“Make of the world one family”

NewsletterVolume 62 - No. 1 | February 2014

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

Holy Father’s Apostolic Exhortation ...........2

From a “Place of Hope” ............................3

The Heart of Our Charism .........................4

Tribute to Fr. Gerry Furlan ........................5

The Dream of St. M. Guido ........................8

Mother Bottego on Path to Sainthood .........9

World & US Province News .......................10

Believe it or Not! We Have the World in Common....................6-7

Humanists John Catt (left) and Rory Fenton (right) enjoy a lively conversation with Dr. Salah Beltagu of the Muslim Council of Scotland at the Xaverian Common Ground Conference. photo by Fr. Carl Chudy SX

Xaverian Mission

2 Xaverian Mission Newsletter • February 2014

Evangelii Gaudium

Excerpt from the APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION EVANGELII GAUDIUM OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS TO THE BISHOPS, CLERGY, CONSECRATED PERSONS AND THE LAY FAITHFUL ON THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL IN TODAY’S WORLD

The Joy of the Gospel

T he joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneli-ness. With Christ joy is constantly born anew. In this Exhortation I wish to encour-

age the Christian faithful to embark upon a new chapter of evangelization marked by this joy, while pointing out new paths for the Church’s journey in years to come.

120. In virtue of their baptism, all the members of the People of God have become missionary disciples (cf. Mt 28:19). All the baptized, whatever their position in the Church or their level of instruction in the faith, are agents of evangelization, and it would be insufficient to envisage a plan of evangelization to be carried out by pro-fessionals while the rest of the faithful would simply be passive recipients. The new evangelization calls for personal involvement on the part of each of the bap-tized. Every Christian is challenged, here and now, to be actively engaged in evan-gelization; indeed, anyone who has truly experienced God’s saving love does not need much time or lengthy training to go out and proclaim that love. Every Christian is a missionary to the extent that he or she has encountered the love of God in Christ Jesus: we no longer say that we are “disciples” and “missionaries”, but rather that we are always “missionary disciples”. If we are not convinced, let us look at those first disciples, who, immediately after encountering the gaze of Jesus, went forth to proclaim him joyfully: “We have found the Messiah!” (Jn 1:41). The Samaritan woman became a missionary immediately after speaking with Jesus and many Samaritans come to believe in him “because of the woman’s testimony” (Jn 4:39). So too, Saint Paul, after his encounter with Jesus Christ, “immediately proclaimed Jesus” (Acts 9:20; cf. 22:6-21). So what are we waiting for?

Help to “proclaim Jesus” with the XaveriansContact:

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

Or visit: www.xaviermissionaries.org for online donations

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Xaverian MissionariesProvincial Headquarters12 Helene CourtWayne, NJ 07470-2813Tel.: (973) 942-2975Fax: (973) 942-5012Email: missionmedia@xaviermissionaries.org

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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:missionmedia@xaviermissionaries.orgWebsite: www.xaviermissionaries.orgSt. Guido site: www.guidoconforti.comMission blog: www.global-catholic.orgwww.facebook.com/catholicmissionarieswww.twitter.com/worldcatholic

Donation: $5.00 per year

What are we waiting for?

3Xaverian Mission Newsletter • February 2014

Xaverian Missionaries in the World

From ASHARBARI (“Place of Hope”) BANGLADESH

F rankly we are going through a bad time in Bangladesh with a policy that is sending this poor country to ruin. Irreconcilable clashes marked elections and cause “chain strikes.” That means everything is locked: roads, railways,

rivers…everything. If there is an emergency or fire, nothing can move. A 35 year old mother and her 5 year old daughter died as a result of a bomb thrown into the vehicle in which she was traveling to an emergency. Absolutely everything is pro-hibited: all domestic and foreign trade as well. So far the only exception day is Friday, the Muslim Sabbath.

