August 2015 XMN

“Make of the world one family”

NewsletterVolume 63 - No. 3 | August 2015

www.xaviermissionaries.org • Mission Blog: www.global-catholic.org

Laudato SI: A Prayer for our Earth ..............................2

Message from the World Social Forum .........................3

Going Beyond Borders ......................................................4

Finding Common Ground ....................................................5

USA Xaverians on Retreat..............................................6-7

Xaverian Spirituality ......................................................8-9

World & US Province News ........................................10-11

Photo: Deforestation and resulting flooding in Thailand, by Genesis Media

Xaverian Mission

2 Xaverian Mission Newsletter •August 2015

Laudato Si

Join with the Xaverian Missionaries in caring for CreationContact

Fr. Frank Grappoli, SX12 Helene CourtWayne, NJ 07470Tel: 973-942-2975

Or visit: www.xaviermissionaries.org for online donations

Xaverian MissionariesProvincial Headquarters12 Helene CourtWayne, NJ 07470-2813Tel.: (973) 942-2975Fax: (973) 942-5012Email: [email protected]

Xavier Knoll Mission Center4500 Xavier DriveFranklin, WI 53132-9066Tel.: (414) 421-0831Fax: (414) 421-9108Email:[email protected]

Global Youth Mission Services (theGYM)Fatima Shrine101 Summer StreetP.O. Box 5857Holliston, MA 01746-5857Tel.: (508) 429-2144Fax: (508) 429-4793Email: [email protected]

Xaverian Mission NewsletterOfficial publication of theXaverian Missionaries of the United States

PublisherFr. Carl Chudy

Communications BoardFr. Carl Chudy SXFr. Tony Lalli SXFr. Rocco Puopolo SXFr. Aniello Salicone SX

EditorMary Aktay

Printing AlphaGraphics, Totowa, NJ

Email & Web:[email protected]: www.xaviermissionaries.orgSt. Guido site: www.guidoconforti.comMission blog: www.global-catholic.orgwww.facebook.com/catholicmissionar-ieswww.twitter.com/worldcatholic

Donation: $5.00 per year

LAUDATO SION CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME

A Prayer for Our Earth

All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe

and in the smallest of your creatures.

You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.

Pour out upon us the power of your love,

that we may protect life and beauty.

Fill us with peace, that we may live

as brothers and sisters, harming no one.

O God of the poor,

help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,

so precious in your eyes.

Bring healing to our lives,

that we may protect the world and not prey on it,

that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.

Touch the hearts

of those who look only for gain

at the expense of the poor and the earth.

Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,

to be filled with awe and contemplation,

to recognize that we are profoundly united

with every creature

as we journey towards your infinite light.

We thank you for being with us each day.

Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle

for justice, love and peace.

Leave a

legacy of love!

Consider inclu

ding

the Xaverian

Missionaries in

your Last Will &

Testament.

Increase your impact!

If your employer

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3Xaverian Mission Newsletter • August 2015

“We Can Change!” A Message from the World Social Forum

in Tunis by Bishop George Biguzzi SX

The World Social Forum (WSF) is held every two years in dif-ferent cities. Started in Porto Alegre, Brazil in 2001, as a rival of the World Economic Forum in Davos (Switzerland),

the WSF is a kind of civil society World Congress, an attempt to give voice to those who have no voice. Its slogan is: “Another world is possible.” The Forum does not produce final declara-tions or legislative proposals, but its thematic meetings focus urgent social problems, and can thus influence the world public opinion.

Tunis response to the attack

The last World Social Forum was held from 24 to March 28, 2015 in Tunis, one week after the terrorist attack at the Bardo Museum. The violence did not stop the convening of the Forum or the involvement of the Tunisian people.

For Xaverian Missionaries participating in the WSF, it is a way of answering the call of Pope Francis for a church to go where

“there are challenges and new circumstances of the evangelizing mission of the Church” (Evangelii Gaudium 20), and bring the Joy of the Gospel to all. I attended the Forum along with a delega-tion of missionaries, and I met with priests, religious, lay people and groups from various parts of the world.

Interesting meetings...

