“Make of the world one family”
Xaverian Mission Volume 57 - No. 3 |
August 2009
Newsletter
Website: xaviermissionaries.org • MissionBlog: xaverianmissionaries.blogspot.com
The Hopeful Journey of the African Catholic Church
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ow should the Gospel be proclaimed in Africa marked by hatred, wars and injustices? The question is an invitation to the Church to start afresh from Christ, the Fullness of Life, our Reconciler, our Peace and our Justice. Christ is our “Hope” (cf. 1 Tm 1:1). In the light of this, our U.S. Bishops remind us that “the critical challenges and enormous potential facing Africa today serve as the opportunity for- and test of- our mutual solidarity. Our response as US citizens to this vocation of solidarity with the Church and peoples of Africa enables us to express love ‘in deed and in truth’ (1 John 3:18), a love that creates no borders and sets no limits to what might be accomplished together in Christ.” A group of fulani women in search for rain found also where we work in Cameroon, Africa
The Holy Father called a special gathering of the African Bishops this October 2009, its second since the monumental pastoral letter of John Paul II, The Church in Africa. It calls us all, especially as Americans in solidarity with Africa, with a special opportunity to not only learn about our brothers and sisters of the African Church, but to act together with them in order to build a new world in Christ. In this issue of XMN, we hope the stories from some of our missionary experiences in Africa and the hope they portray encourage you to learn more about what we do in Africa and the many opportunities we all have to put our faith into action in extraordinary ways. Borrowing from our Bishops we can say, “a parish reaching beyond its own members and beyond national boundaries is truly a ‘catholic’ parish.” The Xaverian Missionaries are deeply committed to the peoples of Africa in Cameroon, Chad, Sierra Leone, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and our newest mission in Mozambique on its eastern shores. Join us as global disciples of Jesus Christ! U – CC
Days of Prayer and Action for Colombia
What can your Family and Parish do to be in Solidarity with Africa? X averian Missionaries
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Pray regularly for our brothers and sisters in Africa. Prayer must always be the starting point and foundation for our work of solidarity. Too often we fail to recognize the power of prayer and how important it is for our brothers and sisters in situations of great difficulty to know that we truly are one with them in the Spirit. As Pope Benedict XVI wrote in his first encyclical Deus Caritas Est, “people who pray are not wasting their time, even though the situation appears desperate and seems to call for action alone…”
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Preach and teach on the challenges facing the Church in Africa and what we can do to help. Consider organizing an annual educational “African Sunday” in conjunction with the solidarity collection.
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Advocate on behalf of the peoples of Africa. Individuals and groups within the Catholic Church in the United States are actively engaged with the Church in Africa in the promotion of human rights, debt relief, increased development assistance, demobilization of child soldiers, promotion of peace in troubled regions, and protection of the environment. We encourage parishes to help Catholics to educate themselves about Africa and commit themselves to the promotion of justice, peace, and development through public advocacy. Consider signing up for your diocese’s legislative alerts, visit CRS’s Africa Rising: Hope and Healing website, and note recent USCCB advocacy on issues impacting Africa. Visit also the African Faith and Justice Network (www.afjn.org)
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Partner with a sister parish in Africa: American parishes have found “twinning” with African sister parishes to be enriching experiences of communion and a means of deepening bonds of solidarity with other members of the Body of Christ. Possible ideas could include sponsoring seminarians, contributing funds for the construction of village chapels, wells, and catechist houses, setting up Catholic school letter exchanges, or establishing reciprocal spiritual formation programs.
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Xaverian Mission Newsletter • August 2009
Xaverian Missionaries in the World
A Message of Hope: The Pope’s Gift to Africans
Fr. Rene Lovat, who worked for many years in the USA Province, with members of his parish in Benakuma, Chad, Africa
Taste of Mission
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he visit of Benedict XVI from March 17-20, 2009 was a special “grace” to the Church of Cameroon. It was a joyous occasion filled with great emotion. All of the Bishops of Africa and Madagascar were at Yaoundé, Cameroon to receive the guide from the successor of Peter for the upcoming Synod of Bishops for Africa to be held in October in Rome. During his stay in Cameroon, Benedict XVI delivered a message rich in meaning. The Pope expressed his gratitude to the African continent that contributed actively to the development and growth of Christianity worldwide. The names of St. Cyprian, St. Augustine, Saint Athanasius, Origen, Tertullian, St. Monica are emblems of early Christianity and all former residents of the continent of Africa. Even today, the sons and daughters of Africa continue to give their contribution to the mission of the church in all corners of the world. There are African missionaries, priests, religious and lay worldwide, the sign of the ever maturing church of Africa.
