MISSION Magazine Winter 2024

A MAGAZINE OF
THE PONTIFICAL MISSION
SOCIETIES
WINTER 2023
BEING
BEACONS
OF HOPE

One day in 1843, Bishop Charles de Forbin-Janson talked with Pauline Jaricot, foundress of the
Society for the Propagation of the Faith about his long-time dream of working with the poorest
of the world’s children in the Missions. She suggested that he appeal to the children of France
to help children around the world. And so, the Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) was
born. Today, MCA continues to follow the vision of Bishop Forbin-Janson – “children helping
children” – as children pray and sacrifice for their brothers and sisters in need around the world.
In the United States MCA has many initiatives, including the Mite Boxes: an initiative that aims
at helping children offer small gifts during the Advent season in favor of millions of children in
mission territories, where the Church is too young, too poor, or actively persecuted, and cannot
sustain itself.
follow us at @TPMS_USA

A letter from Monsignor Harrington,
2
our National Director
6
Society of St. Peter:
From petrifying fear to embracing a vocation
10
Propagation of the Faith:
A Beacon of Hope amidst Ethiopia’s Violence
13
society of St. Peter:
A Seminary as a Witness to the Universality
of the Church
16
The Missionary Union of Priests and Religious:
A Missionary’s Habit: Evangelizing at the
Heart of the Nordic Church
18
Propagation of the Faith:
Restoring a person’s freedom,
one wheelchair at a time
22
The Missionary Union of Priests and Religious:
A peace chaplain
25
Propagation of the Faith:
A tiny Church with a big heart welcomes
Pope Francis
29
From the Dioceses:
Aqua est vita
32
From the Dioceses:
It All Started with Mission Friendships
35
The Fulton Sheen Legacy Society
39
Editor’s Note: Being beacons of hope
The Pontifical Mission
Societies USA
PUBLISHER: REV. MSGR. KIERAN E.
HARRINGTON,
NATIONAL DIRECTOR
EDITOR: INÉS SAN MARTÍN
PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL
OFFICE OF
THE PONTIFICAL MISSION
SOCIETIES
IN COOPERATION WITH
DIOCESAN OFFICES IN THE
UNITED STATES
©THE SOCIETY FOR THE
PROPAGATION OF THE FAITH
MEMBER, CATHOLIC MEDIA
ASSOCIATION
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A letter from our
National Director
Many believe that Adam, upon his expulsion from the Garden of Eden, found
himself in what is now Ethiopia. All humanity traces our common lineage
to this sub-Saharan eastern region of Africa. In days gone by, the Ethiopian
emperors traced their lineage to the Queen of Sheba. To this day, an Orthodox
Christian priest assigned to St. Mary of Tsion keeps a watchful eye over the Ark
of the Lord’s covenant.
I spent time this October in this country, a land of contradictions. The
Ethiopian Orthodox Church dates to the 4th century, yet the presence of the
Catholic Church is less than a hundred years old. Addis Ababa, the capital city,
is modern, but the tall and shiny buildings mask the way that seminarians in
the city live without running water. The countryside is green and lush, yet the
country is amid a drought. The people are gentle and friendly, yet they have
just concluded a bloody civil war, and to this day, marauders roam the country.
The Apostolic Vicariate of Hosanna is about a seven-hour drive south of
Addis Ababa. Donkeys, women, and children are the nation’s beasts of burden;
water is transported on the backs of beasts and women. Wooden twigs are
balanced on the heads and backs of children. Mud huts litter the landscape yet
beside them spring up modern buildings. In the shallow streams that crisscross
the countryside, people, animals, and tuk-tuks (three-wheel motorbikes) bathe,
wash clothes, and draw water for drinking. There are very few paved roads
and even fewer bathroom facilities.
My host and driver was Bishop Seyoum Franso Noel. A slender man, he
is 53 years old and has served as a bishop for seven years. We arrived at his
home – parishes in the missions are typically compounds. Walls are essential
for security but also to demark property.
Slavery and indentured servitude are still very real in this part of Africa.
Many men “walk” to South Africa and attempt to sell small goods on the
streets or find work as day laborers. The women often find themselves in the
Middle East as domestic help or worse. On the compound was a home for
girls. Run by the sisters, this home serves girls who are vulnerable and at risk.

Not far in the city is a kindergarten (K-5) run by the Presentation sisters. The
school was orderly; the children had desks and books, and their eyes were
bright. Boys and girls were in school side by side, and they were anxious to
show off to their new American friend.
Parish life in Hosanna is challenging. My heart broke for the priests. The living
conditions were primitive. Like the people, the homes more often resembled
stables: often without running water. In some cases, the rats would feast on the
priest’s flesh. Typically, they may see over 5,000 people on a Sunday coming
for Holy Mass, and during the week, they would attend by motorcycle to more
than 20 outstations.
The greatest challenge that priests face, however, is the overwhelming needs
of the people – a sense of their inadequacy and isolation.
At one such parish, we visited a school for over a thousand children with
tattered clothes and no books or desks. Many of their fathers were killed in the
Civil War. The leadership of the school was doing their best, but with inadequate
resources. Just a few yards away was an orphanage for babies. Formerly, it was

