A MAGAZINE FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE FAITH SPRING Only Connect

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1 A MAGAZINE FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE FAITH SPRING 2014 Only Connect

2 2 DR. DOLITTLE THE ARY Hugh Lofton s famous children s character Dr. Dolittle clearly had a missionary spirit. He also had a famous ability to talk to the animals. This gift may not seem so strange these days as all manner of people seems to be able to communicate quite well with their pets and furry friends. One of Dolittle s four-legged companions was the famous pushmi pullyu (pronounced push me pull you ). Two thoughts come to mind about the push me pull you reality of our daily lives: Missionaries are called to go out to the ends of the earth, to make disciples of all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This means leaving your comfort zone of friends and families (and prejudices and ideologies) to try and encounter the other wherever you find him or her. At the same time, a missionary call inspires us to remain at home, welcoming others into God s family of faith. This means having conviction about your faith, knowing its depth and richness and being always rooted in the good soil of the Church s life and teaching. When consensus and good will break down, the push me pull you goes nowhere. For the Church and her faithful, our local communities become static and lifeless. However, Pope Francis warns us that our life is a journey, and when we stop moving, things go wrong. Few of us are called to make the radical step of traveling to another country to dedicate our lives to Christ through service of the Gospel and the poor. But all are called to convert our lives wherever we are to the needs of Christ s broken Body in our midst. Some give to the Missions by going themselves, while others go to the Missions by giving whatever they can. We re all called to connect with our role in the Church each and every one of us! And the quality of our witness to Christ depends on remaining close to Him along the entire path of His life and of our own to Calvary and beyond. About this Through us and our actions, it will be He Who prays and forgives, gives hope and consolation, serves our brothers, helps those in need, said Pope Francis during his general audience at the end of January of this year. This connects the words of the Pope with stories of those who give by going to the Missions, serving in Jesus name, the poor, the forgotten and the marginalized. And this connects with your own missionary vocation to go by giving to the Missions by your prayers and generous help; supporting the service to those Pope Francis calls us especially to embrace with tender affection. Missionaries are called to go out to the ends of the earth... At the same time, a missionary call inspires us to remain at home... writes Father Andrew, lighting a candle at Mary s House in Ephesus, Turkey, on January 1, 2014, the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. This curious creature was an imaginary two-headed animal that was a cross between a camel and a unicorn, portrayed in the 1967 movie as a two-headed llama. It was named so because if one head tried to push the creature in one direction, the other head would pull in the opposite direction and the poor thing would go nowhere. Moving would require collaboration and coordination on who would do what and how. In the book, one head of the pushmi pullyu does all the talking and the other does all the eating. Growing up, we re taught not to speak with our mouths full. But in the figurative world of Lofton s ethical tale, the eating and talking pushmi pullyu is an example of what is possible when opposing forces manage to get along. Photograph, front and back covers, by CNS/Paul Haring Very Reverend Andrew Small, OMI, STD NATIONAL DIRECTOR For a free Mission Education Supplement for this, please us or call 1-(800) Find us on Facebook Publisher: Very Reverend Andrew Small, OMI, STD National Director Editor-in-chief: Monica Ann Yehle Support the Church s missionary work today:

3 4 3 The Church is called to transmit the joy of the Lord to her children Pope Francis It started with medals in the soil. In December 1948, Spanish missionary Sister Guadalupe journeyed to the remote northeastern part of India called Just four years later, Sisters Guadalupe and Margarita left Nagaland. Within the year, a small Catholic community formed, and government restrictions on missionaries soon religious Sisters in 18 Religious Communities, and the lay faithful who serve those in need. Just last year, that included aid to build a new church for 1,000 in our mission family who children, offering their little ones a place to live and an education. At St. Joseph s Home in Burma Camp, some 45 children, most from poor families, but some orphans as well, are Seminary in Dimapur. The mission in Nagaland is tough and rough, and yet we joyously carry on, Bishop James Thoppil of Kohima, India, told. We move FROM MEDALS IN THE SOIL Church grows from missionary witness and with your continuing help Photographs above: Your help has reached the Church in Nagaland, helping to build new churches for our mission family here, where children go to school and are baptized, welcomed into the faith. Nagaland, invited by the government to help staff a newly established hospital. No direct evangelization, she was told. The same directive was given to the other Sister from her Religious Community, Sister Margarita, and the one missionary priest. So Sister Guadalupe tried something indirect. As she visited villages, she planted religious medals in the soil, praying and hoping for God s grace and the growth of the faith. began to ease. Today, more than six decades later, there are close to 60,000 Catholics spread over 35 parishes and 10 mission centers in the Diocese of Kohima, which encompasses virtually all of Nagaland. There are 14 major tribes, with Catholic communities in almost all of them. Your prayers and help connect you with the growth of the Church there and with the 175 diocesan and missionary priests, Photographs from the Missions TODAY, MORE THAN SIX DECADES LATER, THERE ARE CLOSE TO 60,000 CATHOLICS SPREAD OVER 35 PARISHES AND 10 CENTERS IN THE DIOCESE OF KOHIMA, WHICH ENCOMPASSES VIRTUALLY ALL OF NAGALAND. belong to St. Paul s parish in Peren. In fact, in the past five years, your support through the Society for the Propagation of the Faith helped to build five churches where more than 5,000 of your brothers and sisters in this part of the Missions may celebrate the Sacra ments and attend Mass. Your generosity has also helped families in villages care for their provided with food, clothing, school books and medical care all for about $70 per child, help that comes from the Missionary Childhood Association. And finally, your sacrifices through the Society of St. Peter Apostle form more priests to serve the poor here. Some 60 young men are preparing for the priesthood at Good Shepherd Major ahead in our work with the support and prayers of mission-minded people. Your interest and support are a great boost for our work. Yes, the Church is called to transmit the joy of the Lord to her children and her children are joined to that effort, on the ground or behind the scenes, through every prayer and every generous sacrifice.

4 5 6 True prophets keep the promise of God alive, they see the suffering of their people, and they bring us the strength to look ahead. Pope Francis LIFE S STORMS A missionary Sister in the Philippines reflects on life and help after the typhoon Photographs in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan; our grateful hearts extend warm thanks to all the kind-hearted donors who opened the door of hope for us, writes Sister Maricris. Indeed in every storm in our lives we are always reminded that God is the Lord of all. He continuously inspires people to show His infinite love and boundless generosity. So wrote missionary Sister Maricris Cabarles reflecting on the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, which devastated the Philippines last November, and the outpouring of support for the suffering in this part of the mission world. The storm surge swallowed and drowned thousands of people, houses, cars and establishments along the Eastern part of Leyte, she wrote. Huge trees were uprooted. Countless electric posts were blown in all directions. Photographs from CNS/Tyler Orsburn and from the Missions More than 250 people took refuge in the Catholic school there, where the Sisters provided food, blankets and sleeping mats. In the days that followed, the food supply dwindled, and there was no electricity or clean water. And yet, Sister Maricris reflected, despite the difficulties, God is so good to touch generous people to share their blessings. And she and the Sisters in her Religious Community who run the school, the Sisters Oblates of the Holy Spirit, began a campaign to help families in the area restore damaged houses, Rebuild Houses, Rebuild Homes. Help was provided to some 50 families who lost roofs of their houses, and to others whose homes were totally destroyed. One of those big hearts who allocated their funds was the National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the Philippines, Father Socrates Mesiona, Sister Maricris wrote. (And your help to a special appeal from the Pontifical Mission Societies assisted with those homes and reached those families; see sidebar story.) Brother Anthony Dameg, who works with Father Socrates, also shared a gift, Sister Maricris noted coats and clothing to warm those who had no cover from the cold, and beautiful images of Jesus and Mary. The people were happy to place those images on their altar in thanksgiving, she noted. Our grateful hearts extend warm thanks to all the kindhearted donors who opened the door of hope for us. Help for our Family in the Philippines Immediately following Typhoon Haiyan, a cry for help came to our National Office from the National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the Philippines, Father Socrates Mesiona. As one family in mission, we responded with prayers for our Brother Anthony Dameg with clothing brothers and gathered for the poor after the typhoon. sisters in this part of the Missions, and most appropriately, as Pope Francis asked, called for a show of solidarity through support. That help reached the Pontifical Mission Societies network of priests and religious, as they work to help families rebuild lives, restore hope like the efforts in Leyte. You may still make a donation online at GiveToTheMissions.org, or send your gift to Special Fund for the Church in Southeast Asia: the Philippines, Pontifical Mission Societies, 70 West 36th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY

5 7 The reason for our hope is this: God is with us, and God still trusts us. - Pope Francis The Only Word They failed him. Handpicked, they were, chosen by the Word to be confidants, apostles, missionaries. And they failed. Three asleep in the garden as agony took hold. Judas, betrayer to death. Peter, holder of the keys, cowed by a serving maid. The now-eleven, all but John fading into the gloom of that Friday afternoon. As they sat in the upper room on Sunday, doors locked, fear heavy in the air, He appeared to them, carved with salvation marks, and stood there. He could have said You deserted me. You let me down. How could you, after all I told you, taught you, showed you? But no. He looked on them with love and said the only word to heal their souls: Peace. Soon, with the promised Spirit homing in the marrow of their lives, they blossomed, bathed in the courage to go out to all the world. Now, at every Mass, that only word is passed to us: peace, as we go out into the world around us, living and telling the Good News of Christ. Photograph from Turkey

6 9 10 Choosing to be faithful to the Lord is equally important in the little things and in the most difficult situations. Pope Francis General Brewer extended her devotion to the worldwide mission of the Church by placing the Society for the Propagation of the Faith prominently in her Will. One of the nuggets of truth that we pass on to you and all our faithful mission supporters is: Remembering the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in your Will greatly helps a world in need of Jesus. Your bequest is a final expression of your faith as it supports the mission of the Church. See more information in this (page 12). MARINE CORPS BRIGADIER GENERAL MARGARET BREWER Photograph courtesy of the Arlington Catholic Herald ALWAYS FAITHFUL An obituary for retired Marine Corps Brigadier General Margaret Brewer concluded with the sentence, She left no survivors. One may take issue with that statement. The General, who died a little more than a year ago, indeed left no blood relatives, but is directly linked to thousands of God s beloved children. Here is her story When Margaret Brewer graduated from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1952, she was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. While serving in California, New York, Virginia, North Carolina and Kentucky, she steadily rose through the ranks, holding commands including Director of Women Marines and Director of Public Affairs for the Marines. In 1977, she was presented with the Legion of Merit by the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Further, she became the first female General in the history of the Corps. In a 1980 article in a Michigan newspaper, General Brewer quipped that she never considered any option other than the Corps: My mother insists I was singing the Marine s Hymn when I was five years old. General Brewer played crucial roles in the integration and advancement of women in the Marine Corps. Upon her retirement in 1980, she devoted herself in volunteer roles for various Church entities in the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, including service as a Board Member of Catholic Charities. Father Patrick Posey, Diocesan Director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in Arlington, noted, Beyond her achievements in the Marine Corps, Margaret had a very strong commitment to our Catholic faith and was very involved in her parish, St. Thomas More Cathedral in Arlington. Margaret s tireless efforts, pleasant personality and beautiful smile are missed by fellow volunteers and all of her friends. Margaret Brewer was a pioneer, but first and foremost a child of God with compassion for others and love for the Church. She left no survivors, was the claim, but indeed, she did! She is survived by the poor, the vulnerable, the persecuted fellow disciples in vast areas of the world who know God better because of her love for the missionary work of the Church. In more ways than one she fulfilled the valiant Marine attribute: Semper Fidelis Always Faithful.