Try this recipe from SierraLeone, West Africa In his speech upon arrival at the airport of Yaoundé, the Pope announced the purpose of his visit: “I come among you as a pastor. I come to encourage my brothers and sisters in faith. I come to deliver in person to the bishops the “working tool” for the Synod of African Bishops.” The Pope shared with us that the Christian is “one who hopes against hope” and called on all Christians in Africa to become bearers of that hope with Christ. Speaking of the upcoming special meeting of Bishops for Africa, the pontiff indicated that the synod will have as main objective to give a new impetus to the mission of the church: to bring hope in the hearts of the peoples of Africa and the world. Speaking to the Bishops of Cameroon, Benedict XVI urged them to be an advocate for the poor, to inspire and encourage the exercise of charity. “In this way the faithful understand that the church is a family of God united in love, which goes beyond family, tribe and nation.” U – Br. Louis Birabaluge, SX
WEST AFRICAN PEANUT SOUP 2 med. onions, chopped 2 lg. red and-or green peppers chopped 2 tbsp. oil 4 to 5 garlic cloves, mashed 1 (28 oz.) can tomatoes, coarsely chopped 8 c. chicken stock 1/2 tsp. pepper 1/2 tsp. crushed red hot peppers 1/2 c. orzos (instant brown riceworks well too) 1 1/2 c. cooked chicken, chopped 2/3 c. peanut butter In large pot, saute onions, peppersand garlic in oil over a moderate tohigh heat until onions are just be-ginning to brown.Add all other ingredients EXCEPTorzos (or rice), chicken and peanutbutter. Simmer, uncovered, overlow heat for about 1 hour.Add orzos and chicken and simmer10 to 15 minutes or until orzos arecooked. Add peanut butter and miuntil it is completely dissolved and smooth. Heat to simmer and serve. Serves 8 to 10
Xaverian Mission Newsletter • August 2009
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Xaverian Missionaries in the World
In Kafogo, Sierra Leone, Signs of a New Life
“in this period of healing after the war, the resilient hope offered through Christ is unmistakable.
The people of Kafogo gathering together for the blessing of the church.
Mother and child in a gathering at Church
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he Xaverian Missionaries arrived in Sierra Leone, West Africa in 1950. We started out in the north where the population is predominately Muslim. In those days, we concentrated our attention on schools, cooperatives, health care, and the victims of leprosy. Since then, the Church as grown tremendously throughout Sierra Leone. During the civil war (1991-2001) there had been countless deaths, indescribable atrocities and widespread destruction, both in the capital city and the most remote villages throughout the country. By December 1998, due to the political and military crisis and as a result of the rebel occupation of almost the entire northern region of the country, we had to abandon our parishes and missionary activity. As a sign of hope in a post-war world, more than eight years after the war, on the solemn feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Bishop George Biguzzi, Bishop of Makeni, consecrated and blessed a new church and hall dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Kafogo, Sierra Leone.
Kafogo is a small town populated by about ten thousands people. It is one of the outstations of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Fadugu - Diocese of Makeni, Sierra Leone. The journey of Kafogo Catholic community started in the early 70’s when Fr. Franco Maganello, a Xaverian Missionary began to lay the foundation of the Church by gathering people to pray and forming a small Christian community. After sometime, the construction of the church began. Right after the devastation of the war and the subsequent period of reconstruction, 400 homes in the area were repaired through the help of Catholic Relief Services and a new gravity water system was developed through the United Nations. Through the establishment of a new Christian community in this forested area, in this period of healing after the war, the resilient hope offered through Christ is unmistakable. The Christian community of Kafogo would like to remember and express their gratitude to all the generous benefactors for their support and help to finish the project of Kafogo’s church and hall. God bless you all! U – Fr. Domingo Jimenez, SX
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Xaverian Mission Newsletter • August 2009
Xaverian Missionaries in the USA
An Interview with Bishop George Biguzzi, Makeni, Sierra Leone, West Africa Bishop George Biguzzi with a friend at Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Wayne, New Jersey who provide yearly assistance to our diocese in Makeni, Sierra Leone, West Africa.