a home for the developmentally disabled. On the outside, the structure was
solid if a bit run down. Nothing could prepare me for the desperation inside.
Sister Miriam and three women care for dozens of babies and infants. They
lack everything that we deem fundamental. Yet, they had an overabundance
of love, which was evident in the tenderness and patience with which they
cared for these babies. As we were about to leave, Sister Miriam’s face changed
and as she clung to my arm, desperately pleaded with me: “Monsignor, I need
milk. These children will die. I have no milk!”
My final night was in the Major Seminary in Addis Ababa. It was modest
but clean. The Seminarians greeted us at the door singing and filled with joy,
despite having waited many hours for our arrival. We immediately sat down
for dinner, and in the Ethiopian style, we all ate with our hands from the
same plate. Interestingly, it is not uncommon for them to feed one another: A
significant gesture in a country that is no stranger to famine.
Bishop Seyoum showed me to the bishop’s suite where I was to stay. A tiny
room, decorated with some small religious articles, a small desk, and a single
bed. He handed me a bottle of water and apologized: “Monsignor you will not
be able to take a shower tomorrow; our well is dry, and we have no water. I
am sorry.”

5
As I laid in bed that night, I couldn’t help but think that when Jesus comes
again, he will come to Ethiopia. From here Adam walked out of the muck
and was man. My hosts, at great personal cost, gave me everything they had
to make me feel welcome and comfortable. I couldn’t help but think Ethiopia
was a sort of purgatory. There is great suffering amid the indescribable beauty,
and it inspires our hope.
Monsignor Kieran Harrington

Society of St. Peter:
From petrifying fear to
embracing a vocation
By Deribe Belay*
I come from Ethiopia,
specifically from The
Apostolic Vicariate of Harar
which was erected on May
4th, 1846, by Pope Gregory
XVI. It covers three regional
states of Ethiopia, namely
Oromia, Harari, and Somali.
Most of the inhabitants of this
area are Muslims, but they
have different ties or relations
with Christians. For example,
where I was born and bred,
Ethiopia
With about 123 million people, Ethiopia is the
second most populous nation in Africa after
Nigeria. It is also one of the poorest, with a per
capita gross national income of $1,020.
Ethiopia declared the Catholic faith an official
religion in the fourth century. However, Catholics
are less than 1% of the total population.
Despite their small numbers, Catholics run as
much as 90% of the nation’s social programs.
we have Muslim neighbors who are very respectful towards Christians, and
even when we celebrate a feast related to our faith, they come to celebrate with
us and bring gifts. And we do the same in return when they have a feast.
In contrast, there are some Muslims in other parts of the country who want
to destroy Christians and Christianity, who want to kill others just because they
are Christian. And please know I am not narrating these things from hearsay,
but as an eyewitness.
* The author is a seminarian in Rome’s Urban VIII Seminary, where 166 men from Africa, Asia, Oceania,
and Latin America, are currently preparing for the priesthood thanks to scholarships provided to them by
the Society of St. Peter the Apostle. Following this article is an interview with his bishop, an Italian Capuchin
who was saying Mass at the church where Deribe was held captive.

7
I have seen with my own eyes Christians being killed just for the crime of
being Christians.
I have witnessed Christians being thrown out of their homes.
I have seen Christian families torn apart after the violent murder of their
children.
I have witnessed Christians being stoned to death as they were held captive
by a violent mob. I was, in fact, a Christian stoned- though not to death- simply
because I was at the wrong place, at the wrong time. I was at Mass.
How did my vocation come about?
I was born in a parish that had many outstations, one of which was mine. The
faithful of that parish were numerous, but they did not have the opportunity
to attend Mass every Sunday. If you were lucky, the priest would come once a
month. Most of us only saw a priest every other month.
Despite there not being a priest, I grew up going to church every Sunday.
Most of the time, with my mother. But even when she couldn’t go, I went.
Often, the church was closed, if it was not our Sunday. But back then, when
many didn’t have phones, we only knew the priest was coming when we saw
him arrive.
Seeing the church closed on Sundays was what first led me to want to become
a priest: I knew nothing of what it meant to be a priest. Yet I knew of the power
of an open parish, as well as the feeling
of joy I experienced whenever we did
have Mass.
Over time, I continued my studies
and abandoned the idea of becoming
a priest. When I was in primary school,
the Capuchins (Franciscans) came to
my parish, and living there, they built
a good relationship with the people.
Attracted by their witness, I began
seeing them as role models. When I
finished secondary school, they asked
me if I wanted to “come and see” what
it meant to be a priest.

8
I went and was inspired. I joined the major seminary in Addis Ababa, where
I studied philosophy for three years.
The novelty of the pastoral year
After finishing philosophy, I returned to the diocese, and our bishop,
Anthony Pagano OFM Cap, told me that I would do a year of pastoral work in
the parishes. Never having done this before, I saw it as a waste of time: some
of my high school friends had finished university and were working, while I
was being told to stop my studies for a year. Angered, I decided to leave the
seminary and find a job.
But my bishop didn’t give up on my vocation: he called me one day and
asked that I join him early the next morning on a pastoral visit to a new parish
that was being dedicated in the Somalia region of our diocese.
This was the day it all changed for me.
Hundreds were attending the dedication of the parish. It is customary in
Ethiopia for people to come from far and wide for an event like this. In the
assembly were women, children, and elderly men as well, who had come
for the feast from various parts of the country; the church wasn’t big enough
to fit everyone, so some of us followed the celebration from outside. As the
celebration proceeded with songs and praises to God for the gift of the new
church, roughly 50 young Muslim men came up to the parish armed with
guns, sticks, and stones, ready to kill us.
They first entered a neighboring Orthodox church: killing the priest and
burning the Church to the ground. They then came after us, killing some and
severely injuring others. I had never witnessed such cruelty: some were burned
alive, others had their eyes ripped out, and others still had their backs broken
and left paralyzed in the middle of the road.
Imagine the agitation, the pain, the crying that reigned over us at that
moment.
Seeing that many people lose their lives that day, simply because they were
attending Mass, made me realize that God had a plan for me. I swallowed my
pride, accepted my bishop’s call to spend a year working in the diocese, and
went back to my studies. I am in my last year, studying not in Addis Ababa but
in Rome, where thanks to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, I have a
scholarship to study at the Pontifical Urban University.