After losing a week to the strikes on Friday I could finally drive the car to go to Khulna with Bissojit with his dad. Do you remember him? He is the child for whom I had made the steel crutch for his crooked leg. He also suffers from an atrophied lung. (The original story was in the Feb. 2013 issue of XMN.) Italian doctors had first refused to operate on him because the risk was too high for anesthesia. This year however, there is new hope for surgery so we set out for Khulna.

We left at dawn. We had only driven 1.2 km and boom! There was an accident with the car. I thought that the steering belt had broken. I tried to fix it but unfortunately the belt was torn to shreds and the entire mechanism was shattered. Many times I told the mechanics that those straps were too tight! Nothing could be done, they said,

“because the power steering requires it.” And so now instead of a car, we have scrambled parts!

We looked for a taxi. Usually there are many but not one was avail-able. After so many days of the strike, they were all occupied or were booked for weddings. Finally, from a nearby village we found a dilapi-dated cab but it could not accommodate Bissojit’s wheelchair.

We arrived in Khulna. The doctors were working and obviously there was a deluge of handicapped people waiting. The Doctors came out to see me. They saw Bissojit and put their hands on his head. The birth defects in his lungs would not allow any of the three types of anesthe-sia to be used. Even a slight complication could be fatal. We can only have patience. If nothing else, Bissojit will continue to enjoy the wheelchair. He does go like crazy in it! He also enjoys my crutches with the steel “paws.” I would love to invent sandals for him because his feet are not crooked but “beautiful flowers with incredible petals.” (But these flowers will not fit any shoe!)

My other disabled people make slow progress. When I treat them I think of the words of Pope Francis: “When you touch the sick, you touch Jesus.” What a blessing that my every day is Christmas! ...But for now I am in Khulna, blocked again by the new series of strikes until next Friday.

Fr. Gabriel Spiga SX

Xaverian Mission Newsletter • February 20144

The Heart of Our Charism

Xaverian Missionaries in the World

I t is a great joy for us to share with you something about our mission-ary presence in Thailand: our impressions on our first steps in this new mission for our Congregation. At present, our community is formed by four Xaverians: Fr. Matia, Fr. Thierry, Fr. Alessandro and Fr.

Thiago. The first two arrived here in January 2012 and the other two joined them in December of the same year. This initial period is a time for us, as for every mis-sionary, to study the language, to get acquainted with the culture, and especially to meet and relate to the people to whom we were sent. We are trying to do this by lis-tening to priests, religious and lay people who have been working here for many years and also by establishing daily relationships with people around us.

For the moment, we are living in a city called Nonthaburi in the prov-ince of Bangkok. The house where we are living is located in the ter-ritory of the parish of the Pime Fathers. The parish is well organized with many pastoral and social activities. We collaborate with them by celebrating an English Mass every Sunday for the English community and also by attending the initiatives of the parish. The Xaverian Sisters, who have two communities in Thailand – one in the diocese of

Chiang Mai and the other in the diocese of Bangkok, are working in this same parish. We join them for the work in the slums and in other activities. The presence of the Pime Fathers and the Xaverians Sisters has been a great help for us at the beginning of our work in Thailand .

Even though we are living in Nonthaburi, our missionary work is going to start in the diocese of Nakhon Sawan which is situated in the Northern part of Thailand. We have already had the possibility to visit this diocese a few times. Fr. Thierry and Fr. Matia even spent a whole month there in order to know better the local Church and the possible fields for our mis-sionary work. Among the many opportunities we have: first evangelization, pastoral care of the migrants, ministry with ethnic groups, pastoral care in the villages, inter-religious dialogue and formation of the Christian com-munities.

While we are still reflecting and discerning about the place and the field which better correspond to our charism and strength, we thank the Lord for giving us and our Congregation this opportunity to go back to the

heart of our charism: the proclamation of Jesus Good News which unites us in one big family.