During the Forum interesting unplanned meetings occurred with the participants and with the population. A Tunisian girl who met me on the bus said: “thank you for your presence. It is a sign of hope for all of us.” Over fifteen hundred meetings in Tunis University classrooms touched the most varied themes: trafficking in human beings; women slaves of prostitution in Europe; interreligious dialogue; climate change; hoarding of land, waters and oceans; criticism and finance policies; rights of migrants and refugees; peace and reconciliation, spirituality and human rights and more.

For all there is a call to review their lifestyles. Outside the classrooms there were a whole series of languages, races, colors, messages, events. I was struck by the message launched by a pair of Sicilians who marched for three days with a large banner with the words, “Lives Adrift”—a message that shakes the con-science in the face of the tragedy of the deaths in the Mediterranean.

“Yes, we can...”

Is another world possible? We Christians can and must cultivate and grow the seeds of the Kingdom of God. On the bus on the way to the Forum, a passenger asked us: “do you believe the world can change?” A nun from Eritrea imme-diately responded with the words of Mother Teresa: “Change the world, I don’t know. But you and I can change!” Actually, if no one is considered exempt from this commitment, a better world is possible.

Xaverian Missionaries in the World

World Social Forum 2015 in Tunis, Tunisia. Photo credit: Hoda Baraka, 350.org

Women’s groups amongst those marching at the World Social Forum 2015. Poster reads: “The Solutions Are in Her Hands.” Photo credit: Thelma Young, 350.org

Over 1,500 events were organized throughout the five days of the WSF. Photo credit: Hoda Baraka 350.org

Xaverian Mission Newsletter •August 20154

Xaverian Missionaries in the World

Going Beyond Borders…“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the

life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared” ~The Buddha

We approach the one year anniversary that Frs. Mattia, Thiago and I are serving Saint Joseph the Worker Parish in Thailand. Since our arrival our main focus has been meeting people—our parishioners

and those who are animist or Buddhist and developing friendship with all— and trying to understand the Akha culture. The majority of Catholics in the parish are Akha even though this tribal group is a minority in the area we are serving.

Our parishioners are mostly farmers. Thus the life of the parish is greatly influ-enced by their activities. The parish is fully alive on Sundays with the celebration of the Eucharist in Thai, but the Gospel is also read in Akha. After mass a coffee hour provides an opportunity to know each other and to talk about everything—health, family life, problems and joys of the villages.

We also try to reach out to the Burmese groups who live in the territory of the Parish and who are seen as cheap labor and unfor-tunately maligned. We are trying to foster a better relationship between them and our parishioners. Twice a week, we go to visit them with some young people of the parish.

One of our difficulties is to make of our parish a real Christian Community where all feel at home. Our parish for historical and geographical reasons is linked to the Akha group (the official name of the parish is Saint Joseph the Worker Parish Akha) so it is

sometimes very difficult for them to understand the difference between their tradi-tion and Gospel values. Some parishioners who belong to other tribal groups feel as mere guests within the community.

In our effort to serve this parish better, our tasks are as follows:

Education of Children and teenagers (Christian formation and English); Adult formation (BEC and Catechism for adults) : Coffee hour ministry; Italian groups or Lay Xaverians; Pastoral care of sick and elderly; Burmese groups and villages around the Parish; Interreligious dialogue and ecumenism.

We believe our reason for being here is first to continue to nourish the faith of our parishioners but also to help them to respond to Christ’s call to be missionary. In fact, about 80% of people who reside on the territory entrusted to us are still waiting for the Good News of Christ

to reach them, so we hope that our Christian Community will help us to reach out to those people. Our daily prayer is that through the intercession of Saints Joseph, Francis Xavier and Guido Conforti, we might be good instruments and good servants in the Vineyard of the Lord, servants who are not afraid to share God’s love, to go beyond borders, to build bridges, and to trust the Holy Spirit. Fr. Thierry Kengne,SX

Sky Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Saint Joseph the Worker Parish Akha

Village in Thailand

You can help Frs. Mattia, Thiago and Thierry bring the JOY of the GOSPEL to Thailand. Either clip this paper and send it to the address below or help the environment by donating online at http://www.xaviermissionaries.org/support/

Name: Donation Amount:

Address: City: State: Zip

Email or phone:

Mail to: Fr. Frank Grappoli SX, 12 Helene Ct., Wayne, NJ 07470

Xaverian Site Supported:

□Franklin Xaverian Knoll, WI; □Fatima Shrine

Holliston, MA; □Provincial House Wayne, NJ

Xaverian Mission Newsletter • August 2015 5

Xaverian Missionaries in the USA

Finding Common Ground

A nyone interested in changing the world through citizen action, join us!