The road here has not been easy, and I know it won’t be easy once I am back
home. However, I know I am not doing this on my own: As the letter to the
Philippians says, “I can do all things in him who gives me strength.”
9

10
Propagation of the Faith:
A Beacon of Hope amidst
Ethiopia’s Violence
By Ines San Martin
Italian Bishop Anthony Pagano
OFM Cap, Apostolic Vicar of Harar,
in Ethiopia, never had the chance
to be a “young, green priest.” Days
after his ordination in 1988, he was
sent to Cameroon, where in a year, he
became the parish priest of the largest
Capuchin mission. Two years later,
he became the Superior of the order
in this country, and seven years after
that, he was sent to the Capuchin’s
mission in Ethiopia, a country marred
by ethnic conflicts and political unrest.
In 2016, Pope Francis appointed
him Apostolic Vicar of Harar.
Ethiopia, a nation with a storied
Christian heritage, has been gripped
by violence in recent years. The
northern Tigray region has seen a
cessation of large-scale conflict but
remains scarred by sporadic skirmishes that threaten the fragile peace. “The
situation in Ethiopia these days is not very pretty,” Bishop Anthony lamented,
reflecting on the ethnic strife that continues to disrupt lives.

11
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church, one of the oldest Christian institutions in
the world, finds itself in a delicate dance with the Muslim population, where
mutual disrespect has often escalated into violence. “There are those who
burn churches, and others who burn mosques, leading to a tragic loss of life,”
the prelate said, painting a picture of a country divided by faith yet united in
suffering.
Despite representing less than 1% of the population, the Catholic Church
plays a pivotal role in Ethiopia’s social fabric. “We are almost insignificant in
number, but we are one of the main charitable institutions in the country,”
Bishop Anthony asserts. His vicariate, home to 8 million people, is a beacon of
charity, with a Catholic community of just 10,000. Yet, their impact is profound,
running schools, orphanages, and hospitals that serve the wider community.
The bishop shares a harrowing tale from October 2018, when violence
erupted as he was blessing a chapel during its inaugural Mass. “A group of
about 50 men attacked the neighboring Orthodox church, killed the priest and
others, and then turned their violence toward us,” he recalled.
After six hours being held hostage, the congregation was released, only to
face another assault that night.
Bishop Anthony currently has two seminarians studying in Rome’s
Pontifical Urban College, which stands in the Janiculum Hill overlooking St.
Peter’s Basilica. They are there with the help of a scholarship from the Society
of St. Peter. This opportunity, he said, “is fundamental. Training in Rome offers
a global perspective that is invaluable for Ethiopian seminarians, who navigate
the complexities of a country with both Oriental and Latin rites. Ethiopia has
always been a proud, somewhat closed country. Opening horizons by knowing
other realities can be a positive experience.”
The tiny presence of the Church in Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous
country with 120 million people, might seem inconsequential, but Bishop
Pagano draws a parallel to the Gospel: “Jesus chose twelve apostles and
called them to be salt and light of the earth.” The Catholic Church’s witness in
Ethiopia, though numerically modest, leaves an indelible mark. “When I walk
the streets in my habit, people stop me to share how they were educated by
religious sisters or priests. Something remains, even if conversion is not always
possible.”

12
In a country where religious identity can be a source of conflict, Bishop
Anthony finds strength in visibility. “No, on the contrary,” he responds when
asked about the dangers of wearing his habit. “The beard is my passport, and
the religious habit the same.” This visible identity is a shield and a bridge in
Ethiopia’s diverse religious landscape.
As Ethiopia navigates the complexities of modernity and tradition, the
Catholic Church, through its mission of education and charity, serves as a
beacon of hope. Bishop Anthony’s vision for the Church is one of testimony—a
living example of the Gospel’s transformative power in one of the world’s
oldest Christian lands.

13
Society of St. Peter:
A Seminary as a Witness
to the Universality of
the Church
By Ines San Martin
Atop Rome’s Janiculum Hill, within the embrace of the Eternal City, the
Pontifical Urban College stands as a beacon of the Church’s mission, its gaze
set upon the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica. This seminary, a historic cradle of the
priesthood since 1627, is not just a witness to the universality of the Catholic
Church but an active participant in shaping its future.
Father Armando Nugnes, the rector, describes it as a door to the global Church,
“a strategic and fundamental work for the Dicastery for Evangelization,” that
oversees the four Pontifical Mission Societies.
Father Armando explains, “this seminary was one of the first significant
works of Propaganda Fidei, focusing on formation from the start.” Unlike
other institutions, the Urban College was established to educate missionaries
from the mission territories themselves. “We help young churches grow by
forming those who will, in turn, educate future priests and laypeople, aiding
the local church to mature and become self-sufficient.”