7 12 11 Mission In Life It began with a phone message. Father Bill phoned to say Welcome and to call him when you can. The receptionist where I was working at the time had left the slip of paper with that message on my desk. The note confirmed my new job as communications director for the Pontifical Mission Societies, a position I still hold today, 27 years later. Father Bill was, in fact, Bishop William McCormack, the National Director who hired me. Thinking back over these nearly three decades, he continued as he began in my life until the day he died this past November the father figure. Teach your children well the song goes, and Bishop McCormack offered me lessons on and off the job. I can probably still quote most of the Vatican document on the Missions, Ad Gentes. There was advice, such as his practice of taking a walk in times of frustration or difficulties. During one such moment for me, I remember telling him that not even a walk to Cleveland and back would have made a difference. And there was his presence to family and friends, as well as the family at the national office and in the dioceses, when someone was ill or had died. He was there to comfort and pray as he did for me when my mother died in 2002, celebrating her funeral Mass. Bishop McCormack opened my heart to the joy of the mission of the Church and the Missions, and the call to every heart to be part of this great work. As he wrote once about magazine: Always is a reminder of the Lord s call to each one of us to be actively, wholeheartedly engaged in His own mission to the world. Mary McLoughlin, editor emeritus of this magazine and my wonderful friend, and I spent many days with him during his retirement lunches and laughter. And we spent time with him in the final days of his life s journey as well. The last time I visited him, two days before he died, I whispered a prayer of thanks before I left thanks for the lessons he taught me on the job and off, for his presence in my life and the lives of my family, and, above all, for his wholehearted love for the Missions which he transmitted to me from the first welcome. Rest well, Father Bill, and my thanks each day for the invitation to this missionary journey. Monica Ann Yehle Editor-in-chief When I go, I m leaving it all to my families. Those who are generous to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith during their lifetime know the big difference even a small legacy can make to our mission family. Each legacy provides for missionaries who bring hope and consolation to our brothers and sisters in need: to the Sister in a village in Bangladesh who helps families with their practical needs, her loving service giving a glimpse of the Lord s loving heart; to the priest in Benin who offers shelter to homeless boys, bringing Christ s light and hope to a once-bleak future, and to the catechist in Malawi who travels miles on his bicycle, joyfully teaching and proclaiming the Good News of God s great love. Every gift lives on, year after year, so that generations to come will accept the gift of faith, and experience the hope and love only Christ can give. Would you please consider leaving a gift to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in your Will? Write to us, and we ll provide more information. May God bless you for your generous missionary heart! Your families in the Missions thank you too! Society for the Propagation of the Faith 70 West 36th Street, 8th Floor New York, NY 10018

8 13 14 The one who loves, gives gives things, gives life, gives oneself to God and to others. Pope Francis BIG THANKS FROM LITTLE CHILDREN We are very happy to tell you that we have received the amount of $2,000 at St. Joseph s Home for Children from the Missionary Childhood Association (MCA)! Sister Ann Thomas, who runs the school, acknowledged the generosity of U.S. children through MCA for the home located in a small village in southern India. Most in the area, which is surrounded by dense forests, cannot read or write. Many are unskilled laborers, unable to make enough to care for their families. Our home reaches out to the needy children here, explains Sister Ann. In this way the poor parents are helped through the education of their children. Books, Books, Books! The almost 200 young men preparing for the priesthood at Our Lady of Lanka Seminary in Kandy, Sri Lanka, needed books a library full in fact. We couldn t have done it without your help, Father Elmo Dias, the seminary s rector, wrote to. THE $7,000 PROVIDED TO THIS SEMINARY PURCHASED BOOKS FOR THE PHILOSOPHY SECTION OF THE STUDENTS SEMINARY LIBRARY A GIFT OF ABOUT $40 FOR EACH STUDENT. IN ADDITION, WITH YOUR SUPPORT, EACH STUDENT EACH YEAR RECEIVES $700 FOR THEIR FORMATION. These are gifts treasured by our students, Father Dias adds. We assure you of our prayers for you and all your families. SOME 90 CHILDREN RECEIVE YOUR HELP AT THIS BOARDING SCHOOL, PROVIDING FOR LODGING, FOOD, MEDICAL CARE, CLOTHING AND BOOKS ABOUT $25 PER CHILD!

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