Fr. Thiago SX

From Left: Frs. Thiago, Matia, Alessandro and Thierry

...the proclamation of

Jesus Good News which

unites us in one big

family

From the beginning of Advent we visited families who live in the territory of the parish bringing the statue of the baby Jesus and announcing the Good News of God who is with us, blessing our lives, enlightening our days, strengthening our steps and rekindling in us the meaning of our existence. The celebration of Christmas in our parish was very beautiful, but most of all, for me, it was a reminder of the true essence of Christmas: The message of the angel to the shepherds, “Today, for you, a Savior has been born,” continues echoing for each one of us in our today. In this way our daily life is no longer the same, but it is “pregnant” with God’s presence

Xaverian Mission Newsletter • February 2014 5

Xaverian Missionaries in the USA

A Man of Serenity, Peace and Compassion

IN LOVING MEMORY OF FR. GERARD G. FURLAN, SX(MAY 22, 1931 – DECEMBER 11, 2013)

Fr. Gerry is pic-tured with Fr.

Larry Crosara SX and in the B&W photos in the missions in

which he served.

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the one who brings good news, announcing peace, bearing good news announcing salvation.” (Isaiah 52:7)

These words describe missionaries who respond to a call to travel long distances far from home. Fr. Gerry was such a man. We know of his journey to foreign lands and back to the US. We at Bethany are filled with gratitude for the wonderful ways he brought peace, good news and salvation to us. He did not travel over mountains to get here, but he climbed mountains of stairs and walked long corridors, to and from residents’ rooms; always to bring peace to them through prayers, reconciliation and anointing. Fr. Gerry came to the chapel an hour before Mass to give the sacraments to anyone in need. He would sit in the vestry praying the rosary for the sisters’ intentions. During Lent and Advent he made individual visits to every resident to offer the sacraments to them or give a blessing. He left them with peace and joy and the assurance that they were loved by God. Fr. Gerry was an extraordinary missionary to each of us. Through words and actions he taught us the primacy of God in our lives.

Thank you, God. Thank you Xaverian Missionaries for the gift of Fr. Gerry. He won the hearts of all here at Bethany. He was so faithful to us. He will be sorely missed but will be remembered with gratitude and joy by the many people who knew him.

~The Sisters of St. Joseph at Bethany – Framingham, MA

His smile was his calling card...

Unexpectedly and without warning, our dear Fr. Gerard G. Furlan (affectionately called Fr. Jerry or Gerry) entered Eternal Life on Wednesday December 11, 2013 at age 82. In a small community like ours, the sudden passing away of a confrere leaves behind a

void and a sadness which are not easily overcome.

“He is like a tree planted near streams of running water, that yields its fruit in due season; its leaves never wither; whatever he does prospers.”(Psalm 1:3)

“Come good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Mt 25:21)

Like a tree planted near running water Fr. Gerry bloomed where he was planted; wherever mission called him: the USA, Indonesia, Sierra Leone. These places reveal the years, dedica-tion, energy and sacrifices Fr. Gerry lived in the service of the Gospel. He sowed the seed of the Word of God through the example of a joyful, serene, generous, and purpose-driven life. He was a humble servant of the Lord, a man of peace and compassion working behind the scenes, contributing to the life of the Xaverian family.

He touched the lives of many people. This was evident by crowds attending his funeral ser-vices and in the words of sympathy expressed. Those in attendance: Auxiliary Bishop Walter Edyvean of Boston, West Region, the many concelebrants, the religious sisters and brothers, the many friends and benefactors of our Xaverian community, presented with gratitude, our dear Fr. Gerry to the Lord, aware that the words of Matthew had a profound and personal meaning. Whether here or in the Missions Fr. Gerry has always been a “faithful servant” of the Gospel. We know how important and vital his contribution was for the life of the community. We will miss his gener-ous availability and faithful presence, his practical skills in the kitchen and garden. We will miss his “Indonesian Hail Mary” at the end of each Fatima Day; his hot chocolate during the Christmas Lights; his creativity for all the League activities.