COMMON GROUND 2015 on October 8 in New Brunswick, NJ, is a free all-day conference,open to the general public, that aims to br ing together reli-g ious believers, secular humanists, and nonbelievers in conversation to gain perspective on each other’s ways of seeing the world while embracing common-alit ies in our human exper ience that unite us for social change.

Through three panel sessions and a workshop, at-tendees will hear academics and leaders from na-tional and local organizations discuss v iews on find-ing meaning in life, ethics and values, and how to collaborate for social action.

Speakers include Dr. Welton Gaddy, founder of the Inter faith Alliance and the “State of Belief”radio pro-gram; Dr. Arun Gandhi, socio-political activ ist, grand-son of Mohandas Gandhi; Chr is Stedman, chaplain of the humanist community at Yale and author of Faithiest, John Sivalon, MM, former General Super ior of Maryknoll Missioners and author of God’s Mission and Post-modern Culture: The Gift of Uncertainty.

The event is sponsored by Rutgers University Off Campus Liv ing and Community Partnerships, the Amer ican Humanist Society and the Xaver ian Missionar ies. See more and register at http://www.commonground2015.org/

Common Ground 2015 is a continuation of the first “Common Ground,” hosted by Xaver ian Mission-ar ies in Scotland in 2013. It was a weekend gather ing which brought together people of all faiths or lack thereof, students and academics, clergy and lay leaders to encourage understanding, empathy, social action, and collaboration between nonbelievers and believers, culminating in a presentation at the Scottish Parliament.

In addition to Common Ground 2015, the Xaver ian Missionar ies are also participating in the World Parliament of Religions. The program, titled, Common Ground: Conversations between Relig ious Believers and Secular Humanists, will be a panel presentation with a wider discussion with the au-dience on the dialogue between atheists, secular humanists, and religious believers and the pursuit to find mutual values and ethics that we all share in order to build a better world together. The Par-liament of World Religions, http://www.parliamentofreligions.org/index.cfm, will take place October 15-19, 2015 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The panelists are: Fr. Carl Chudy SX, Rev. Kathleen Greene a Unitar ian Universalist pastor, Nadia Hassan of the Islamic Society of North Amer ica, Mr. Mel Lipman former president of the Amer ican Humanist Association and Lor i Fazzino, humanist and Doctor of Sociology candidate at Nevada Uni-versity.

The Xaver ian Missionar ies have been involved in inter faith and intercultural dialogue since their founding by St. Guido Conforti in the early part of the 20th Century. These Common Ground ef-forts are a continuation of this commitment to foster mutual understanding and cooperation among peoples with the knowledge that despite our differences the world is indeed “One Family.”

Fr. Carl Chudy SX

Reflect and RenewOur Consecration to Mission:Xaverian Family on Retreat

Frs. Dominic Caldognetto SX and Francis Signorelli SX in conversation. Photo credit: Fr. Frank Grappoli SX

USA Xaverians in a working session with Fr. Luigi Menegazzo SX Superior General of the Order Miramar Retreat Center, Duxbury, MA

Sister Verònica Paredes Sanchez XMM and Fr. René Casillas SX take a break together.

In commemoration of the Year of Consecrated Life and the 150th Birth Anniversary of our founder, St. Guido Maria Conforti, we gathered together

to pray, reflect, and re-invigorate our consecration to mission. Together with our sisters, we were grateful for the presence of our Superior General, Fr. Luigi Menegazzo SX who assisted us in our prayerful gathering as our retreat master.