14
Currently, the seminary houses 166 seminarians from mission territories -
60 percent are from Africa, 40 percent from Asia, with a small representation
from Oceania and Latin America - undertaking their first cycle of theology or
licentiate degrees.
These seminarians are handpicked by their bishops for their scholarly
aptitude and missionary zeal. They are the future formators of local seminaries
and potential diocesan leaders.
The Urban College has given rise to other institutions, including the colleges
of St. Peter and St. Paul, which accommodate priests pursuing studies in Rome.
Bishops can request scholarships for seminarians up to the diaconate or for
already ordained priests. There is also the Mater Ecclesia College for religious
sisters, emphasizing the Dicastery’s priority to promote a female presence in
formation houses.
“The University emerged from the Urban College, and both are sustained
by the support of the Pontifical Mission Societies,” Father Armando states. The
scholarships cover university tuition, residence expenses, meals, and health
care, which can be significant due to the challenging hygienic conditions in
the seminarians’ home countries. “Each student represents an investment of
$13,000 a year,” he reveals. The dioceses are responsible for travel expenses and
pocket money for personal needs.
“We are careful not to foster an elite mentality but to offer a concrete experience
of the Church’s universality,” he emphasizes. The seminary’s multicultural
community speaks multiple languages and practices five different rites. “This

15
year’s 166 seminarians come from 120 dioceses across 35 nations, creating a
unique community that embodies the miracle of the Urban College.”
Seminarians from culturally diverse backgrounds, even from warring
nations, live as brothers in Rome. “Our formative program is multicultural,
and we educate future priests to be men of dialogue, a skill learned through
experience, not books,” Father Armando asserts. This experiential learning in
dialogue is crucial for their future peacemaking roles in their dioceses.
The sense of responsibility during World Mission Sunday (marked yearly
around the world on the second-to-last Sunday of October) in the seminarians’
dioceses is profound. “Christians in these territories don’t see World Mission
Sunday as a day to live off others but as a call to think of others,” Father
Armando reflects. This is especially true during the Missionary Childhood
Association Day, where children in each parish work to help others. “From
their youth, they are taught to share what little they have, embodying the spirit
of giving.”
Perched above the Vatican, the Pontifical Urban College not only overlooks
the physical heart of the Catholic Church but also represents a spiritual and
educational summit from which the future leaders of the Church in mission
territories are formed, ready to descend into the valleys of the world’s diverse
cultures, carrying with them the light of faith, education, and dialogue.

The Missionary Union of Priests
and Religious
A Missionary’s Habit:
Evangelizing at the Heart
of the Nordic Church
Iceland
In the affluent yet spiritually seeking
Nordic countries, Sister Anna Mirijam Norway
Kaschner, CPS, serves as a testament
to the vibrant mission field that thrives
beyond traditional borders. Born in
Finland
Germany to a Protestant family, Sister Denmark
Anna’s journey to the Catholic faith and
Sweden
religious life is a narrative of divine call
and unexpected paths.
“I was certain I wanted a family, to travel the world,” Sister Anna recalls.
“But the idea of religious life kept returning, especially when I encountered
nuns.” Her resolve to dismiss this calling led her to Zimbabwe with a program
aimed at providing missionary experience. “I thought it would rid me of these
thoughts,” she admits. Instead, it confirmed her vocation.
In Zimbabwe, Sister Anna realized that God’s presence was not a European
import but an enduring truth. “We were simply following his footprints,” she
says. Her search for an active congregation led her to the Missionary Sisters
of the Precious Blood, marking the beginning of her 22-year commitment to
God’s work.
Her mission took an unexpected turn when she was sent to Denmark, a
country rich in resources but a “mission country” in spiritual terms. “Some
70 percent are baptized in the Lutheran Church, with a 4 percent attendance.
Catholics are less than 1 percent, but we have a 20 percent Church attendance,”

17
she notes, highlighting the fertile
ground for evangelization.
Sister Anna’s ministry extends
beyond the church walls, engaging
with a population largely unfamiliar
with religious life. “People in
Denmark know little about faith,”
she shares. “They’re curious, often
asking if I’m married or have
children.” Her habit often sparks
conversations, opening doors to
discuss faith and life’s deeper questions.
The Catholic Church was the only Christian
church in the Nordic countries before the
Reformation in the 16th century. Since then,
Scandinavia has been mostly Lutheran
The Catholic population of the Nordic
countries has seen some growth in recent years,
particularly in Norway, due to immigration
The Nordic Bishops’ Conference brings together
the 8 bishops of Sweden, Norway, Finland,
Denmark, and Iceland
Living in a small community with sisters from Austria and Zimbabwe,
Sister Anna serves as the Secretary General of the Nordic Bishops Conference.
Their lives are a blend of prayer and work, embodying St. Benedict’s ethos of
balance. “Our daily activities are a mission,” she says. “Grocery shopping or
simply being present in public can lead to profound exchanges about life and
faith.”
Sister Anna firmly believes in the visibility of her vocation. “Wearing the
habit is essential. It’s a sign that invites people to approach, to inquire, and
often, to seek help,” she asserts. Her presence in the community
is a beacon of service and a bridge to understanding the Catholic
faith.
The missionary work in the Nordic countries is as
crucial as it is unique. “Consider coming to the Nordic
countries,” Sister Anna urges. “In Finland, Catholics
make up 0.2 percent of the population. The mission field is
vast, and the need for the Gospel is palpable.”
Through Sister Anna Mirijam Kaschner’s narrative, we see
the diverse faces of missionary work and the profound impact
of living one’s faith aloud. The Nordic countries, with their
small Catholic populations and vast spiritual hunger, remind
us that mission territories are not just geographical but are
found wherever hearts are seeking meaning.

