Mission Connections. help us to recognize all of our sisters and brothers. God of Justice and Peace,

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1 Mission Connections Mission Office, Catholic Diocese of St. Cloud Vol. 55 Summer South 8 th Avenue, St. Cloud, MN (320) God of All, help us to recognize all of our sisters and brothers in the global community. Open our hearts to them, that we might live in solidarity with this extended family. In this Issue: Multiple ministries in Mexico Incredible upcoming events Award winning missioners And MORE! God of Justice and Peace, help us to be committed to change unjust structures and to be peacemakers in a suffering world. Empower us to be Christians not only in word but also in compassionate action. Give us the courage to speak out for truth and justice and to prayerfully and patiently call for transformation. May global solidarity and peace be achieved through the power of compassion, understanding and love. In the name of Jesus, Prince of Peace, we pray for global solidarity. Amen. ~ Prayer for Solidarity from Education for Justice ~ Inside this Issue Prayer 1 Servants of God in Ocampo, Mexico Spotlight on Mission: Bishop Taban wins award Sharing Masses, Making a Difference Learning from Fr. John Kaiser Growth and Opportunities in San Rafael A Week to Remember Ordinations, Basketball and Taizé

2 Servants of God in Ocampo, Mexico Three Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Carol Schmit, Aurora Tovar and Isabel Berrones, spent time this past year discerning the right place for their ministry in Mexico. Below they share where the Holy Spirit and that discernment process led them. When we arrived in Saltillo, a growing city of 700,000 in northern Mexico, we contacted Bishop Raul Vera to introduce ourselves. He is a Dominican and understands the value of living in community and ministering within our community s spirit and values. He talked about the many needs of the diocese and mentioned the northern most part of the diocese where a group of sisters was returning to their motherhouse in Guadalajara MX after serving in the area for about 30 years. The area was Ocampo. (Google Ocampo, Coahuila, Mexico to find more of the history and highlights of this lovely, old, desert city.) Attractive aspects: a small town, established parish, a house. But it was a four hour drive from Saltillo, in the opposite direction from our sisters in San Rafael. We established a list of pros and cons. Why would we accept the Bishop s invitation, what aspects of this move would be negative, what do we like about such a move. Weeks of discernment and deliberation included a lot of prayer and meeting with the diocesan vicar, treasurer and accountant, two visits to Ocampo and finally the signing of a three year contract to minister in Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, in the village of Ocampo in the state of Coahuila in northern Mexico. Waiting for us was a convent right next to the recently restored church. The house is furnished with such basics as beds, dressers, an aging computer, books appropriate to catechetical work and a jumble of kitchen supplies. We immediately knew that the parish was eager for sisters to be back in their parish. Page 2 Within the first week we had been welcomed at the Sunday Mass, met a troop of catechists who helped us clean the house, attended the monthly parish council meeting and began visiting homes. We soon met the two priests and one deacon, learned the names of the main faithful of the parish, cooked a pot of beans and stocked the refrigerator with some necessities: tortillas, instant coffee, a brick of cheese, eggs, some potatoes, tomatoes, pepper with various degrees of picante, onions and avocados. We have gas and electricity, not so in some of the remote villages some five to six hours away, still within the parish boundaries. Running water is reliable, but the water pressure doesn t always get that water upstairs in the sleeping section of the house. As soon as the Holy Week and Easter celebrations were over, preparations for the parish feast began. The feast of St. Catherine of Siena is celebrated on April 29 and 30. This feast is the highlight of the spring fair which lasts from April 28 through May 7. A novena, nine days of rosary, litany, hymns, the change of the cloth habit on the beautiful wooden statue of St. Catherine all have a long history in Ocampo. Even an outline of Catherine was part of the fireworks display on April 29. Franciscan Sisters Carol Schmidt, Aurora Tovar and Isabel Berrones are gifted a fruit basket by neighbors as a welcome to their new community in Ocampo St. Catherine lived from 1347 to She is known as a peacemaker both in the church and among nation states. The writings of St. Catherine are beautiful and profound. To the servant of God every place is the right place, and every time is the right time. (St. Catherine) MISSION CONNECTIONS is published by the St. Cloud Mission Office, 11 8 th Ave. South, St. Cloud MN (320) It is distributed to the Catholic faithful in the Diocese of St. Cloud and to others concerned with the mission of Jesus Christ and global solidarity and justice. There is no charge for the publication, but tax deductible donations for our educational work are gratefully accepted. Donations for any of the missioners and ministries shared about in our newsletter may be made in care of the Mission Office. **Please direct comments, suggestions and articles to Kateri Mancini, at kmmission@cloudnet.com **The mailing list is managed by Lora Knafla, at lkmission@cloudnet.com **For further information about the work of the Mission Office, contact Elizabeth Neville, at enmission@cloudnet.com

