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Cambodia: Mill Hill’s new mission
CAMBODIA
- MILL HILL’S NEW MISSION
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Bishop Enrique, SJ, with Mill Hill Missionaries Fr Jacob and Fr Glenn - Cambodia
[In 2019, Mill Hill became involved in a new missionary outreach in Battambang, Cambodia. The Apostolic Prefect of the diocese is Bishop Enrique (a Spanish Jesuit). Below, you can read about his thoughts on mission and about the great work he is doing. But before that we have what our Mill Hill priests have written. The Irish Region of Mill Hill is providing financial support to the mission.]
Fr Glenn Diaz mhm wrote:
“We am very happy to receive the money from the Irish Region of Mill Hill, as we are now visiting families, especially the very poor families and those badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The donations will really be of great help to those in dire need. Rest assured that I will update you in writing (with pictures) on how the money will be spent. Please keep us in your prayers. I extend our prayers and heartfelt gratitude to all the Irish people who are constantly remembering and supporting us through prayers and financial aid for the poor.
I sent an email to the Mill Hill General Council giving an update on the development of the land purchase project with the money that came from the Irish Region through the General Council. I am also acknowledging with gratitude the receipt of more money from Ireland for the food packs distribution to the needy. Finally, we would like to thank you all for the generosity extended to us here in Cambodia and please continue to keep us in your prayers.”
Fr Jacob Chilka mhm wrote:
“We distributed ‘food packs’ in the parish Mass Centre ‘Jesus Farm’. The elderly and the needy gathered together to receive the food packs. Encouraged by the spirit of our generous benefactors, we continue to serve the people of God. We thank our benefactors (Irish people and others) for all their support to us Mill Hill Missionaries in Cambodia. May God bless you all.”
‘Food Packs’ distributed to the needy
Bishop Enrique explains: “The Mission of Christians in Cambodia”
“The image of the giraffe explains the mission of Christians in Cambodia - a gentle presence, not violent, but strong and vigorous. The giraffe has the biggest heart in the animal kingdom, even bigger than the elephant’s; it means for us a heart capable of love, strength and compassion. In addition, thanks to its size, the giraffe has a panoramic vision. It can look far in different directions; this is a sign of spiritual vision and the gaze of faith on life. It lives peacefully in the savannah with many other different animals. For us, this means knowing how to remain in dialogue as a small Christian community in a predominantly Buddhist country, promoting peaceful coexistence between cultures and different faiths.
The Catholic Church in Cambodia is a small community of 20,000 faithful out of 16 million total inhabitants of the country. In 2005, Catholics celebrated 450 years of the presence of the Catholic faith in the country. We are here to build the common good, to build an inclusive society and bring the joy of life in Christ, everywhere, to every man and woman. As believers in the Resurrection, as men and women of hope, we are bearers of a positive vision, of hope, joy and happiness”.
“Their look of faith touches my heart” “The people believe the secret of happiness is that everyone takes care of the other, within the family and the village community. It is this testimony of faith that I receive from the poor. I believe I can meet God in people, especially the poor and the marginalized. He gives me the grace to see the sparks of His
Fr Jacob (left) and Fr Glenn (front) distributing food
Fr Glenn (left) with the owner of the land being purchased Fr Glenn paying the land owners
presence. It is truly enlightening for me to go and visit remote villages. An elderly man told me about their difficult life, but he spoke with a serene outlook on the future. ‘We are together,’ he said, ‘ready to build the future and we trust in God.’ This is what I learn from them; their look of faith touches my heart.”
‘Bishop of wheelchairs’
The Bishop is known for his tireless commitment to assisting the most needy, destitute and vulnerable in Cambodia since he arrived as a missionary in Cambodia in 1985. He leads a community of around 5,000 Catholics in Battambang. He founded the “Arrupe Center” to promote development throughout the diocese with educational projects, professional training for adults, infrastructure and humanitarian aid. He reports: “We have founded schools for disabled children, centres for vocational training for women, hospitals to assist the sick, and centres to help the marginalized in society.”