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frica is a continent lost between the cracks of international financial organizations in a world often divided between spheres of influence and power. It is here that the Church is concerned about the hopeful journey forward into the future by way of a special gathering of all African Bishops in the fall that will address three crucial issues: reconciliation, justice, and peace. Bishop George Biguzzi, a Xaverian Missionary who worked many years in the USA, was recently interviewed by our Italian magazine, Mission Today, about preparations and expectations of this upcoming Synod, or meeting of African Bishops. Bishop Biguzzi has lived and worked in Africa since 1974, and appointed Bishop of Makeni on December 3, 1986. He is currently the president of the Conference of Bishops of Gambia and Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone finished a brutal civil war lasting over 10 years. How is the Church working together with other faiths in the reconstruction of the country?
More than seven years after the official end of the war, peace is at least stable, although it is still very fragile. The Interreligious Council, very active during and immediately after the war, now struggles to find both direction and a sense of unity. A few months ago, the Council acted together with the UN to resolve some tensions which had arisen, for political reasons, in the capital”. In traditional African cultures there are rituals of reconciliation, how much can still be used in these situations? The traditional rituals of reconciliation is still very important and effective. It is important that the victims, as well as those responsible for the horrendous war crimes tell their story, express their anger and pain, their needs and expectations, and finally, the possibility of forgiveness. In face to face meetings with war crime victims and their victimizers, the community, ritual, prayer, song and dance are the elements that deeply touch the people. Without these things, there cannot be any true reconciliation. U
Church-goer Laurentine Assiga poses for a portrait outside the Mary Queen of Apostles Basilica in Yaounde waiting for the Pope last March 09.
– Franco Ferrari
Xaverian Mission Newsletter • August 2009
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The Church in Africa in Service To Reconciliation and Peace
Second Synod of the African Catholic Church: In Service to Reconciliation and Peace “...the urgency of this Second Special Assembly is tied to the suffering of the African peoples…”
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1994 First African Synod ope Benedict XVI, in preparation Taking its inspiration from Acts 1:8 – for the Second Synod of the “you shall be my witnesses to the ends African Catholic Church states, “...the of the earth” – the 1994 African Synod urgency of this Second Special met in Rome between April 10 and May Assembly is tied to the suffering of the 8, 1994 to explore the African Church’s African peoples, and the dehumanizing evangelizing mission at the dawn of the and oppressive situation which persists third millennium. Over 300 Bishops on the continent. Africa is facing a from across the continent of Africa whole set of conflicts and problems gathered at the Vatican, making this which are central to the challenges to one of the largest regional synods since evangelization in Africa today.” the close of the Second Vatican Council. Within the overarching umbrelWhat is a Synod? la of evangelization, the major topics of the 1994 Synod included bring The word “Synod” derives from the African cultures and tradition to the Greek “syn” (together) and “hodos” Catholic Church; ecumenical and inter(road/way), “synod” literally means religious dialogue; justice, peace, and “coming together.” Synods are official solidarity; social communication; priestgatherings of a region’s bishops, in ly and religious formation; marriage and union with the Pope, to discuss issues family; and small Christian communiof doctrine, discipline and liturgy. ties. Originating in the earliest centuries of the Church, synods were particularly 2009 Second African Synod important in the ancient North African sees of Carthage and Alexandria. First announced by Pope John Paul II in 2004, the Second African Synod will Modern ecclesiastical synods have be held at the Vatican from Oct. 4-25, their roots in the reforms of Vatican II 2009. The theme will be “The Church which looked to establish structures of in Africa at the Service of collegiality between Pope and bishops Reconciliation, Justice, and Peace,” and among local bishops. Many of the most familiar pastoral changes associat- with scriptural reference to the Sermon on the Mount – “You are the salt of the ed with Vatican II – e.g., the new order earth, you are the light of the world” of the Mass, the revision of canon law, (Matt 5:18). new regulations regarding mixed marriages – grew directly out of synods reflecting the meaning of Vatican II.