18
Propagation of the Faith:
Restoring a person’s freedom,
one wheelchair at a time
By Ines San Martin
In the lush landscapes of
Cambodia, punctuated by
ancient temples and rice
fields, there exists a poignant
narrative of resilience, faith,
and transformation. At the
heart of this tale stands Jesuit
Enrique “Quique” Figaredo,
affectionately dubbed the
“Bishop of the Wheelchairs.”
Cambodia
There are only 75,000 Catholics in Cambodia
The Church operates various social and
educational programs
Catholicism faces challenges due to historical
upheavals, but focuses on reconciliation and
rebuilding efforts

19
His story is not just an account of missionary zeal, but a testament to the
profound difference that can be made when faith meets action, particularly
when that action is backed by benevolent organizations and the charitable
hearts of people worldwide.
Cambodia’s history is marked by
both enchantment and pain. The Khmer
Rouge era, spanning from 1975 to 1979,
saw Pol Pot’s brutal regime devastate
a rich cultural tapestry. Left in its wake
were emotional scars and the perilous
remnants of war: landmines that have
maimed countless unsuspecting souls.
It was against this backdrop that
Bishop Enrique began his missionary
odyssey.
“In 1985, I was assigned to work with
the Cambodian refugees on the border
with Thailand,” he shared, recalling
the vivid memories of his time helping
personal-mine victims. “I became deeply
involved in the lives of the people... and
so many things made me fall in love
with them.”
Moved by the spirit of service and an undeniable connection with the
people, Bishop Enrique was propelled deeper into Cambodia’s heart after
finalizing his theological studies in Spain between 1988 and 1992, when he was
ordained a priest. This deeper dive was not a solitary endeavor: on the year of
his ordination – the Jesuits opened a mission in Cambodia, and efforts to bring
wheelchairs to those living in the heart of the country garnered the support of
the American Friends Service Committee Organizations.
Speaking of his transformative work, Bishop Enrique highlighted the
wheelchair project. “We have workshops run by people with disabilities,” he
stated, recounting how collaboration with Motivation International in 1994
gave birth to a wooden wheelchair that became a beacon of hope for many.

20
“This wheelchair took me to many parts of the country. It transforms the
lives of people who move from a dim life, locked in their homes, to being able
to study, leave their homes, have a social life,” he said. “But it also transforms
the life of the giver.”
“One person once told me that the wheelchair we give is a sacrament,
because it transforms people’s lives,” he said. “It is a visible sign of a visible
relationship.”
In 1998, when the ongoing remnants of the violence ended, the Vatican’s
Dicastery for Evangelization, known for centuries as Propaganda Fidei, which
oversees The Pontifical Mission Societies, “was looking for a bishop for the
area where I was, and appointed me as Apostolic Prefect. For me it was a huge
change, because I was very involved in social work, the integration of the
disabled into civil society, and doing outreach … as we so often say now, I was
used to a Church that goes out to meet people where they are.”
But the prelate was quick to adapt, and under his leadership, and with
constant support from the universal Church, since that in Cambodia is too poor
to be self-reliant, the faith has grown exponentially. When he was appointed
Apostolic Prefect, his territory had 15 communities, and now there are 31, with
30 new churches built in three decades due to the support of the Society for the
Propagation of the Faith, one of four pontifical societies. The growth, he said,
is an example of what can be achieved when missionaries are equipped with
the right resources and the relentless prayers of the global Catholic community.
Today, he still oversees the wheelchair project with a workshop on the side
of his church. It employs 18 people, all of whom are amputees from personal
landmines, and together, they build an average of 100 chairs a day. During the
past three decades, they have given some 30,000 chairs away.
The workshop is primarily self-sustainable thanks to Red Cross International
and Handicapped International, which buy 30 percent of the production so
Bishop Enrique can give the others for free since the beneficiaries cannot cover
the production costs, estimated at $150. “We would like to continue growing
because there is a great need still, in Cambodia and so many other places
marred by violence, war, and tragedy, but to do that, we would need more
capital.”

21
Bishop Enrique’s philosophy is straightforward and profound: Convey
Christ’s message through charity. “Accompanying them, being seen as close
and caring, attracts,” he asserts. And it’s evident that his approach has borne
fruit, with many drawn towards the faith.
Integral to Bishop Enrique’s persona is his unique pectoral cross, handcrafted
in silver by one of the welders in the wheelchairs workshop. It symbolizes his
mission and the enduring spirit of the Cambodian people.
“My cross is a mutilated Christ. It represents that Jesus suffers in solidarity
with disabled people, but it also tells us that disabled people also suffer with
the Lord, completing the salvation of the world,” he said. “And it also speaks
to us of the mystical body of Christ, incomplete due to lack of understanding,
wars, and not having known the love of the Lord. Our mission is to complete
it, with love, understanding, solidarity.”