Wherever mission and obedience called him, he always left behind a unique and special legacy. His smile was his calling card. His availability was his way of being open to the will of God. His generosity with time and talents was his way of reminding us that all gifts received are to be shared and place at the service of others

Fr. Joe Matteucig SX

In his recently published Apostolic Exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis speaks of evangelization in a world that is pluralistic and diverse, and the dialogue that with which the church must be engaged: our relationship with states

and societies; culture and the sciences, and with those of other religious beliefs and even non-belief. Our dialogue with secularists and humanists is defined by the Pope in this way: “As believers, we also feel close to those who do not consider themselves part of any religious tradition, yet sincerely seek the truth, goodness and beauty which we believe have their highest expression and source in God. We consider them as precious allies in the commitment to defending human dignity, in building peaceful coexistence between peoples and in protecting creation.”

The Xaverian Missionaries of the USA and the United Kingdom joined together with a dream project in mind: creating a safe space where religious believers and human-ists could come together in friendship, dialogue respectfully with each other, listen and share in order to find some common ground and solidar-ity. A conference entitled Common Ground: A Conversation Among Humanists and Religious Believers on Values and Ethics was held at the Xaverian Missionaries Conforti Institute in Coatbridge Scotland last November. We hoped it would be an opportunity for participants to bring this spirit of dialogue back to their own organizations and/or places of worship in order to find ways to do good together. We hoped that people of all faiths and convictions could find com-mon ground cherishing the values of justice,

compassion, reconciliation and more. Going even further, the hope of this dialogue project was indeed to expose our need for each other, and our

responsibility to each other. Perhaps too, our own convictions and beliefs could be enriched and deep-ened, with an expanded view of humanity and the good we are called to do.

Each of the talks of our esteemed speakers from the UK and the US centered on why they thought

we need to be having these kinds of discussions. This conviction was echoed in the dialogues of the participants throughout the weekend. Many felt it important to assuage the problems of misunderstanding that exist between us. Humanists and religionists use different languages to talk about the same things. We all have some universal concerns for the quality of life of

humanity and the planet we all inhabit together but we are still

convincing ourselves that we are all allies in these concerns. This dialogue should allow us to learn how to speak a new language together about the deep human solidarity that all of our convictions are propelling us toward.

Humanists were concerned about the overall religious influence in public policy that affects the lives of non-religious people. Catholics and humanists agree that there needs to be a separation of religious beliefs from politics, but this does not mean that religious faith has no place in the public sphere. Religious believers must come to terms with the positive values of secularity and where we can find that delicate balance of honoring our pluralistic society and the freedom that both religious and humanists enjoy in a free democratic society. Both religious and non-religious voices need to be heard and heeded.

Our conference has spurred further reflection and discussions and more opportunities for dialogue.

There are agreements for more of these collaborative exchanges between the

Xaverian Missionaries of the UK through our Conforti Institute and the Interfaith Council of Scotland. Our Common Ground Twitter feed (https://twitter.

com/secreldialogue) is alive with discussions on how humanists and religious participants are trying to keep the “conversation” going through their own organizations. Those following our Common Ground blog (http://religious-secular-dialogue.

blogspot.com/) allow us to share conference and post conference reflections for a wider audience. We

hope to have an E-Journal published by the end of February 2014 on the conference

and its findings. In addition, the US Xaverian Missionaries hope to hold a similar dialogue gathering

in collaboration with the American Humanist Association and their local affiliations, as well as the broad spectrum of

religious traditions that make our country so rich culturally.

The purpose of this dialogue is not persuasion or conversion. Rather, it is an exercise in love and respect in order to create mutual understanding as a means toward collaborative service to our local communities and the world at large. Dialogue is concerned first and foremost for the search of common ground by which humanists and religious believers can act with justice and compassion in a world often torn by indifference, xenophobia and intolerance. It leads us to understand that amidst all of our differences we have important common convictions. This common ground is the basis by which we renew and strengthen the solidarity of humanity.

Fr. Carl Chudy SX

Whether attending keynote addresses, engaging in one-to-one conversations or issue based workshops, the dialogue was respectful and responsive.

