May 2016 Xaverian Missionaries Newsletter

8/17/2019 May 2016 Xaverian Missionaries Newsletter

1/12

“Make of the world one family”

NewsletterVolume 64 - No. 2 | May 2016

www.xaverianmissionaries.org • http://xaverianmissionaries.org/missionblog/.org

Serving God’s People ......................................2

Formation in Asia .............................................3

Easter Experience ..........................................4

Resurrection in a Diverse World ................5

Provincial Chapter ......................................6-7

Xaverian Missionaries Online ....................8-9

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

The New US Provincial Council: photo by Fr. Carl Chudy SX

Xaverian Mission

http://www.xaviermissionaries.org/http://www.global-catholic.org/http://www.global-catholic.org/http://www.xaviermissionaries.org/


2/12


3/12

3Xaverian Mission Newsletter • May 2016

FORMATION IN ASIA

ASIA IS A LAND OF VOCATIONSThe whirlwind of modernity, globalization and the Social Media in noway eliminates the profound characteristic that is typical of thisContinent: the ability to relate to God even in the ideological, moral

and ethical frenzy of the huge cities in which we Xaverians have ourCenters of formation. Our communities continue to welcome candi-dates to the Xaverian life; it seems almost a miracle and we want tobe always worthy of it! The Xaverians have been working uninterrupt-edly on this Continent since the Founder sent Fr. Caio Rastelli andDeacon Manini to China, and we want to continue working with the Lord in thesechaotic cities to form new laborers for his Vineyard.

ASIA IS DEMANDINGThis Continent has seen the birth of great religious traditions of many peo-ples and they continue to flourish today. The languages, cultural tradi-tions, ethical and moral customs and social stratifications, oblige the mis-sionary to acquire a special sensitivity and study. In a particular way they

call for a refined human, spiritual and cultural sensitivity. We cannotafford to surrender to mediocrity and a general approach to reality. Wemust not look upon the demands made of us by Asia as a burden, but as aprovidential opportunity because it compels us to be well-prepared forma-tors. Let us take advantage of this opportunity, both as individuals andcommunities, since Formation is not just the task of the Formator, but ofthe entire Circumscription.

Let us willingly embrace the demands that Asia places before us and letus form Xaverians who are ready for every kind of necessity and missionary chal-lenge.

ASIA IS A FERTILE LAND FOR THE GOSPEL

The statistics do not scare us, nor do they undermine our hope. We knowthat the percentage of Christians in Asia is minimal. We know even more,however, of the astonishing strength of the Asian martyrs and we knowfrom experience that Christ is needed, Christ is awaited and Christ is fol-lowed in Asia. Asia is a land of Proclamation of the Gospel and theFormation of missionaries and, consequently, it is a fundamental and out-standing missionary work. The Formation of new Asian Xaverians is a nec-essary and honorable task for us!

THE FOUNDER LOVES HIS FAMILY WITH AN

UNDIVIDED HEART An undivided and well-oriented heart, that is sensitive to the life of its Family,gives security and promotes communion. How precious in Asia are the

Formators who show by their example, and teach by their words, that theConsecrated family is a true family, just as, and even more than, the naturalfamily, and that it is light for the world, centered not on a short-lived trea-sure, but on a treasure that endures forever.

Our Xaverian Family has received from the Founder the mission to make ofthe world a single family in the name of Christ. This is a great and wonderfulmission.

From the homily of Fr. Luigi Menegazzo during the closing Mass of the Xaverian

Asian Formators Meeting

Xaverian Missionaries in the World

St. Guido Conforti with the rst Xaverian

Missionaries

Offering sacrice in Taiwan

Good Friday in Indonesia

Asian Formators Meeting


4/12

Xaverian Mission Newsletter • May 20164

Xaverian Missionaries in the World

You can help Br. Mark’s ministry in Yiffin, Sierra Leone. Either clip this paper and send it to the address below or helpthe environment by donating online at http://www.xaverianmissionaries.org/support/Name: Donation Amount:

Address: City: State: Zip

Email or phone:

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

EASTER EXPERIENCE

T

his year I spent the Holy Week and Easter in Yiffin, a beautifulKuranko village in the Northern part of Sierra Leone, 85 km of badroad from Kabala, deep in the bush where it takes a whole day to

repair a flat tire!

I am a Xaverian seminarian and the experience was really fruitful for me.The celebrations were alternated with meetings and activities so thateverybody could enjoy and participate fully. On Holy Thursday, for exam-ple, we were told that, as we eat rice and the rice becomes part of ourbody and gives us strength, in the same way, when we take communion,we are assimilated to the body of Christ. One prominent person in thechurch immediately drew the conclusionthat with the Eucharist we become Jesusand all our actions become his. We remem-bered St. Teresa’s prayer: “Jesus has nohands, only our hands, no feet, only ourfeet...” Sometimes people can say that our

Mass is short, but considering that when weleave the church we continue to act asJesus, I think that our celebration lasts allalong!