22
The Missionary Union of Priests
and Religious:
A peace chaplain
By Ines San Martin
It’s striking how often
monumental life decisions
arise from seemingly chance
events. For Father Olivier
Poquillion, his journey into the
Dominican order began with a
teenage rebellious streak that
landed him summer camp, old
sailboats, and an encounter with
a Dominican priest who taught
him about teamwork, resilience,
and spreading the Gospel by
attraction, not proselytism.
Iraq
The first Catholic missionaries arrived in Iraq
in the 17th century
Pope Francis made the first ever papal visit to
Iraq in 2021
The Catholic Church in Iraq has been
facing persecution and violence since the
US-led invasion in 2003, which has led to a
significant decline in the Christian population
During his priestly life, he has been a chaplain of the military, the police, the
Scouts, the elderly, the sick, to the poor, and to those who are serving the poor:
“Always preaching the Gospel, but always in different ways, engaging others
not as a master but as a friend who talks to his friend.”
The Dominicans first set foot in Mesopotamia in 1750 when Mongol
Buddhism was the dominant religion. The friars and sisters—integral to the
order—established a church, schools, and a hospital. Recognizing a lack of faith
materials in the local language, they set up the region’s first printing house.
“They weren’t importing the truth but revealing it from within,” Father Olivier
remarked during a month-long visit to Rome. “Mission is not about bringing
truth from outside. We are called to recognize something of God in the local
culture and highlight that as a bridge.”

Having once served in the French military and briefly pursued a law career,
Father Olivier found material wealth but little fulfillment. Reflecting on life’s
impermanence, he mused, “We will all face our mortality, and the pressing
question will be, ‘What have you done for and with your brother?’” This
profound introspection steered him towards missionary work.
Although he hails from a family of diplomats and judges and anticipated
a life locked in a monastery upon joining the Dominican Order, God had
other plans. He spent years as the General Secretary of the Commission of
the Bishops’ Conferences of the EU (COMECE), living at airports, shuttling
between meetings, and swapping suitcases during layovers.
In Iraq, Father Olivier’s tenure extended beyond mere religious instruction.
He initially resided there from 2003-2005, shortly after the U.S. invasion.
Despite facing threats, Christian communities remained integral to the bustling
life in Mosul. By 2019, when he was again sent to Mosul following the rise and
fall of the Islamic States (ISIS), the Christian demographic and the landscape
drastically shifted, leading to extensive displacement.
Father Olivier played a pivotal role in restoring the Dominican convent of
Notre-Dame de l’Heure, which ISIS heavily damaged, as part of UNESCO’s
“Reviving the Spirit of Mosul” program.
In March of 2021, Pope Francis made history by becoming the first Pope to
visit the land of Abraham, as a sign of solidarity to those who remained. The
four-day trip included stops in five cities: Baghdad, Najaf, Mosul, Qaraqosh
and Erbil.
“Fraternity is more durable than fratricide, hope is more powerful than
hate, peace more powerful than war,” the Pontiff said surrounded by both
23

24
civil and religious leaders in
Mosul, the administrative capital
of Nineveh. For the past 2,500
years, the city has represented
the pluralistic identity of Iraq.
The rise of ISIS, and the war that
followed, caused vast damage to
the city’s skyline, destroying landmarks such as the Al-Hadba minaret of the
Al-Nouri Mosque and the clock tower of the Notre-Dame de l’Heure convent,
the first of its kind in the Middle East.
During his visit, Pope Francis defined the damaged structures as reminders
of the “perennial human desire for closeness” to God. The clock, he added,
“for more than a century has reminded passersby that life is short, and time is
precious.”
Amidst the remnants of a city devastated by conflict, Pope Francis’s
interactions were emblematic of the broader mission’s ethos. When he stopped
to bless a local family, their subsequent conversation with Father Olivier
revealed the universality of spiritual connections. Though they couldn’t
identify the Pontiff nor that he is the Successor of Peter, they intuitively felt he
was “a man of God who came and visited us.”
This encapsulates the essence of missionary work. It’s not about the
projection of one’s beliefs onto others but the connections forged in shared
humanity and faith. Father Olivier’s insight for budding missionaries mirrors
this sentiment: “Go, but bring a light suitcase, and begin by watching what is
there: what matters, is not what you bring but what you discover because if
you pay attention, you will see the face of God.”
Father Olivier’s journey, set against the backdrop of the papal visit,
exemplifies faith’s transformative power in adversity. His commitment,
mirrored by countless global missionaries, emphasizes the Gospel’s
significance, prompting us to question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Father Olivier affirms that we are called to be. “We’re all aboard the same
boat, as members of Holy People of God. My mission began as a Scout and
evolved into serving as a Scout chaplain. We’re entrusted with the dual duty
of loving God, which is straightforward, and our neighbors—a far more
challenging endeavor.”

25
Propagation of the Faith:
A tiny Church with
a big heart welcomes
Pope Francis
By Ines San Martin
In the heart of Asia, where
the vast steppes meet the sky,
the Catholic Church has found
a humble abode in Mongolia, a
land known for its rich history
and nomadic culture. The young
Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, the
Apostolic Prefect of Ulaanbaatar,
has been nurturing the seeds
of faith in this distant land,
becoming a bridge between the
Vatican and Asia.
Mongolia
The first Catholic missionaries arrived in
Mongolia in 1992
There are 1,500 Catholics in Mongolia,
representing 0.04% of the country’s
population
Pope Francis made the first papal visit to
Mongolia in 2023
In a candid conversation, Cardinal Giorgio shares his journey of faith and the
burgeoning Catholic community in Mongolia.