All of the reflections and prayer were opportunities to center ourselves on the prophetic role of religious life in a world with deep human needs. The purpose of religious life in the Church is to attempt to answer these needs, an answer to many prayers from the power of the Holy Trinity. Two occasions captured our attention: the focus on the gift of religious life to the Church and world as proclaimed by

Reflect and RenewOur Consecration to Mission:Xaverian Family on Retreat Taking notes and deep in thought, Xaverians concentrate on their

commitment to “Consecrated Life.”

Pope Francis. The second is the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of the founder of the Xaverian Missionaries, St. Guido Conforti. Both of these occasions gave us much pause to consider the questions that come from the crossroads of the world where we live and work.

The experience of the poor, inter-religious and intercultural dialogue, the complementarity of men and women, environmentalism in a sick world, eugenics without scruples, a globalized economy...: these must be inhabited and brought firmly under the guidance of the Holy Spirit who groans aloud in all of them (Rom 8:22-27). Can consecrated life become a welcoming dialogue partner “in the search for God which has always stirred the human heart”? Can we be part of the healing balm for the pain and woundedness that world bears today?

Fr. Carl Chudy SX Fr. Luigi Menegazzo SX prepares for liturgy.

Sister Rebeca Sānchez Pérez XMM (right) and Sister Rosetta Serra XMM share a reflective

moment in the Chapel.Xaverian fathers and sisters are all smiles as they pose together.

8 Xaverian Mission Newsletter •August 2015

Xaverian Spirituality

Xaverian Mission Newsletter • August 2015 9

Inspired by St. Guido Conforti

The Xaverian is a person of action in constant union with

Christ“Xaverian Spirituality” is the way Xaverian Missionaries live the Gospel as God had inspired in Conforti, through the contemplation of the Crucified Christ.

This “spirituality” has been enriched by the experience of the 100 years of our Congregation existence; the Church has welcomed and sets it in front of us as the way to fulfill our vocation.

Our is an “harmonious” spirituality, founded upon three different elements :

• “a spirit of living faith which enables us to see God, seek God, love God in all things, intensifying our desire to spread his Kingdom everywhere;

• a spirit of prompt and ready obedience in everything;

• a spirit of intense love for our religious family and for all its members.”

St. Guido Maria Conforti was a man of deep faith which he had made the ruling factor of his life. Faith made him see Christ as the all, and in all.

Faith was also the reason for the great respect he showed to every person: he recognized Christ in the person in front of him, no matter gender, age or social status.

St. Guido left this principle “Christ is all, and in all” to us as a life program. We pray that he may now obtain for us a personal, profound and transforming experience of Christ to enable us to recognize him in people and events of our history.

Fr. Michael Davitti SX

Opposite page: The crucifix that made an impact upon St. Guido’s life. Notice his motto on the left: The Love of Christ Urges us! This page: Top: Canonization Icon with his mottoes, Christ is All and the Love of Christ Urges Us.

10 Xaverian Mission Newsletter •August 201510

World Mission News Digest

World Mission News Digest

AFRICA/CAMEROON Food insecurity in the north of the Country

Maroua (Agenzia Fides) - It is increasingly difficult to find food in northern Cameroon especially due to the insecurity caused by Boko Haram which has seriously damaged agriculture and cross-border trade. Aid agencies and local authorities have

launched a warning about the risk of a serious food crisis for 180,000 people in the region. The malnutrition rate among children under 5 years of age continues to worsen.

Over 70% of farmers have abandoned their fields since last year and many others did not sow in time. There are also Nigerian refugees who have occupied over 200 hectares of land originally used for agriculture. Last year cereals, such as sorghum, millet, beans and rice, decreased by over 50%. In some areas food prices have increased significantly. Even during peaceful times, the northern region of Cameroon has always been precarious due to lack of water. 25 to 30% of the land is arid. Several international and government aid agencies are trying to bring supplies, but insecurity makes reaching the most vulnerable difficult and dangerous.