The conference was brought to the Scottish Parliament to symbolically and concretely bring the dialogue to the wider community.

8 Xaverian Mission Newsletter • February 2014

The Global Mission Spirituality of Saint Guido Conforti

The Dream of St. Guido M. Conforti By Fr. Tony Lalli SX (first of two parts)

“I have a dream….!” We are all familiar with the stirring speech of Dr. Martin Luther King given on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963. We all have our dreams. Guido M. Conforti had his dream which voiced his deeply felt desire

“To make of the world one single family.” In its pursuit he was unflinching and strong-willed. That dream has been alive since December 3, 1895, Feast of St. Francis Xavier, when the new religious congregation of the Xaverian Missionaries saw the light of day. This ‘opened up,’ in today’s parlance, the “global vision” of Guido Conforti as

“Bishop of Parma, but Missionary to the whole world,” as he was defined by Cardinal Giuseppe Roncalli, the future Pope John XXIII, Blessed, soon to be declared a Saint, at the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Bishop Guido’s death in 1957. Conforti’s dream lives, and it is still being pursued earnestly.

From June 16 to July 13, 2013, in Tavernerio, Italy, the Xaverian Missionaries held their “16th General Chapter,” an Assembly of 45 elected members of the Congregation, repre-senting 750 Xaverians coming from 17 nations and present in 20. Fr. Carl Chudy SX and Fr. Joe Matteucig SX represented the USA Province. The main document, issued by the Chapter, “First Proclamation: a New Beginning for the Mission,” re-focuses Conforti’s dream and expresses today’s sensibility of the Congregation as it faces the complex context of today’s world. This moment offers to the Xaverian Missionaries the opportu-nity to return to the origins of their ‘charism’, given the ‘re-discovery,’ as it were, of the spirituality of their Founder who was declared a saint by Pope Benedict XVI, in Rome, two years ago, on Mission Sunday, October 23, 2011. Many Xaverians and their friends the world over were present at that momentous occasion. They were able to make their own again what is specifically Xaverian, and that is to participate in the sole mission of the Church, giving privilege to the ‘first proclamation of the Gospel to non-Christians.’ This charism is expressed with three short Latin phrases: ad gentes (for the non-Chris-tians); ad extra (outside one’s country or one’s culture); ad vitam (for one’s whole life).

Conforti, of course, was a man of his time, when the mission revival going on in the Catholic Church was geared to ‘mission countries,’ places in the world where Christian-ity had not made inroads yet or where the Church was still too young and needed ‘help’ from ‘veteran’ Christian communities. That still voices Conforti’s dream, and is the Xave-rian charism. But the world today differs immensely from the world of the first half of the 20th century. The means of travel, the speed of communications, and the movement of peoples, north-south, east-west, have been astounding, creating the ‘global village’ we know today.

The world and the Church have so changed that we are faced with the reality and chal-lenge of diminishing ‘areas typically missionary,’ and Xaverians ask themselves: Where

do we fit with our charism in this ‘global village’? In many instances, too, the ‘old’ world has itself become ‘place of mission,’ given the social and cultural transformations, the massive

migrations, the secularization and diversification of our ‘western’ culture. The world has become smaller and much more complex. Internally, the Xaverian family is becoming ‘younger’ in terms of non-western members, while ebbing is the strength and the stamina of the ‘older’ members. This is even more evident in the USA Province, where the membership has considerably diminished in numbers and grown in age.

How do we live and share the legacy of St. Guido Conforti in this USA Church? Our answer is: “We are still a ‘community in-mission,’ called to re-commit ourselves to explicitly proclaim the Gospel in whatever situation, environment and service to which we are called. Our unique and distinctive missionary approach must inspire and sustain us in all our ministries, relationships and actions. We will be thus ‘the leaven in the Local Church’ in its missionary task; mutually empowering and fostering collaboration among all those in-mission; striving always to be signs and instruments of God’s Reign, witnessing to the Good News....(continued in May XMN)

Photos edited in PhotoFunia

Xaverian Mission Newsletter • February 2014 9

...and Mother Celestina Bottego

“May Your Love Be Your Habit!”POPE MOVES U.S. BORN SISTER TOWARD BEATIFICATION

Mother Celestina Bottego was born on December 20, 1895 in Glendale, Ohio, of an Irish mother, Mary Healy, and an Italian father, Giambattista Bottego. Giambattista’s brother Vittorio was a famous explorer of Africa. After his brother’s untimely death Giambattista

returned to his family home in Parma,Italy with his wife and children to be close to his elderly parents.