Xaverian Mission Newsletter • August 2009
The Church in Africa in Service To Reconciliation and Peace
Some Priorities at this Synod The Pope goes on to say: “The time has come for lay Christians in Africa to make a large-scale, resolute commitment to Church and the State. The mission of the laity pertains to the very nature of the Church. This is particularly important and needed in Africa today. Inter-religious dialogue is presented as one of the tools for working towards reconciliation, peace and justice in Africa. The recognition that this dialogue should include African Traditional Religion and Islam is a step in the right direction. This dialogue is important because the interaction between adherents of these religions and Christians, at the grass root level, is very important for peaceful co-existence. The Church has the task of forming her members and of promoting this dialogue. From the liturgical life of the Church must flow a spirituality of commitment to the world. In this, the fruits of the sacraments celebrated in an ecclesial community become meaningful for the society in which the person lives. Such a spirituality will also nurture a sense of freedom and every Christian will
become a reconciler and an agent of justice and peace. There is much more to say, in such as areas as the Church’s voice to the political, economic and cultural life of Africans, healing and reconciliation in the midst of horrific wars, a strengthening of Africa’s commitment to Christ and his mission not just in Africa, but worldwide. The US Catholic Commitment to Africa Our Bishops remind us: “Responding to the call of the Church in Africa, as pastors in the United States we recognize the mutual bonds of solidarity that unite us—bonds that have been forged through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We stand in solidarity with the Church and the peoples of Africa, to recognize and support their courageous commitment to peace, justice, and reconciliation. We encourage the Catholic community in the United States to contribute its diverse talents and gifts to the continent’s causes of justice, peace, and integral development.” U – Fr. Carl Chudy, SX
Catholic Task Force on Africa The Catholic Task Force on Africa is working to raise the profile of Africa in the U.S. Catholic community by highlighting some of the initiatives already underway in response to the U.S. Catholic bishops’ 2001 pastoral letter, “A call to solidarity with Africa.” If you are interested, you can receive in your email: • a monthly prayer posted • a weekly story of hope from Africa •
important documents relating to the themes of solidarity, social justice, peace and reconciliation
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a weekly Africa-focused action alert that will encourage prayer, study and action over the course of a month to increase attention to Africa on a regular basis
Go to www.maryknollogc.org and click the icon, Together with Africa, Celebrating Hope.
Xaverian Mission Newsletter • August 2009
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World Mission Spirituality
Pope Benedict A Man of Dialogue
T “...he sought to assure Muslims and Jews that the Church was a partner in the attempt to build a better world.”
he Holy Father came to the Middle East last May 2009 in order to promote ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue during his visit. Coming into a region where Christians make up a tiny part of the population, he sought to assure Muslims and Jews that the Church was a partner in the attempt to build a better world. In Jordan and in the Palestinian Territories, the Pope was encountering societies that are predominantly Muslim. The controversies of the past were, if not forgotten, put to one side and the meetings with Muslims were marked by great cordiality. The Pope visited mosques in both Amman and Jerusalem and re-expressed the conviction that Muslims and Christians are called to work together to build societies based upon the values they share.
A Common Message Certainly there exists a common message, and there will be an occasion to present it and, despite the difference of origins, we have common roots... Islam was also born in an environment where Judaism and various branches of Christianity, (e.g.: Judeo-Christianity, Antiochian-ByzantineChristianity) were present, and all these circumstances are reflected in the tradition of the Quran. In this way we have much in common from our origins, in the faith in the one God. In a world in which Islam is often portrayed as being totally other, the Pope has insisted that Islam has much in common with Judaism and Christianity. This affirmation, axiomatic for Vatican II’s Nostrae Aetate, and affirmed by Pope Benedict, still has not penetrated all sectors of the Church. In Amman the Pope affirmed: A History of
Muslim and Jewish high school students come together in the regular interfaith encounters in a Muslim school in the Middle East
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Xaverian Mission Newsletter • August 2009
Misunderstanding “Muslims and Christians, precisely because of the burden of our common history
so often marked by misun derstanding, must today strive to be known and recognized as worshippers of God, faithful to prayer, eager to uphold and live by the Almighty’s decrees, merciful and compassionate, consistent in bearing witness to all that is true and good, and ever mindful of the common origin and dignity of all human persons, who remain at the apex of God’s creative design for the world and for history.” Furthermore, he pointed out: ‘Muslims worship God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, who has spoken to humanity. And as believers in the one God we know that human reason is itself God’s gift and that it soars to its highest plane when suffused with the light of God’s truth.” Inter-religious dialogue often seems smoother when we focus on our commonalities but the challenge is to promote dialogue when our differences are most evident. This is a formidable challenge that still lies before us. U – Fr. John Neuhaus, SJ
Become a Partner in Global Mission
Chaste celibacy in religious life: Available for Love
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hen all the world around us seems to be paired off in couples or seeking partners, celibate loving can appear inept, misguided, and even a cop out. But for those of us to whom this life is given and who embrace it healthily and honestly, no amount of justification is needed because it’s about our essence. Being Available for Larger Purpose Celibate chastity, like all the vows, is more about interior disposition than about any behavior or the absence of any behavior. And it seems to me that the primary interior disposition for love is availability. But to whom and for what? Married lovers are available to and for one another in a manner they are not available to any other person. Their love for God is expressed in and through their marital commitment. That’s the primary locus of their love, the emotional center of their lives. Celibate lovers in religious
communities, along with their sisters and brothers, are available to and for the mission of their congregations. Their love for God is expressed through their religious commitment, and that’s the primary locus of their love and the emotional center of their lives. So what does all that mean? For me it means that I’m available for intimate relationships but not exclusive ones marked by genital sexual expression. It means that I seek friendships and relationships that honor who I am and the commitments that I’ve made. It means that I surround myself with people--both in and outside of my community—with whom I can share honestly and deeply about my life and receive the same from them. It means that I am free from the rights and responsibilities of marriage and family life, and I take up the rights and responsibilities of celibate loving in religious community.