Being in Yiffin, where the Fathers can be present only some Sundays inthe year, and considering the centrality of the Eucharist, I also felt howimportant is the role of the priest for the community.

Good Friday is the day when Jesus died for us. But this time I understoodbetter how it is all about God loving this world to the extent of giving hisSon. It is a love born in the heart of the Trinity, with God going out ofhimself in the work of creation, and then with Jesus leaving his conditionas God to become Human, a humble man, and then accepting to die on a

cross, he went back to God renewing everything and giving us the oppor-tunity of a new life. In this way the negative was transformed into a pas-sage to life: the paschal mystery! We see Love not as a sentiment or justa good feeling, but action, going out of oneself to encounter the differ-ent, even the suffering, without fear because it is in losing that we find.This triumph of life over death is what we celebrated in the Easter Vigiland on Easter Sunday Mass.

We left Yiffin happy for these days spent with wonderful people and won-derful youth with whom we shared so many joyful moments, including avolleyball match and swimming in the river. The only thing that made ushold our breath was the bad road and the worry about flat tires. But allwent well, and we are grateful to God.

Br. Mark Bangura SX

Xaverian House Supported:

□Franklin Xaverian Knoll, WI; □Fatima Shrine

Holliston, MA; □Provincial House Wayne, NJ

All smiles in Sierra Leone

Transportation in Sierra Leone

Good Friday in Sierra Leone

We see Love not as a sen-timent or just a good feel-

ing, but action, goingout of oneself to encoun-

ter the different, even

the suffering, without fear because it is in losingthat we find .

http://www.xaviermissionaries.org/support/https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=DwDsF1-UJOEgqPr7e0QflXPQFUVl0c-czVZrki8pohCRnWMsm5DAYnP4lUK&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f8e263663d3faee8d66f31424b43e9a70645c907a6cbd8fb4http://www.xaviermissionaries.org/support/


5/12

Xaverian Mission Newsletter • May 2016 5

Xaverian Missionaries in the USA

The Power of the Resurrection in a Diverse World

T he joy and hope of the Easter Season is with us in a very different world than the first disciples experienced,and yet there are some interesting similarities as well. The world of the first disciples and the initial growth ofChristianity was in a very culturally diverse, and religiously pluralistic world, much like today. In fact, the UnitedStates, like others, is one of the most religiously diverse nations in the world.The Christian movement initially began not from a single center but from many different centers where different groupsof disciples of Jesus gathered and tried to make sense of what they had experienced with him and what had happenedto him at the end of his public ministry.

FAITHS ENGAGING WITH EACH OTHEREarly Christianity, by moving into different realms of the different universes of thought and of religion in the Greco-Roman world, adopted many concepts from other religions, lots of them faiths of different varieties which enriched theearly Christian movement tremendously.

This probably should encourage us to say that our discourse, not only within Christian circles, but also our dialogue withother religions, with Jews, with Muslims, with Buddhists, and others is indeed very fruitful. In fact, our Catholic identityis strengthened when we engage meaningfully with those of other faiths or those who do not espouse any religiousaffiliation.

INTERFAITH EXCHANGE VITAL TO EVANGELIZATION At the time of Vatican II, it was Pope Paul VI who was the first to help us understand what it means to be Catholic in adiverse world that is changing rapidly before our very eyes. He says that the Church must be in dialogue with the world,

if for no other reason than because God is in dialogue with us through Christ.

In 1984, St. Pope John Paul II reflected that interfaith dialogue is fundamental for the Church, based on the very life ofthe triune God, as well as on respect and love for every human person.

“As far as the local churches are concerned, they must commit themselves in this direction, helping all the faithful torespect and esteem the values, traditions, and convictions of other believers.”

Fr. Carl Chudy SX

Check out Fr. Carl’s blog: http://xaverianmissionaries.org/missionblog/ and also his blog on Patheos, http://www.patheos.com/blogs/secularspectrum/author/cchudy/

Raphael, St. Paul Preaching in Athens

http://xaverianmissionaries.org/missionblog/http://www.patheos.com/blogs/secularspectrum/author/cchudy/http://www.patheos.com/blogs/secularspectrum/author/cchudy/http://xaverianmissionaries.org/missionblog/


6/12

US Xaverian Missionaries

Provincial Chapter XV

X a v e r i a n Missionaries from New Jersey, Massachusetts, andWisconsin gathered at a retreat house in Duxbury MA during aspring snow storm for their Provincial Chapter which is held every

four years. Modeled after the old chapter rooms in ancient monasteries,the Provincial Chapter is an opportunity for all to gather in order to lookback at the last four years in gratitude and in the lessons learned, andlook ahead to what we must do in changing times with hope and courage.