Market in Cameroon

Filipina Muslim Girl

AMERICA/COLOMBIA

Latin American Religious give their full support and unreserved commitment for Peace in Colombia

Bogota (Agenzia Fides) - At the end of the CLAR Congress, Confederation of religious men and women of Latin America and the Caribbean, held in Bogota a statement was issued in which the participants expressed full support to the peace process in Colombia. The participants commit themselves to pray for peace and to take the cause of peace and reconciliation as a moral duty for the Latin American Catholic church. “We will work more and more - says the text sent to Fides - alongside the victims, we will pray for the help and wisdom of the Spirit to commit ourselves wholeheartedly to this cause.” They also propose to open a table of dialogue with ELN (National Liberation Army), asking them to entirely abandon weapons and build together the structural changes that peace demands.

The CLAR Congress was attended by about 1,200 people and had the theme “Concrete developments in living our charism today”. Among the specific objectives, emphasis was put on how to “propose new alternatives for Consecrated Life, find paths for Consecrated Life for a missionary disciple.”

ASIA/PHILIPPINES“Laudato Sì”: A source of inspi-ration for dialogue and for the care of creation

Zamboanga (Agenzia Fides) - “Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si, is a new source of inspiration and encouragement for the work of interreligious dialogue and for the care of the environment,” stated the “Silsilah” Movement for dialogue founded by PIME missionary Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra in 1984 and active in the southern Philippines. It is based on a spirituality of “life-in-dia-logue,” based on four pillars: dialogue with God; dialogue with oneself; dialogue with others; dialogue with creation.

“For Silsilah, the encyclical is a sign of the times,” because “dialogue with creation”

has been significantly strengthened and “calls on Muslims and Christians to work together for the common good,” as they did in the defense of the catchment basin area of Ayala, when Muslims and Christians in Mindanao worked hand in hand to prevent the dismantling and the arrival of a mining company. Encouraged by this successful experi-ence, Silsilah is still active in protect-ing all water catchment areas in Zamboanga as “concrete commitment of care for our common home.”

Even the clear “spiritual perspective” that has primacy in the encyclical is

“a source of great inspiration,” says the Movement. “This perspective is a fundamental part in the discernment on environmental issues and implies a relationship of mutual responsibility between humans and nature,” a vision fully shared by Silsilah.

ASIA/THAILANDConclusion of the Council: New paths to give witness to Christ in Thailand”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “The Plenary Council of the Catholic Church in Thilandia, just concluded in Bangkok, was an important moment to remember the past, our roots, and to look towards the future: the Catholics seek new paths to incarnate the Gospel in the country and live it in society, economy, politics, in order to contribute to the common good of the nation,” stated Fr. Peter Watchasin, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Thailand.

The Bishops’ Conference of Thailand has declared 2015 “Holy Year” to commemo-rate the 350 years since the first Synod of Ayutthaya (old capital of the country) held in 1664, which laid the foundation for the stable presence of the Church in Southeast Asia. The Director said, “It was a fruitful time of reflection, dialogue and discussion among all members of the Catholic community. We asked ourselves how to be disciples of Christ in Thailand today and what are the new paths to proclaim the Good News of Christ.”

Peace efforts in Colombia

Ministry in Thailand

Xaverian Mission Newsletter • August 2015 11

News from our USA Communities

News from our USA Communities

FRANKLIN KNOLL MISSION FESTIVAL

Finally, this year on both days of Festival, June 26 and 27, there was no rain; often the sun made its appearance! That encouraged people to come and participate and the at-tendance was larger than last year.

Everything had been well organized under the leadership of Fred Mi-chalek. The Fathers helped in many ways. Fr. Mark collected items for the rummage sale and for the other booths. Fr. Alex helped with setting up, moving furniture, driving truck and even the big tractor. Fr. Dominic oversaw the buying of items for the food and game sectors. Frs. Aniello and Larry welcomed people with big smiles.

The rummage sale was very well organized by Chris Sowa and her friends, Judy Rick, Roxanne Vander-heyden and others. It brought in more income than any previous year.

A large crowd of people attended the celebration of the Eucharist on Sunday, June 27 at 10:30. The main celebrant was Fr. Alex. The Saint Al-phonsus’ Bell Choir played beautifully.