It took me a long time to grow into the awareness that celibate loving is a gift. As with any gift, it’s up to us to decide if and how we’ll receive it. And, as with some gifts that don’t seem to fit, we sometimes need time to grow into it. It’s Bigger than We Think I don’t know any sister, brother, or priest who has ever set out from the beginning to make the celibate choice. And I don’t know any successfully married couple who has ever set out from the beginning just to have sex. Celibacy alone does not make religious life and sex alone does not make a marriage. Both loves are bigger than how they’re defined. Neither authentic celibate love nor authentic married love happens overnight. We grow into each of these loves each day through the choices that we make and those that we don’t, through the manner in which we relate to ourselves and others and God, and through our attentiveness to what’s going on inside of us as we negotiate the complexities of life and love. U – Sister Mary Pellegrino, C.S.
Lord, I freely yield all my freedom to you. Take my memory, my intellect and my entire will. You have given me anything I am or have; I give it all back to you to stand under your will alone. Your love and your grace are enough for me; I shall ask for nothing more. (St. Loyola) Through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Xaverian Mission Newsletter • August 2009
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World Mission News Digest
World Mission News Digest Latest News from our Missions Worldwide
Sierra Leone, Africa
“Gunmen killed Catholic priest and two seminary students as they left a church in southern Mexico in early June.”
“The creation of the “ Apostolic Vicariate of Sierra Leone” by Pius IX, on 13 April 1858, marked a new start for Catholic missions in this part of West Africa which had been abandoned for too long ” says Italian Xaverian Missionary, Fr. Gerardo Caglioni, an expert in the history of the Catholic Church in Sierra Leone on the occasion of the 150 anniversary of the death of Mgr Melchior de Marion Brésillac, the country’s first Vicar Apostolic. With the appointment as Vicar of Mgr De Marion Brésillac, Sierra Leone - and surrounding countries Liberia and French Guinea - resumed the happy experience of the 17th century when Jesuits and Capuchin missionaries planted vivacious and dynamic Catholic communities in that distant part of black Africa.
Philippines The bishops’ commission on interreligious dialogue has lauded the health department’s move to allow Muslim women health workers to wear veils while on hospital duty. On June 30, the Islamic Medical Association of the Philippines (IMAP) started distributing a Department of Health memorandum which states that female workers “should be allowed to use their veil (hijab) and wear their prescribed mode of dressing inside the premises of all healthcare institutions.” Father Carlos Reyes, executive secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Interreligious Dialogue consid-
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Xaverian Mission Newsletter • August 2009
ers the memorandum a “positive” development. He told UCA News that Muslim women wearing veils is “an expression of their religiosity and religious sentiment.” He added that people have the “right” to practice their religious beliefs as long as public health and safety are safeguarded.
Bangladesh Nine-year-old Kripa Valentina Rozario grabbed her color pencils and drawing papers as she prepared to attend a special event for 700 children at Tejgaon Church. “This was the first time I joined such a big gathering of children,” said Rozario after the program, called Grand Gathering of Children, organized by Dhaka’s Holy Childhood movement. “I participated in the drawing competition. I drew a chalice and a communion host above it. I enjoyed participating in the program very much,” she beamed. The five-hour event on June 26 saw the children participating in a rally, a Mass, sharing sessions and finally the drawing competition. According to Holy Cross Sister Taposi Gomes, a pastoral assistant at Tejgaon Holy Rosary Church, this was the first time the Holy Childhood movement was holding such a large gathering of Catholic kids. During the event, the kids, aged 6-14, wore paper caps and chanted religious slogans in their native Bangla language, including the oftquoted phrase from Saint Paul, “Woe to me, if I do not proclaim the Gospel.”