This is how Celestina came to Italy at the age of 15 after her childhood in America. She became an English teacher and taught for many years in public schools. Her students would later testify to her strong talent as an educator. For young people who spent too much time in the streets, Celestina opened a room in her house, fitting it out with board games and books to create a meeting point for the young to whom she also taught catechism.

With her sister Maria, Celestina refined her spiritual sensitivity under the guid-ance of the Benedictine abbot Emanuele Caronti. She became a Benedictine Oblate in 1922. Her commitment to the poor and the needy, especially with the outbreak of the Second World War, became more intense and heartfelt. Her rela-tionship with God deepened.

At the age of 50, a vocation within a vocation stirred in Celestina. In 1935 she had already begun teaching in the schools of the Xaverian Missionaries. The following year she visited India for a few months to see her sister Maria who was living there as a missionary. The prospect of mission was beginning to open up to her. In a short time she received the offer to cooperate on the foundation of the female branch of the Xaverian Missionaries from Fr. James Spagnolo SX. Initially Celestina refused, with the humble reflection: “I am better at ruining the works of God than at doing them.” After a year of interior struggle and prayer she accepted the offer which she had recognized as the will of God. The Xaverian Missionary Sisters of Mary were established in Parma, Italy, in 1945. The seeds of this foundation can be found in the prophetic insights of St. Guido. “In the Xaverian Congregation I would like to start a Community of Sisters, for I consider it of great importance.” (Conforti, 1927).

This is how Celestina became the first “mother” to many young missionaries, to whom she fully gave herself with her spiritual and material assets. In 1966, with great generosity she stood aside, hoping that a “younger” mother would take her place but without stopping to encourage, welcome, counsel and love all her missionary daughters. She died on August 20, 1980 at the age of 85. She has been declared a ‘Servant of God,’ as the diocesan process carried out on her virtues has been concluded.

The Missionary Sisters draw inspiration from Mary, in the mystery of the Visitation. Like Mary they travel the world, that all people will know the love of God. Today, the Xaverian Missionaries of Mary are present in Italy, Brazil, Mexico, United States, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Japan and Thailand. They are engaged in evangelization, catechesis, health care, and human rights (especially of women). They live in small mission communities, often in areas of great poverty. They strive to respond to deep-rooted aspirations of the local churches and peo-ple among whom they live, and whose journey, suffer-ings, hopes and expectations they share.

“May your love be your habit,” was the invitation of Fr. Spagnolo. Their small international communities provide a visible sign of one family which God loves and calls to salvation

Fr. Carl Chudy SX

On October 31, 2013, Pope Francis recognized the heroic virtues of the US-born woman Celestina Healy Bottego, declaring her “Venerable” and bringing her an

important step closer to canonization.

PrayerAlmighty and merciful God, you placed in the heartof Mother Celestina Bottego the burning desire that

your kingdom be extended to the ends of the earth.You enable her to give her all for the birth of

a missionary family.We ask you to glorify her on earth,

and through her intercession,to grant us the grace we seek in faith.

Father, May Your Kingdom Come Soon Through Mary!

10 Xaverian Mission Newsletter • February 201410

World Mission News Digest

World Mission News Digest

AMERICA/UNITED STATESArchbishop Gomez looks for support among those who do not agree on the immigration reform

Los Angeles (Agenzia Fides) - Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, known for his efforts in favor of immigrants and support for the immigration reform submitted his proposals to leaders of civil society that are opposed to the reform of the law, at the Town Hall in Los Angeles. He referred to the many speeches by Pope Francis in favor of immigrants. For each question from those present, the Archbishop responded with clarity, honesty, and in a decisive manner. “The questions helped us to understand that this is a very complex issue and we must find a solution”, said Archbishop Gomez without losing optimism despite the harsh criticism.

