Christian Brother Celebrated at Beatification Ceremony � e La Salle Christian Brother James Miller, described by friends and colleagues as simple, authentic and wholesome, is on his way to sainthood. Pope Francis officially recognized Brother James as a martyr in 2018, 36 years after he was shot and killed while working and serving in Guatemala. He was the first De La Salle Christian Brother from the United States to be beatified at a ceremony this past December. To reach the final level of official sainthood, Brother James must have one miracle, such as a medical cure without scientific explanation, posthumously attrib-
In 2012, St. Mary's University renamed its "New Village" Residencia Santiago Miller in honor of Brother James.
Missionaries Sent Forth Submitted by EDEN FOORD
This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His only Son into the world that we might live through Him.
�
1 John 4:9
nd to help spread this message of His infinite love, God is also sending SPIRITUS missionaries into the world, like ALI PREKKER from St. Catherine Parish, Luverne. SPIRITUS is a team of young adults in their 20s that operates out of Menasha, WI. Its goal is to inspire Catholic youth through retreats and youth ministry while forming lifelong missionary disciples and leaders for the Church. Ali is one of 15 missionaries from all over the country who joined SPIRITUS this year, the 11th year this ministry has been operating. These young adults are sent forth to spread the message of God’s love and serve the Catholic youth throughout the state of Wisconsin through a nine-month program that has the power to change lives dramatically: the lives of those whom these missionaries encounter as well as the lives of the missionaries themselves. Eden and Katherine Foord, the founders and directors of SPIRITUS, welcome a new team of missionaries each year and know what an impact SPIRITUS has on the youth. They state, “Young missionaries are critical to inspiring youth to follow Jesus and encounter God's love." Ali and the rest of the SPIRITUS missionaries change lives. Their loving and passionate discipleship resonates with our youth and awakens these youth to their Catholic faith while energizing them to do their part in renewing the life of the Church. The primary way that SPIRITUS missionaries achieve this is
through more than 150 retreats for more than 5,000 Catholic youth held each year. Ali has seen the impact that this missionary work is having firsthand. "During a special prayer time with one of the youths, a girl opened up to me about her struggles at home, and, by the end, we were both crying because I have experienced many of the same things. Through the tears, I told her what helped me get through it: discovering God's unimaginable love. I shared that He felt the same love for her despite all the messiness. There was laughter, happy tears, and a hug. It truly impacted her life." The youth, however, aren’t the only lives impacted by the SPIRITUS program. Team members are formed as lifelong missionary disciples through routines of prayer, spiritual direction, service and weekly formation courses. During their nine months of service, Ali and the other missionaries will spend 534 hours in prayer, 152 hours in leadership formation, 132 hours in ministry training and 421 hours in direct ministry to our Catholic youth. This is all done within an exciting, loving, and joyful community. Ali states, "Being a missionary entails so much more than I could have imagined. I have the opportunity to work and grow myself and gently challenge the youth to aspire to travel more in their own faith journeys; both of which have brought great joy to me and a deeper love for others." Statistics also indicate the powerful work SPIRITUS does to form leaders for the Church. Since its inception in 2009, 19 alumni of the SPIRITUS teams have gone on to pursue religious life or priesthood and 59 are working in ministry. The work isn’t always easy. Spending almost a year away from family and friends while working six days a week can take its toll. For this reason, the missionaries need all the support they can get from the Catholic community. When asked how Catholics from Ali’s diocese can
shot and killed. No one was ever arrested for his murder. Many assume he was killed because he fought to keep his students from being forced into the military. But, that’s not where Brother James’ story ends. In 1994, Guatemalan bishops began the canonization process, completing the first investigation. Twentyfour years later, Pope Francis cleared the way for beatification. In December, the ceremony took place near Brother James’ former school in Huehuetenango, Guatemala. While the school is no longer there, his memory remains in the form of the Brother James Miller Museum. On display is the shirt he was wearing the day he was killed along with the project he was working on. More than 2,000 former students, fellow Brothers, priests and bishops gathered for the beatification ceremony, including several people from Saint Mary’s University. In attendance was Dr. Tim Gossen, vice president of the Office of Student Affairs and Student Life at Saint Mary’s. Gossen said being there among Brother James’ students, hearing their personal stories, was incredibly moving. “It was amazing to be able to highlight and honor Brother James,” says Gossen. “Despite fears and civil unrest, he returned to Central America to fulfill his mission and do the work he believed God was calling him to do. He believed in education that much. And, he had that much faith.”
15
In the Diocese
By MAGGIE SONNEK
uted to him. Raised on a farm in Stevens Point, WI, Brother James graduated from then-Saint Mary’s College in Winona before working at then-Cretin High School in St. Paul. There, he taught Spanish, coached football, and served as a maintenance supervisor. “Students called him Brother Fix-it,” jokes friend and fellow Christian Brother Stephen Markham, FSC, the interim vice president for mission at Saint Mary’s University. The two lived together in college until professing their final vows. “He was a normal guy. Firm, but flexible. Quiet, but kind. And he loved to laugh.” Saint Mary’s alumnus John Soucheray remembers that kindness and laughter. Brother James was Soucheray’s head resident during his junior year. “The residents gathered for a dorm meeting after dinner, which for the students, was some kind of mystery meat. Brother James was smiling and telling us about a delicious steak-fry picnic he had just enjoyed with his fellow Brothers,” Soucheray explains. “We were whining and complaining. He just smiled and said, ‘If you want to have steak with us, then join the Brothers.’ That was him; humble and kind.” In 1969, Brother James was sent to Nicaragua, where he taught and built schools. A decade later, his religious superiors ordered him to leave due to conflict and revolution. He returned to Cretin, where he taught for a short time, until moving to Huehuetenango, Guatemala. There, he taught English, religion, and Guatemalan art to secondary level students at Casa Indigena School. “I asked Jim if it was wise for him to go back to Central America,” says Brother Stephen. “He responded without hesitation, ‘You can’t worry about that. There is too much to be done.’ That’s where he wanted to be, serving his people with compassion.” Just over a year after returning to Guatemala, at age 37, Brother James, a champion for the poor, was
Maggie Sonnek is a freelance writer in Wabasha. Her work can be found at millcitycreativempls.com
Ali Prekker (black shirt) is a SPIRITUS missionary from St. Catherine Parish in Luverne
help support the mission, Eden responded, “Please pray for Ali, the other missionaries and all the youth they will inspire this year.” Also, since SPIRITUS team members are not required to fundraise to pay for their living expenses while serving, “your financial support is very helpful.” Eden also states, “Living the life of a missionary is extremely challenging, so your words of support will make a difference as well. You can send a message to Ali at aliprekker@spiritusministries.org.” If you know of any young adults who want to inspire youth as a SPIRITUS missionary, please have them contact Rachel at rachelvanhandel@spiritusministries.org. Eden Foord is a founder and director of SPIRITUS.
February 2020 w The Courier w dowr.org