3 Spotlight on Mission Page 3 There are countless mission activities happening all the time in the St. Cloud Diocese, ranging from parish mission groups, to fair trade sales, to mission education and service. All these activities are important to the work of celebrating our global Church. In this issue we highlight Bishop Paride Taban and his great peace-building ministry, and all those who support it. June 9th was a special day for the friends and supporters of Bishop Paride Taban. Bishop Taban, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Torit in South Sudan, peace and reconciliation advocate and long-time friend of the St. Cloud Diocese, received a special award that day. In honor of his great work, Bishop Taban was presented with the Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation at the Archbishop of Canterbury s Lambeth Awards ceremony last month. Though uncommon for a Catholic to receive this award from the head of the Anglican Church, there was little question that it was most deserved by Bishop Taban for his exceptional work in war-torn South Sudan and throughout the world. Seventeen years ago, in the midst of civil war, Bishop Taban dreamed of ending the tribal clashes that led to and were continuing the conflict in his country of Sudan. He built his dream into the Holy Trinity Peace Village in Kuron. Following a peace agreement and vote to secede, South Sudan became its own country in But soon after independence, war once again broke out. Bishop Bishop Paride Taban of South Sudan is congratulated by Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury after receiving the Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation Taban continues to fight the war by bringing the young people of different ethnic groups together for everything from education to prayer to playing soccer. In addition to this grass-roots work, the 81 year old bishop also advocates for peace and reconciliation throughout the world, including assisting with mediations in other global conflicts. Bishop Paride Taban This is by far Bishop Taban s first award for his work. He has been honored numerous times previously, including being recognized by the United Nations and nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. This world-renowned and highly honored Bishop has close ties to central Minnesota. He has visited our diocese six times, and several delegates from our diocese have visited him in East Africa. Regardless of which continent they encountered him in, those who have met Bishop Taban know there is something special about him. Many people and parishes have and continue to support his work. We in the diocese of St. Cloud are so fortune to have had a long relationship with this exceptional man, Father Bill Vos, retired priest of the diocese, said. Bishop Taban s presence among his people brings hope and light in the face of the death and displacement. He simply never tires as a prophetic voice. Thank you to all who support Bishop Taban s peacebuilding ministry. And tremendous thanks to Bishop Taban, for his witness to the Gospel message of peace and unity in a divided world! Sharing Masses, Making a Difference The Saint Cloud Mission Office sends Mass stipends and intentions all over the world to our many mission connections. Below, one of our friends in mission, Father Francis Shawa from the Archdiocese of Songea, Tanzania, shares the great ministry that comes from doing so. Most of the time I work in Songea Archdiocese. It is located in the Southern part of Tanzania. Sometimes our life is hard, for there is little time to do other things which would help us earn something for our life and the Christian contributions is very little. We need some money for our daily up keepings and that becomes hard to get for we have to work almost all the time for the people of God. That makes our life to be unlivable and hard to the extent of sometimes failing to fulfill our duties properly. That makes us see need of requesting some Mass intentions, well knowing that you have a very good heart in helping us who are working in the vineyard of the Lord, tirelessly though unpaid. Your assistance in Mass intentions have reduced the hardship. For we have been able to get our daily needs and get treatment when we fall sick. Taking the example of our Lord Jesus who carried his cross for us, we too need to carry the people of God, the flock entrusted to us. Helping us in this way, God will bless you and your community of the Diocese of St. Cloud. We always pray for you and we will continue praying for you. Thanks, Fr. Francis Shawa