Manuel Pastor, professor at the University del Sur of California, said: “Those who today oppose immigration reform are not aware of the benefits the approval of the law would bring to the country. There is a positive impact of immigrants on the economy of California…”

At the end of June 2013, the Senate approved the law which provides citizenship for undocumented immigrants who arrived in the United States before December 31, 2011 and who have no criminal record. However, due to a Republican standoff in the House of Representatives a date for its discussion and vote has not yet been set.

ASIA/BANGLADESHPost- election violence:

“Christians are not being targeted,” says the Archbishop of Dhaka

Dhaka (Agenzia Fides ) - “We con-demn all forms of violence against Christians and not just across the country. Today it must be said that, despite some negative episodes, Christians are not being targeted by Islamic radicals,” said Archbishop Patrick D’ Rozario of Dhaka, com-

menting on the news regarding the cases of violence after the elections on January 5. A group of Islamic fanatics attacked a Catholic community of ethnic gari in Jamalpur district, in the area of Dhaka, injuring eight people, three of them are hospitalized. Among them, the elder brother of Bishop Paolo Ponen Kubi of Mymensigh. More violence occurred in a parish in the district of Sherpur, Dhaka, where five worshipers were injured.

Before the elections, some Islamist groups had threatened Catholics

and Hindus of reprisals if they went to the polls, “but we do not know with certainty the causes of the attacks,” explained the Archbishop. “After the elections, there have been isolated incidents against Christians, but now the situation seems to have calmed down. I spoke to the bishop, whose brother was wounded. It is not clear what is behind the attacks. They can also be reasons related to the possession of land or other disputes and ethnic con-flicts”.

“As a minority in a Muslim country we have a role and a contribu-tion to offer. Yesterday a lay Catholic elected in Parliament, Promod Mankin, was appointed Minister of Welfare. We believe it is a good sign, we hope that it can work not only for the good of the Christian community but for the common good of the entire country, with a special eye for the development of the poorest. Mankin is a devout and honest person: we encourage him. I will meet him in the next few days and we will discuss the situation concerning the country.”

ASIA/THAILANDTensions and protests in Bangkok, the Church:

“May the outcome be peaceful.”

Bangkok (Agenzia Fides) - With regards to the tensions and anti-government protests being carried out in the capital of Bangkok, with a strong impact on social and civic life, “the only important thing is: that the outcome is peaceful. We hope and pray that the demonstrations do not lead to violence,” said Fr. Surasit Chumsriphan, pastor of the Cathedral of the Assumption in the Thai capital. Bangkok has been paralyzed by protesters trying to force the government to resign and to postpone the elections.

Fr. Chumsriphan explained, “The country lives in uncertainty. We do not know what will happen in coming weeks. Both parties have some reason in their claims. In any case, we hope for peaceful dialogue, based on dialectic and democratic dynamics. A fact all Thai citizens agree on is: the urgent need to initiate an era of social, civil and economic reforms for the country”.

Juanita Madrigal, a Mexican Xaverian Missionary Sister, in Thailand.

Catholics in Bangladesh at dedication of new church

Xaverian Mission Newsletter • February 2014 11

From our USA Communities

News from our USA Communities

FRANKLIN FESTIVITIESIn our last annual banquet, “a dinner with the Fathers” was one of the items for the auction. It sold at $1,350.00! On Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014, Jane and David Black, the winners of this item, came to the House to get the prize! The dinner was prepared by Lisa Ryan, Kellly McQuestion and Jim Schutte. It was great as you can see.