Photo credit: Nancy Wiechec/CNS
26
Upon inquiring about his choice of missionary priesthood over diocesan,
Cardinal Giorgio reflected, “During the discernment of my vocation, the
consecration of religious life played a particular role. From the moment I felt
the Lord called me to work for Him, I felt a call to religious vocation, which led
me to the Institute of the Consolata Missionaries.”
When asked if a particular country was on his mind, the cardinal reminisced,
“Initially, no, just a desire to answer this call of giving my life to the Lord.
Gradually, my heart was calling me toward Asia. However, having a vow
of obedience, it wasn’t up to me. But my ordination almost paralleled our
institute’s decision to go to Mongolia for the first time. We were two priests
and three religious sisters.”
Language, an essential tool for evangelization, posed a challenge in Mongolia.
“Yes, even for us Latinos it requires a lot of effort, it’s a challenge to learn
Mongolian, which has roots or similarities with Korean, Japanese, Turkish,
Hungarian,” Cardinal Giorgio noted. On evangelizing without mastering the
language initially, he said, “One learns firsthand that the mission, more than
doing, is being there, in a certain place at a certain time, and the Lord utilizes
this.”

27
Cardinal Giorgio’s admiration for Mongolia is palpable. “Mongolia itself! It’s
a country with a rich history, which three or four centuries ago closed in on
itself. It’s a nation that expanded immensely, creating the largest continuous
territorial empire in history. They conquered many without ever being
conquered, instilling enormous national pride. They have maintained their
identity despite being sandwiched between two great civilizations, the Russo-
European and Chinese. This makes them unique, with a marked cultural and
religious tradition rooted in Shamanism and Tibetan Buddhism. The nomadic
way of life is also clearly visible as a deeply ingrained cultural category.”
Following the fall of the Soviet Union, Mongolia transitioned away from its
Soviet-allied communist government and religious freedom was enshrined
in its constitution. This transition allowed the Catholic Church to establish a
sanctioned presence in Mongolia starting in 1992. The early 1990s marked the
arrival of the first Catholic missionaries in the country, setting the foundation
for what would become one of the world’s smallest Catholic communities. As
of now, there are around 1,300 to 1,500 Catholics in Mongolia, a testament to
the enduring efforts of those early missionaries and the continuing work of
individuals like Cardinal Giorgio​.
In addition to the religious mission, the diplomatic relationship between
the Holy See and Mongolia has been growing. The visit of Pope Francis to
Mongolia is indicative of the Vatican’s interest in fostering not only religious
but also diplomatic relations in the region, especially given Mongolia’s
strategic location between Russia and China, with whom the Holy See has
had historically complex relationships. This diplomatic endeavor is part
of a broader effort to enhance the Vatican’s engagement in the geopolitical
landscape of East Asia, amidst the challenges and opportunities presented by
the region’s diverse religious and political contexts​.
The Catholic Church in Mongolia, though small, is blooming under the
nurturing care of the Apostolic Prefecture. “It’s a very small church, needing
to root well, aiming to form individuals who make this choice of faith, and
prepare them to live the reality as Christians. Our communities greatly value
the Neocatechumenal Way, but also the introduction to Christian life,” shared
Cardinal Giorgio.

28
The growing Catholic community in Mongolia is distributed across eight
parishes and a chapel, representing about 0.04% of the country’s population.
This growth from no registered Catholics in 1992, showcases the Church’s
burgeoning presence in Mongolia over 30 years. The ecclesiastical structure
includes one bishop, 25 priests, and 35 catechists, dedicated to nurturing the
faith among the Mongolian Catholics.
Cardinal Giorgio believes the historic visit of Pope Francis to Mongolia was
a cornerstone in affirming the Catholic presence: “It was fundamental. If I put
myself in the place of a Mongol who has converted to Christianity, knowing
I am an absolute minority, knowing that our religious leader came to visit us,
spoke with our political leaders, and appreciated our cultural and historical
roots, it helps immensely for the Catholic Church to be seen as a beautiful,
noble, and worthy reality. For our local Catholics, it’s an enormous boost. The
fact that he entered a ger (traditional Mongolian tent) is highly significant. We
can always talk about this, reminding them that the Pope knows we exist. It also
reinforced diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Mongolia that have
existed for 30 years but still need to find concrete situations of collaboration.”
As for those considering the missionary path, Cardinal Giorgio’s advice was
heartfelt: “Firstly, witnessing faith joyfully where we live is very important, a
great contribution to the mission of the church. And we are always happy to
welcome whoever wants to come with their own gifts, sacrifices, and active
participation!”
Cardinal Giorgio’s journey, along with the small but vibrant Catholic
community in Mongolia, exemplifies a living testament to the Gospel’s farreaching
embrace, even in the far-flung steppes of Mongolia, under the
watchful eyes of the youngest member of the College of Cardinals.

29
From the Dioceses:
Aqua est vita
By Ines San Martin*
Ghana
Father Paul Kala was born
in Ghana, but in 2010, he was
ordained a priest in the Diocese
of Springfield, IL. He went back
to his country of birth to celebrate
a thanksgiving Mass with his
relatives and friends, when his
life, and vocation, were forever
changed.
An estimated 10 percent of Ghana’s 33
million citizens are Catholic
Ghana has the second-largest economy in
West Africa
Despite strides in poverty reduction, stark
inequalities persist, with many living on less
than $1 a day
“I encountered a lady who, I estimate, was in her late 80s, sitting for a little
boy who had no shoes nor clothing beyond his underwear,” Father Paul said.
“With only a handful of hairs on his head, tiny arms and legs, and a distorted
stomach due to malnutrition, he was trying to quelch his hunger by sucking
on the clay of a termite mound. Can you imagine, being so hungry as a young
boy that you have to eat termites and clay?”
Seeing this, Father Pat knew his life would never be the same.
“I asked God to lead my path: How could I, as a Christian, as a priest, help
change the world? Was there anything I could do to help solve the world’s
perennial problem of hunger, both spiritual and physical? Thus, my missionary
journey began,” Father Pat said.
* Interview facilitated by Donna Moore, from the Mission Office of Springfield, IL, in preparation for
the #iGiveCatholic campaign. Thirteen diocesan Mission Office took part in this year’s #GivingTuesday
campaign, with thousands of generous Catholics in the United States donating to #PenniesForPauline,
a sure way to help the legacy of Blessed Pauline Jaricot live on. Donations to this and other campaigns,
such as the World Mission Sunday Collection or this publication, empower thousands of religious women
and men, as well as priests, catechists, and mission animators who work tirelessly to bring Christ’s love to
corners of the world where He’s been doubted or ignored.