4 Learning from Fr. John Kaiser Many know of Father John Kaiser, Millhill missioner from Maine, Minnesota, who gave his life in service to the disadvantaged and oppressed people of Kenya. Below, Father Tony Kroll, retired priest of St. Cloud, shares what he loves about this diocesan hero. Someone asked me if I knew Fr John Kaiser. I said, I never met him, I never listened to him, I never saw him, but yes, I know him. It's like this: one time I was real scared because I had to stand up for my faith. I thought, It wouldn't be so bad if someone would remember me and what I am doing. That is how I know Fr John Kaiser. We both felt the same fear. We both knew Jesus went through that also. That is the important part of my knowing Fr. John. And it helps me know Jesus. I remember how the martyrs inspired me years ago; I give credit to the martyrs for helping me be a priest. Fr. Kaiser is our very own martyr, and we have lots to learn from him. John was born on a little farm near Underwood in 1932 and was baptized in St. James Parish, which is next to a farm. No town there. What good can come from Nazareth? John liked hunting and shot a deer out of season. Someone scared him by saying the game warden was coming. He tied a rope on the deer and pulled it up to the second floor of their house to where he slept. It left some blood on the floor which is still there to this day, I am told. John could have thrown the deer out. He didn't. He saved it. He was a frugal person, and a generous person, and a happy person. We have lots to learn from him. John went to St. John's University, wrestled, and joined the paratroopers in He could handle excitement. He was willing to try what others could not do. He desired a better world. He joined the Mill Hill Missioners in England in He was ordained a priest in 1964 and was sent to Kenya. He fell in love with the people. He learned their language, he ate their food and he worshiped the God of all peoples with them. He worked with them, he built a church with them. What not everyone knows is that Fr. Kaiser suffered Father John Kaiser with young friends in Kenya, where he served as a Millhill priest for many years from bipolar depression. When he was with his poor, loving people in Kenya, he could handle it. When he Page 4 Father Kaiser receiving Kenya s Human Rights Award in March 2000, just before his death came home on vacation, and saw all our goodies here and hearing people complain about being poor, he would fall apart. But he discovered his weakness, his Achilles heal, and he went to the Lord for help, and did great. Everyone has a weak spot; that is where we can go to the Lord and grow spiritually. We have lots to learn form him. John was prolife all the way, even to giving his own life. He distinguished himself in protecting the poor people in East Africa who were being robbed of their lands by the rich. In standing up against injustice he was political, but non partisan. He simply loved Jesus, people, and the Church. He believed God's ways are above civil ways. He stood in solidarity with the poor, with those losing their land, and with the girls getting abused by officials. His people warned him: those big guys will kill you and make it look like a suicide, stop it before that happens. But Fr. John Anthony Kaiser could not stop. He loved Jesus, the people and the church, and would not stop standing with them. He was shot on August 23, To this day his people lovingly call him The Rhino, an animal that is peaceful but if you molest it, it will charge and never stop. Many people in his home diocese remember him. The Poor Clare Sisters planted a tree in his memory. Sharon Brown printed 15,000 prayer cards with Fr. Kaiser s favorite prayer; Tom Rentz carries one of those cards in his billfold. The Yorek family in Elmdale adopted a highway in his memory and Dean Urdahl wrote one of the three books on him. We have so much good stuff to learn from him. Praise the Lord. An East African Dinner in Honor of Fr. Kaiser will be held at 5:00pm on Saturday, October 21st at Speltz House in Sauk Rapids. Funds raised at the dinner will be used to help build a roadside chapel at the site of Fr. Kaiser's murder, a project of the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission of the Kenyan Conference of Catholic Bishops. For more information contact Dr. Ron Pagnucco at rpagnucco@csbsju.edu or Fr. Tony Kroll at tonykroll@hotmail.com

5 Growth and Opportunities in San Rafael The Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls have for a long time had a presence of ministry in Mexico, which continues to evolve and grow. Below is an update from the area of San Rafael, where Franciscan Sisters Janice Wiechman, Ange Mayers and Mary Dumonceaux live and serve at Casa Franciscana. In September 2016, Sisters Ange Mayers and Janice Wiechman joined Sister Mary Dumonceaux at Casa Franciscana in San Rafael de Galeana, Mexico. Sister Ange soon became involved in youth ministry in the parish. During Advent and Lent, she helped prepare 69 young people and adults to serve as missionaries in seven villages in the high Sierra Mountains during Holy Week. Sister Janice accompanies the pastor on his rounds to say Mass in various villages of the parish. She herself visits the sick in their homes and gathers with the people for Bible study. Sister Mary continues working with a team of adult leaders who prepare parents and godparents of the First Communion and Confirmation students from all the villages of the parish. This team will offer a retreat in 13 centers for 500 adults. The ministry of providing support for young women living at Casa Franciscana while they attend high school is also changing. Understanding that there will be a day when the Franciscan Sisters may not be physically present, a lay woman has been engaged as sub-director. She has formed a team with three other employees: the administrative assistant, the overseer of food preparation and housecleaning, and the person who maintains the plant and the vehicles. Together, this team is in charge of the day-to-day care and guidance of the