Fr. Joe Connelly, a Divine Word missionary, shared a first morning ofrecollection with us. He spoke of the enormous changes in mission andreligious life today and our need to “be watchful.” The many changes in ourmen and the work we undertake captured our attention at this particularchapter. New directives for how we live our life together were fashioned, newways at development work and fund-raising explored, and how we collaboratewith Xaverian Missionaries in other parts of the world were reviewed.

The biggest shift is how we are focusing, with ever greater urgency,on how we help the Church connect meaningfully to a world that isincreasingly non-Catholic, non-Christian, and non-religious. Interfaithand intercultural dialogue demand a certain expertise from us, one weattempt to equip ourselves for in many ways. Pray that we may allowourselves to be led with a more profound trust in the power of the Trinity

as we are urged forward to proclaim Christ in these challenging times.

Fr. Carl Chudy SX


7/12

Above: The New Provincial Council: (from left to right: Fr. Alex Rodriguez,

Councilor, Fr. Joe Matteucig, Vice Provincial, Fr. Tony Lalli, Councilor, Fr.

Mark Marangone, Provincial Superior, Fr. Rocco Puopolo, Councilor

Pray that we may allow ourselves to be led with a more profound trust in the power of the Trinity as we are urged

forward to proclaim Christ in these challenging times.

Chapter photos: Planning, Celebrating and Sharing together


8/12

8 Xaverian Mission Newsletter • May 2016

Xaverian Missionaries

“C

ommunication, wherever and however it takes place,has opened up broader horizons for many people. Thi

is a gift of God which involves a great responsibility. Ilike to refer to this power of communication as ‘closeness.’”(Pope Francis, Message for the 50th World CommunicationsDay, 24 January 2016).

The Xaverian Missionaries are “lowering their nets” into newwaters: that of the new world of Social Media. From January18th to the 30th at their Spirituality Center in Tavernerio (CO)Italy, twenty nine Xaverian missionaries and Xaverian Missionariesof Mary representing all 20 regions of the men’s and women’scommunities worldwide are investing quality time to study thisnew world of Social Media and how it can become “the place” forevangelization and witness of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh,

the One who is the medium of God’s love and mercy to our worldThe representative of the USA communities was Fr. RoccoPuopolo, the director of theGYM, an initiative of the US XaverianMissionaries for youth and young adults located at the FatimaShrine, Holliston Massachusetts.

The objectives of this meeting were:

1. to take stock of the general situation of the variousregions in the media field,

2. to provide a reflection that will lead us to a betterknowledge of the new “periphery” (those on the outside) in theworld of mass media and social media communications,

3. to promote the use of the social media in the field ofmissionary-vocational education, and

4. as missionaries, to guarantee the competent use ofsocial media for evangelization, in harmony with the priorities ofour Xaverian charism.

Xaverian Missionaries Online:


9/12


Forging New Path

The first week was devoted to learning backgroundinformation from a number of specialists in field of social

media such as the philosophy and anthropology of socialmedia, the development and structure of the languageof social media, the various ways that the networksand platforms work and how the missionaries could beengaged in them. They also shared short reports fromeach of the regions which gave the assembly a globalpicture of how the various communities are engaged inthis world of social media.

The second week focused on a better understandingof the past, present and future involvements of thecommunity in social media, beginning with some of thehistorical aspects of the founder Bishop Conforti and

his interest in the use of the media of his time. Hewas one of the first to invest time, talent and moneyin film and print media production beginning in the1920’s and gave a firm foundation to the importanceof communicating and evangelizing the world throughmodern means of media. The participants became awareof various platforms of media that exists now as well asthe rich tradition of persons and archives which formsour history in this field. By reviewing what they learnedfrom the experts as well as from the various reports, theassembly then began to propose ways to move into thepresent and future world of social media proposing waysfor the community to be effective in evangelizing this

new world. “The sower went out and part of its seedfell on the World Wide Web”

Fr. Rocco Puopolo SX

“Nets” cast in New Waters

What’s in aname? Wellsearch engineswere confusedby xaviermis-sionaries.org sowe changed ouwebsite domain

name to www.xaverianmis-sionaries.org. But don’t worreven if you typin the formername you willbe redirected tthe new site.

http://www.xaverianmissionaries.org./http://www.xaverianmissionaries.org./http://www.xaverianmissionaries.org./http://www.xaverianmissionaries.org./http://www.xaverianmissionaries.org./http://www.xaverianmissionaries.org./


10/12

10 Xaverian Mission Newsletter • May 201610

World Mission News Digest

World Mission News Digest

AMERICA/MEXICO

“Dioceses without borders”, initiative for the reception of migrants

Nogales (Agenzia Fides) - An unprecedented religious

celebration took place on Sunday, February 21,

at the border between Agua Prieta (Mexico) and

Douglas (United States), and will be repeated at the

border between Naco (United States) and Nogales

(Mexico).