In 1991, in Phnom Penh, he founded “The House of the Dove” for children maimed by landmines. Many of them have serious disabilities and need a lot of help that is provided in a number of programmes. In one of the programmes, they learn to build wheelchairs following the model used in the area of the Mekong - a wooden wheelchair with three wheels; this project has earned Bishop Enrique the nickname “Bishop of Wheelchairs”.
Masters in Theology - Maynooth
Fr Bawe Philip Shube was conferred with a Masters in Theology at Maynooth University on Saturday November 6, 2021. Fr Philip is a Mill Hill Missionary priest from Cameroon. The graduation ceremony was attended by two other Mill Hill priests: Fr Maurice McGill and Fr Des McGillicuddy.
Philip has been in Ireland for two years and will now continue with studies at Maynooth to obtain a Doctorate in Theology. His two years here covered most of the period of Covid-19 restrictions which has made things complicated and difficult for him at times. For much of the time, he had to continue with his studies Online while residing in St Joseph’s House.
We congratulate Philip and wish him well on the road ahead.
Fr Philip being congratualted by the President of Maynooth, Fr Michael Mullaney - with Fr Des (left) and Fr Maurice
Fr Philip with Archbishop Eamon Martin
St Joseph’s Altar in Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar
DEVOTION TO ST JOSEPH
By Nuala Higgins
Who would have ever thought that a free commercial newspaper would lead to a new found devotion to St Joseph? Some years ago while on holiday in Santa Cruz, California, and discussing where I could attend Mass, my friend Susan showed me the advert in their free weekly newspaper which read “Shrine of St Joseph Guardian of the Redeemer, Daily and Sunday Mass at 11am. Confessions at 10.30am.”
So the following morning we set off to the Shrine for Mass, not for one moment expecting the profound and lasting effect it would have on me. The location alone is idyllic, a beautiful Pacific coastal setting with stunning views of Monterey Bay. Situated in the neatly kept grounds at the Shrine is a prayer garden with the seven sorrows and seven joys of St Joseph all sculpted in bronze. Pilgrims are invited to walk the winding pathway. A prayer card is provided to assist meditation on the life and virtues of St Joseph. The Rector of the Shrine was Fr Paul McDonnell OSJ (Oblates of St Joseph) who was very proud of his Irish heritage - his grandfather came to Pennsylvania from County Antrim.
The title “Guardian of the Redeemer” certainly struck a chord with me and set me thinking about St Joseph and his very important role as the earthly father of Jesus rather than a foster father. A guardian is someone who is strong, not just in heart and mind but also physically. Although often depicted as an old man with a grey beard and many years older than Mary, I think St Joseph must have been young because it is most unlikely that God the Father would entrust the upbringing and education of his Son to an elderly man.
The demands on Joseph’s life certainly could not have been undertaken by an old man. From Nazareth to Bethlehem is a long walk - about 90 miles. I have been to the Holy Land and the terrain is very rough and the heat is intense and the dangers immense.
Then there was the ‘Flight into Egypt’ with the infant Jesus and Mary, when they heard Herod was on their trail. They lived in Egypt for a number of years not knowing anybody. Life could not have been easy. On learning of Herod’s death from an angel in a dream, another long journey lay ahead for Joseph, Mary and Jesus. So there are many good reasons to believe that Joseph must have been young.
Like any good father, Joseph would often have held the infant Jesus in his arms. This wonderful scene is depicted in a magnificent stained glass window in the Church of St Joseph the Worker in Ozark, Missouri. Joseph is shown as a young man with a dark beard. It is a very meaningful scene, with Mary resting in the background. (See photo taken by Nuala herself).
Although Joseph is the man who taught Jesus to speak and Jesus must surely have spoken with the same accent as his earthly father, there is not one single word spoken by Joseph in the New Testament. Jesus never once mentioned Joseph in his public life but maybe he is paying tribute to him when he said “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.”
“Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, To you God entrusted his only Son.” (Pope Francis) Holy Family sculpture - India