students. Sister Aurora Tovar, while not routinely present (see page 2 for her recent move to Ocampo) still serves as the director of the program. The three resident Franciscan Sisters Ange, Mary and Janice are, of course, present to the students daily. There is always good news to share: three of the current students graduated from secondary school in July. They plan to continue their studies: two in nursing and one in business administration. Among former students, four will have graduated from nursing programs by the end of this year and several more will complete their studies in business systems and computers. Still others, of course, have started families and serve in their villages. These ministries in the parish of San Rafael continue to be strong and support the growth of the Catholic Christian community of the whole area, as well as open new opportunities for young women. A Week to Remember Page 5 Sisters Janice Wiechman, Mary Dumonceaux and Ange Mayers serve the Mexico mission in San Rafael Get out your September 2017 calendars and a big red pen, because we have some exciting events for you! Join us this fall, as we welcome delegates from our partner diocese of Homa Bay, Kenya from September 20th to October 3rd. You can meet and greet these guests at a number of fantastic diocesan events during that time. In fact, we invite you to join us for not one, but THREE amazing events, all in ONE week! Join us on Sunday, September 24th for the V Encuentro. This gathering is part of a national four-year process initiated by the US Catholic Bishops to look at current and future realities in the Catholic church, especially as they pertain to the gifts of a growing diversity. Join us again the following day, Monday, September 25th, for Diocesan Ministry Day. This semi-annual event brings together leaders in all areas of parish life, and this year will focus on the same theme as the Encuentro, which is Missionary Disciples: Witnesses of God s Love. For more information, schedules or to register for one or both events visit: dmd-vencuentro.stcdio.org Then, finish off the week with the fourth annual Partnership Barn Dance on Saturday, September 30th at the Wadena County Fairgrounds. The event will begin with 4:00pm Mass with Bishop Kettler, followed by meal, multiple music groups, activities for the kids, live auction and more! Free will offerings support our diocesan partnerships with Homa Bay, Kenya and Maracay, Venezuela. 3 G 3 GREAT REAT EVENTS IN 1 WEEK WEEK!

6 Page 6 Mission Office/SPOF Catholic Diocese of St. Cloud 11 8 th Avenue South St. Cloud, MN Non-Profit Org. U.S.POSTAGE PAID St. Cloud, MN Permit No Father Shaun Crumb, MM with friends at ordinations in the Jilin Diocese of China Below Maryknoll Father Shaun Crumb, from Sacred Heart Parish in Glenwood, shares an update on his life and work in China and the way in which the support of our diocese has had an impact. I continue to offer Masses for the good people in our diocese. I finally received your Christmas card, Christmas in July I guess. The mail is way more reliable to Hong Kong, but I haven't gone through there since January, and now our regional superior, Fr. Brian, doesn't travel there as much to get our mail. Jilin City is finally hot. Right now, really hot, in the 90's. Like Minnesota, a drastic change from winter. I think Jilin had some snow until May. I was hoping to attend ordinations in New York of two Maryknollers, Peter and Daniel, who I studied with in Chicago, but because of mass commitments I wasn't able to go. But I was able to attend the ordinations of three seminarians from the Jilin Diocese. I help teach English at the Jilin Seminary, so it was great to attend the ordinations and gather with Catholics from the diocese to celebrate. The seminary also had a graduation Ordinations, Basketball and Taizé Father Shaun Crumb, MM (front left) with participants at last year s Taizé gathering in Hong Kong ceremony for four seminarians who finished their studies. Now they will work for a couple years at parishes, getting more experience before they are ordained. Fr. Rodrigo, Fr. Brian, and I rotate doing the English Mass in Changchun, where the ordinations were held. It's the cathedral and pretty much the only Catholic Church in a city of about five million. Many college students come to our Mass from all over the world west and east Africa, Philippines, USA, Mexico, Poland, and China. Some Chinese come just to listen to English and listen to the music, but that's great because then they learn a little about the church. We hope to do more Masses in other cities in the northeast. Now, I'm playing a lot of basketball with the college students before they leave for summer break. But I'm not as young as I used to be. I'm sore, but it's fun to play. I'll be going to Hong Kong for a Taizé gathering. Some of the money the Mission Office sent me will help fund a group of eight young adults from Shenyang, China to attend the conference. It's a great way for them to meet young people who are involved in the church from Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and others parts of China. Many of the young people have never been to Hong Kong. Last year I went with two students and it was great experience. They came back and now organize Taizé prayer once a month at the parish. We wanted more young people to experience the gathering, so thanks to your support we can bring more young people. Thank you again for your support.