Bishop José Leopoldo González of Nogales (Sonora,

Mexico) described the initiative as “Diocese without

borders,” which consists in celebrating one Mass on

both sides of the border. On the Mexican side the

Bishop Gerald Frederick Kicanas of Tucson, Arizona,

celebrated Mass, while on the US side it was

celebrated by Bishop González. About 400 people

from both sides of the border attended.

“We asked for all the necessary permits,” said

Bishop González. “The only thing that separated us

was this wall, but the altars were attached to each

other. The rst part of the liturgy of the word was

in Spanish, and one of the readings on the Mexican

side was read in English. The Eucharistic bread was

distributed to the faithful on both sides.”

Bishop Nogales emphasized in his homily that the

border corridor is crossed by many migrants, who

must be seen not as a threat or problem, but as

an opportunity, “because everyone, as a child of

God, has a personal story,” he said. In the United

States, he concluded, the Church is sustained by

the faith of Hispanics, not only Mexicans but of the

Latin American people, who have built history with

the cultural background they bring.

AMERICA/UNITED STATES

Birth of the “Catholic-Muslim National

Dialogue”Washington (Agenzia Fides) - Archbishop Blase J.

Cupich of Chicago will be the rst co-president of

a new Catholic interfaith forum of meetings called

“Catholic-Muslim National Dialogue,” organized by the

Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of

the US episcopal Conference (USCCB).

The Commission has been sponsoring Catholic-Muslim

dialogue sessions at a regional level for over two

decades. Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski of Springeld, Mas-

sachusetts, president of the Commission, said that “now

is the right moment to start dialogue at a national

level.”

“While the fear of Islam in society increases, the

Catholic Church must help to guide dialogue and

goodwill,” said Bishop Rozanski. “Our dialogues have

had the objective of a greater understanding, mutual

respect and cooperation between Muslims and Catholics.

The members have established lasting ties of friendship

and a deep sense of condence. I am grateful to Arch -

bishop Cupich for representing our conference,” he said.

The current Catholic-Muslim dialogue sessions are held

at a regional level in areas such as the Mid-Atlantic

(in collaboration with the Islamic Circle of North Amer-

ica), Midwest (in collaboration with the Islamic Society

of North America) and the West Coast (collaboration

with the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California

and the Islamic Educational Center of Orange County).

Each meeting is co-chaired by a bishop and a Muslim

leader. These dialogues will continue in coordination

with the new national dialogue.

ASIA/INDONESIA

Young people of different religions

together invoke harmony and peace

Semarang (Agenza Fides) – Get to know each other,

share experiences, pray together and invoke har-

mony and peace in Indonesia: with this spirit young

people of all religious communities came together in

recent days at High School in Kopeng, Salatiga, near

Semarang, in central Java, according to a program

called “Pondok Damai” (“House of peace”) which

brings together students from all backgrounds, cul-

ture and faiths to share and compare their personal

religious experiences.

The meeting was attended by young Catholics, Prot-

estants, Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims, excited to

learn about the traditions of other religions. Pondok

Damai is a program which started in Semarang

in 2007 by Protestant Pastor Rev. Rony Chandra

Kristantoro who collaborates with the Institute of

Social and Religious Studies to create inter-religious

activities followed by young people of various reli-

gions. So far “Pondok Damai” has been organized in

various cities and towns in the Central Java region.

Lukas Awi Tristanto, member of the Commission for

Inter-religious dialogue and Ecumenical Affairs of the

Archdiocese of Semarang, appreciating the initiative

remarked: “Dialogue is a way of coexistence and

a style of relationship between people of differentreligions. Therefore I hope that young people not

only continue to meet in such initiatives, but also

make a further step forward, through dialogue and

joining their energies for peace, justice and freedom.”