Sr. Domenica celebrated her 99th birthday on January 8, 2014. She belongs to the Sisters of Charity of St. Joan Antida, who have been working in the Parish of Saint Charles Borromeo Parish for over 50 years. The Xaverians have been cooperating with them for many, many years! ~Fr. Aniello Salicone SX

WAYNE WELCOMES FR. MICHAEL DAVITTI SXFr. Michael Davitti, Xaverian Missionary who has been working in the Philippines for the last several years will be joining our USA Province in the near future. Fr. Michael has spent many years working in Sierra Leone, West Africa and then in the USA as pastor of St. Therese Parish, Chinatown, Chicago. He will be residing in our Provincial House in Wayne, NJ and beginning a Provincial interfaith dialogue project. Please pray for him as he prepares to begin a new assignment with us. ~Fr. Carl Chudy SX

A TRIBUTE TO THE WEST ESSEX LEAGUEMembers of the parish Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Roseland, NJ first learned about the Xaverian Missionaries from Fr. Bruno Orru SX, who assisted at the parish from approximately 1971 to 1976. He was very active in parish activities: He was Choir Director and participated in musicals put on the by the church. He touched the hearts of many of the parishioners and was well-loved.

His passion for the Mission inspired members of the parish. A group of women in particular were moved to organize the West Essex Xaverian Mission League in 1975. Their goal was to raise funds to support the work of Missionaries abroad. Anne Petrarca, Helen Shapanus, and Nina Neglia were the first officers of the group.

In 1976, Fr. Bruno and several Xaverian Missionaries received their mission crosses and began their service in the field. Fr. Bruno traveled to Indonesia to begin what would be over 35 years of service. Throughout his service, he kept in close contact with the West Essex Xaverian Mission League, first by “snail mail,” and in more recent years with the miracle of the internet, via email. The League prospered for 38 years, had 7 presidents, and raised tens of thousands of dollars for the missions. Fund raisers included Tricky Trays, Pasta Dinners, High Teas, Bake Sales, Grocery Bingos, Dances, Bowling Nights, and Lotteries. All through the fund-raising, the League also cultivated Mission Awareness and prayed for all those serving in the field and the people to whom they ministered. ~ Anne Petrarca (president) Nancy Romanyshyn (co-president)

David and Jane Black with friends

Sr. Domenica with Frs.. Larry (rt) and Dominic.

Fr. Michael Davitti baptizing in the Philippines.The presence and the activities carried out by the West Essex Xaverian League over 38

long years of association with the Xaverian Missionaries are beyond words. The commit-ment, the enthusiasm, the dedication they showed proved them to be true ‘partners-in-mission.’ We are forever grateful to the whole group, the “Mission Ladies” who are still here with us and those whom the Lord has already called home. A special “Thank You” to the Leadership in their succession during all these long years especially to the current president Ms. Anne Petrarca and co-president Ms. Nancy Romanyshyn. May the Lord Jesus, the Missionary of the Father bless and reward all of them abundantly.

~Fr. Frank Grappoli SX

The West Essex League

Xaverian Mission Newsletter • February 2014Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit #52

Wayne, NJ 07470

Return Service RequestedXaverian Missionaries Serve In:

Bangladesh • Brazil • Burundi • Cameroon • Chad • Colombia • Democratic Republic of Congo • FranceIndonesia • Italy • Japan • Mexico • Mozambique • Philippines • Sierra Leone • Spain • Taiwan • Thailand • UK • USA

Xaverian Missionaries

12 Helene CourtWayne, NJ 07470-2813

In The Joy of the Gospel Pope Francis states: “The Samaritan woman became a missionary immediately after speaking with Jesus and many Samaritans come to believe in him ‘because of the woman’s testimony’ (Jn 4:39).

So too, Saint Paul, after his encounter with Jesus Christ, ‘immediately proclaimed Jesus’ (Acts 9:20; cf. 22:6-21). So what are we waiting for?”

thegym@xaviermissionaries.org508-429-2144

What are YOU waiting for?

Contact:Fr. Rocco Puopolo at

TheGYMfor information on

becoming a Xaverian Missionary!