Linda, our secretary, organized the raffle and the volunteers for the boots. Her brother Paul Riess was the clown and spent the days mak-ing people smile.

There were many volunteers who helped in organizing, setting up and in cleaning up by removing booths, tables, and re-stacking chairs after the Festival.

A special mention has to be made to the cooking staff for the spaghetti & meatball supper with Sr. Laurette Guenthar and friends, and for the baked chicken with the Meinholz family.

The grand Knight Lester Kostera of the Knights of Columbus Council

1709 of South Milwaukee and his friends helped in many things, especially in selling beer and other drinks.

People also enjoyed the music offered by bands.

At 7:00 PM on June 27, with the draw-ing tickets of the winners of the raffle, the Festival closed. Everybody was happy and grateful to the Lord for the wonderful two days of the Festival.

~Fr. Aniello Salicone SX

HOLLISTON FATIMA SHRINE

Pilgrimages

The Portuguese Pilgrimage, one of the largest pilgrimages to Fatima Shrine, took place on July 26th. Charismatic and Neocatechumenate groups, Hispanic and Filipino and even a group from Wayne NJ will make pilgrimages to Fatima Shrine in August.

Fatima Days

On the 13th of each month from now until October celebrations dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima continue at the Shrine.

Monthly Retreats

The monthly RETREAT at the Fatima Shrine will resume on September 13th, giving those who come an opportunity to celebrate the many ways that Mission can be expressed, proclaiming the Lord Jesus to all God’s people. For informa-tion please call 508-429-2144

Save the DateHolliston’s 63rd Annual Mission Banquet will take place on October 17, 2015 beginning with a Mass at 4:00 PM and followed by dinner and festivities. The Theme is “Building Peace around our World.”

~Fr. Joe Matteucig SX

WAYNE PROVINCIAL HOUSE

We gratefully acknowledge the following gifts: Three chalices from the Knights of

Columbus Commodore John Barry Assembly in Rockledge Florida which have been sent to the Diocese of Makeni in Sierra Leone for use by newly ordained diocesan priests there; Hand-made rosaries from St. Anthony’s Parish Rosary Makers under the direction of Frances Koerner from St. Anthony Parish in Hawthorne, NJ, also sent to the Diocese of Makeni. The work of your hands stretches out around the world and is being placed in the hands of our brothers and sisters in Faith. Thank you!

~Fr. Frank Grappoli SX

Xaverians in Wayne wish to welcome the new Pastor Fr. Peter Von Breton Wells along with his associate Fr. Peter Filipkowski to Our Lady of the Valley Parish.

And we wish Fr. ST Sutton all the best in his new assignment as Pastor of St. Joseph parish, Newton NJ.

Fr. Michael Davitti SX was installed as Chaplain of Knights of Columbus where he will serve the council as spiritual adviser to the brother knights and families and help develop a better informed lay Catholic leadership.

~Fr. Michael Davitti SX

Save the DateSocial Media Spreading the

Good News.

The Xaverian Missionaries USA together with the NJ SYNOD of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America will pres-ent a Workshop on Social Media and Evangelization with Meredith Gould on September 26, 2015.

For more Provincial House news please see page 5 for upcoming conferences.

~Fr. Carl Chudy SX

Franklin Knoll Mission Festival

Portuguese Pilgrimage at Fatima Shrine

Fr. Michael offers invoca-tion for Knights of Columbus

Meredith Gould

Xaverian Mission Newsletter • May 2015Non-Profit Org.

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Xaverian Missionaries Serve In: Bangladesh • Brazil • Burundi • Cameroon • Chad • Colombia • Democratic Republic of Congo • France

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Xaverian Missionaries

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“Our daily prayer is that through the intercession of Saints Joseph, Francis Xavier and Guido Conforti, we might be good instruments and good servants in the Vineyard of the Lord, servants who are not afraid to share God’s love, to go beyond borders, to build bridges, and to trust the Holy Spirit.” ~ Fr. Thierry Kengne,SX

[email protected]

“Serve in the Vineyard of the Lord” as a Xaverian Missionary!

Contact:Fr. Rocco Puopolo at

TheGYM

The Xaverian Community in Thailand