Pope Francis prays at a cross on the bor-

der with El Paso, Texas, before celebrat-

ing Mass at the fairgrounds in Ciudad

Juarez, Mexico, Feb. 17. (CNS/Paul Haring)

Archbishop Blase J. Cupich of Chicago Xaverians in Indonesia


11/12


News from our USA Communities

News from our USA Communities

XAVIER KNOLLFRANKLIN WISAVE THE DATE: FRANKLINMISSION FESTIVAL

On Saturday and Sunday June 25, 26, 2016 get

set for lots of family fun with the Xaverians at

Franklin Knoll. Enjoy games, prizes, food, a giant

rummage sale all weekend, as well as the Outdoor

Mass at 10:30 on Sunday morning. Mark your

calendars!

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION TO THE MIS-

SIONARY PRIESTHOOD (January 22, 1966) of FR.

ANTHONY B. LALLI, SX, FR. DOMINIC CALDOGNETTO,

SX, IVAN MARCHESIAN SX and GRAZIANO ROSSATO

SX

JOIN US on JUNE 4, 2016 for a celebration at St.

Charles Borromeo Parish in Milwaukee WI at 1 PM.

Praesidium Accreditation™ publicly demonstrates that the Congregation of

the Xaverian Missionaries has achieved the highest industry standards in

abuse prevention and response.

Photos of the 2015 Mission Festival

FATIMA SHRINEHOLLISTON MAYEAR OF MERCY, FATIMA DAYS

Monthly gatherings in celebration of the Jubilee of

Mercy continue:

MAY 1: Trappists on Prayer (Clean of Heart

JUNE 12: Pax Christi Massachusett s (Blessed are

the Peacemakers)

Future gatherings will take place in September,

October and November. They will be covered in

the next XMN.

FATIMA DAYS 2016

MAY 13: “God’s forgiveness of sinful humanity” led

by Fr. Adolph

JUNE 13: “Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’sMercy” led by Fr. Tonino

JULY 13: “Mary and Mercy in tumultuous times”

led by Fr. Rocco

AUGUST 13: “Mary and Mercy in the teachings of

St. Guido M. Conforti” led by Fr. Tony

September and October will be covered in the

next XMN

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION TO THE MIS-

SIONARY PRIESTHOOD (January 22, 1966) of FR.

ANTHONY B. LALLI, SX, FR. DOMINIC CALDOGNETTO,

SX, IVAN MARCHESIAN SX and GRAZIANO ROSSATOSX

JOIN US on MAY 21, 2016 at the Shrine for a

Mass of Thanksgiving at 4:00 PM followed by a

reception.

PROVINCIAL HOUSEWAYNE NJMEET-UPS CONTINUE

Conversations Among Humanists, Atheists and

Religious Believers is a joint program of the Xave-rian Missionaries of the USA and United Kingdom

which seeks dialogue among atheists and religious

believers. Our meetings are wonderfully rich, with

a diverse group of atheists and theists. Our con-

versation is on doing good, with or without God.

How can religious people, atheists and humanists

nd ways to bring good into the world together?

Meet-Ups take place on the last Sunday of the

month. Our next one will be May 29, 2016 at

3 PM at the Provincial House, 12 Helene Court,

Wayne, NJ

If you are interested in joining us, register athttp://www.meetup.com/Conversations-Among-

Humanists-and-Religious-Believers /

[email protected]

http://www.meetup.com/Conversations-Among-Humanists-and-Religious-Believershttp://www.meetup.com/Conversations-Among-Humanists-and-Religious-Believershttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_7/[email protected]://www.xaverianmissionaries.org/http://www.xaverianmissionaries.org/http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_7/[email protected]://www.meetup.com/Conversations-Among-Humanists-and-Religious-Believershttp://www.meetup.com/Conversations-Among-Humanists-and-Religious-Believers


12/12

Xaverian Mission Newsletter • May 2016

N o n - P r o f t O r g .

U . S . P o s t a g e

P A I D P e r m i t # 1 1 4 1

W a y n e , N J 0 7 4 7 0

q

Xaverian Missionaries Serve In:

Bangladesh • Brazil • Burundi • Cameroon • Chad • Colombia • Democratic Republic of Congo • France

Indonesia • Italy • Japan • Mexico • Mozambique • Philippines • Sierra Leone • Spain • Taiwan • Thailand • UK • USA

X A V E R I A N M I S S I O N A R I E S

1 2 H e l e n e C o u r t

W a y n e , N J 0 7 4 7 0 - 2 8 1 3

[email protected]

www.xaverianmissionaries.org
http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_7/[email protected]://www.xaverianmissionaries.org/http://www.xaverianmissionaries.org/http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_7/[email protected]

Date post:	06-Jul-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	xaverian-missionaries-usa
View:	215 times
Download:	0 times

May 2016 Xaverian Missionaries Newsletter

Documents