Ascension:

“Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

The term “FIDES”, Latin word for “Faith”, signifies the sole and universal purpose of our ministry: to spread the True Faith of Jesus Christ throughout the world. Recalling the words of the Holy Father, Pope John Paull II:

“Since they are members of the Church by virtue of their baptism, all Christians
share a responsibility for missionary activity.”

Mission FIDES continues to be motivated by these words, touching 6 continents and over 34 countries in its ongoing ministry.

Retreat Work: The very heart of Mission FIDES’ ministry consists of retreats based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. With the generous gift of priests and volunteers Mission FIDES sponsors nearly 25 retreats a year, which include 3-Day, 4-Day, and 8-Day retreats. However, Mission FIDES also sponsors seminars, conferences, parish missions, days of recollection, and other such guided spiritual functions.

Vocational and Other Work: Mission FIDES is instrumental in promoting vocations to the consecrated life and the priesthood. Many priests and religious men and women are engaged in the very work that Mission FIDES sponsors (see Retreat Masters). Maintaining in the daily lives of the faithful, Mission FIDES is involved in supporting the priesthood in all of its sacramental aspects. It also whole-heartedly supports home schools and other small parent-founded schools by providing and engaging in the formation of teachers, administrators, and advisors.

Fr. Donald J. McGuire, S.J.
The very heart of Mission FIDES’ ministry consists of sponsoring retreats, based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. As a Jesuit Priest and Retreat Master for over 40 years, Fr. McGuire’s expertise presented a tremendous asset to fulfilling the goals and purpose of Mission FIDES. With the permission of his Jesuit Superiors, Father McGuire's ministry extended to priests, religious and laity throughout the world of every age and condition, in particular with Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity. Mission FIDES continues the work he began and continues to offer his unique retreats and seminars on audio and video media.

Mission FIDES is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. It is also an approved USCC Catholic tax-exempt organization. All gifts are 100% tax-deductible.