Mexico Mexican drug traffickers fighting a brutal turf war are attacking priests and preachers who denounce cartel violence, shattering clerics’ untouchable aura and breaking honor codes in the world’s second-biggest Catholic country. Gunmen killed a Catholic priest and two seminary students as they left a church in southern Mexico in early June. Around 1,000 Catholic priests face constant threats from drug gangs across Mexico and as many as 400 have been directly warned to silence their criticisms of narco violence and extortions or be killed, the Mexican Bishop’s Conference says. “They threatened to burn me and my family alive,” said evangelist pastor Bartolome Garcia, who fled a lawless hamlet where he worked near Tijuana on the U.S. border last year. “They don’t like it that we preach and criticize them,” said Garcia, who preaches to farmers and the elderly in the bleak, semiabandoned village of Jacume yards from the U.S. border fence.
Please help us with the work of the Xaverian Missionaries Contact: Fr. Frank Grappolli, SX 12 Helene Court Wayne, NJ 07470
973.942.2975
From our USA Communities
News from our USA Communities 2009 Mission Festival: Summer Fun for the Missions
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avier Knoll is usually quiet, but not on the weekend of June 27-28 when we celebrated the annual Xaverian Mission Festival. For over a month, a flier announced to neighboring parishes and communities the event, also with radio announcements and newspaper ads, and generous volunteers had come for weeks to shift through the donated items for the huge giant rummage sale, to polish, label, clean and display these “antiques” in our ample garage. Other volunteers prepared at home the cakes, pies, breads and cookies for the Bake Sale booth. Others invested time and creativity to set up the Mission Tent with displays of photographs, maps, flags, information of countries where the Xaverian Missionaries work and religious items and books were available for sale. Still a small group of faithful volunteers came to sort through the various prizes for the children’s games (enjoyed by adults too, of course). The Xaverian Theology students joined Fr. Alfredo and many other volunteers to set up the booths and tents during the week of the Festival. By Friday everything was ready and the big question was whether the weather would cooperate. The weather was perfect except for a light drizzle on Saturday evening,... but under the tents, everyone was comfortable with the live entertainment.
Everyone had a great time, young and old. Good food, with ribs, sausages, hamburgers, hot dogs, corn-on-the-cob, ice-cream, nachos and chees, and delicious chicken dinner (prepared by the Meinholz crew and C.) and a superb spaghetti and meatballs supper (prepared by great friends of Sr. Louette). On Sunday, Family Day, saw lots of children enjoying Face Painting, MAD science, Clowns and Bouncing Castle. The live entertainment of the Doo-Wop Daddies and the Schneider band kept hundreds of people singing, dancing and enjoying the good time until the closing of the Mission Festival. A salient point of the Festival was the celebration of the Mass at the outdoor Shrine of St. Francis Xavier on Sunday, with Fr. Dominic being the presider, assisted by Fr. Alfredo. Fr. Dominic’s homily centered around our availability in doing the work and deeds of Jesus in our lives, and this was indeed mirrored by the witness of so many volunteers who helped us run a successful Mission Festival… some 300 of you, who, in many ways, show your concern and love for the mission of the Church.
Our students, Pascal Atumissi and Francois Noah give a helping hand in more ways than one.
The Meinholz family prepared the chicken dinners.
We would like to offer a wholehearted warm and sincere “thank you” for all the volunteers and the thousands who came to make of this year’s Mission Festival a great success. U Children and adults enjoy the games.
Xaverian Mission Newsletter • August 2009
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Xaverian Mission Newsletter • August 2009
Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of humanity.” (Matt 4:19) Be A Sign of The Compassion of Christ in a World Longing for Peace Become A Religious Missionary Contact:
Fr. Joe Matteucig, SX 101 Summer Street Holliston, MA 01746 (508) 421-2144 Holliston.sx@gmail.com Xaviermissionaries.org Men fishing on the shores of Mozambique, East Africa
The Xaverian Missioners Are Presently Serving In: Bangladesh • Brazil • Burundi • Cameroon • Chad • China • Colombia • Democratic Republic of Congo • France Great Britain • Indonesia • Italy • Japan • Mexico • Mozambique • Philippines • Sierra Leone • Spain • Taiwan • U.S.A.
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