30
Ghana has some 33 million people, an estimated 10 percent of whom are
Catholics. In 2018, Ghana was among the 10 fastest-growing economies in the
world and is currently the second-largest economy in West Africa. But even
though the country has made tremendous progress in reducing poverty in
recent decades, its success has been uneven, and significant inequalities still
exist. A majority of the population in the northern region lives on less than $1 a
day - with the poverty line set back in 2011 at $1.90 a day.
Hence, the need for missionary priests such as Father Pat, whom, with
the permission of Springfield’s Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, has been
ministering in Ghana after joining the Society of St. Therese of the Little
Flower, also known as the Theresian
Fathers, six years ago. Their charism
is the evangelization and education
of the marginalized in sub-Saharan
Africa.
“A typical day for me begins with
the celebration of the Holy Mass,”
said Father Pat. “After, depending
on the season, I either visit families
on their farms during the rainy
months of May to October or engage
with those at home during the dry
spell from November to April.”
He painted a vivid picture of his routine at the St. Therese Youth Development
and Educational Center (STYDEC) in the village of Kaluri. “We welcome
around 120 children daily, providing them with meals, clean water, and
education. We also offer religious classes and end the day in prayer.”
STYDEC, established on October 19, 2013, through funds from St. Paul
Church in Highland, Illinois, has a dual mission. “We aim to feed both the
body and the soul,” he explained. “Education is a way to teach children how to
‘fish’ for themselves in Ghana, breaking the cycle of poverty.”
Yet, Father Pat’s mission isn’t without challenges. “Clean drinking
water remains elusive for many,” he laments, contrasting his experience in
Springfield, Illinois, with his current reality. “Waterborne diseases like guinea

31
worm, typhoid, and cholera are rampant. Thankfully, with support, we’ve
drilled 11 wells in the past three years.”
The cultural landscape presents its own set of trials. “In northern Ghana, girls
are often married off young, usually to older men,” says Father Pat. “What’s
harrowing is when victims see this practice as ‘normal.’ But there have been
rays of hope, like our first female STYDEC graduate in 2021, now an English
teacher and mentor.”
Father Pat serves under the Missionaries of St. Therese, with two communities
in northern Ghana’s Diocese of Wa. “Our Ave Maria Formation House chapel
in Wa was built for 100, but we now see over 400 attendees,” he says, noting the
remarkable growth in faith.
Acknowledging the vital role of supporters, Father Pat expresses gratitude:
“Our work would be impossible without many friends and benefactors,
including Bishop Paprocki and the Diocese of Springfield. Our current priority
is to provide clean water, costing $8,000 for a borehole. Additionally, turning
STYDEC into a full-fledged Catholic school is on the horizon, with an estimated
renovation cost of $150,000 for a 500-student capacity.”

32
Dr. Mike Gable, Mission Office Director, Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, with college students in the diocese of Goaso,
Ghana… after a wonderful, joyful Mass where 6 young
men and women were confirmed by Bishop Peter.
From the Dioceses:
It All Started with
Mission Friendships
By Dr. Mike Gable*
When my wife Kathy, I, and our four boys returned to Cincinnati after our
Maryknoll lay mission assignment in South America, we were blessed to meet
Fr. Paul Reling. He had recently returned from Ghana, West Africa, as a spiritual
counselor at a seminary there. Fr. Paul invited me and other parishioners to
meet his friends in Ghana. It was a simple invitation that would lead to more
trips and friendships with Ghanaians also living in Cincinnati.
Sadly, Fr. Paul died of cancer, but we were determined to keep these
relationships alive and so invited local African American Catholics to join us
* Mission Office Director, Archdiocese of Cincinnati

33
on our trips. I believe it was through
Fr. Paul’s intercession these past
dozen years that we have now made
five more excursions to the diocese
of Goaso. In the process, many more
nurturing spirit-filled friendships
have blossomed.
During our most recent visit
this September 2023, we were
overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit’s joy:
we danced at a Catholic girls’ high
school celebration, participated in a
huge outdoor ordination Mass, took
part in a village leaders’ induction
ceremony of our Deacon Royce
Four Ordinations of new priests for the diocese of
Goaso. Nearly 4,000 parishioners on hand! The
young man to be ordained is flanked by his parents
in their formal Ghanaian dress.
Winters, attended Mass with some amazing seminarians, attended a JOY-
FILLED Confirmation service with college students, and much more. Our
hearts and souls were on fire with enthusiasm, thanks to the Spirit alive in our
Ghanaian fellow Catholics.
Our Cincinnati Mission Office Administrative Assistant, Melonise Knight,
who has been on three previous solidarity journeys to Ghana, shares this
reflection about the impact TPMS has on this mission diocese of Goaso.
“My reflection is about the constant financial challenges the people of
Diocese of Goaso must face. Yet they are determined to bring good out of it.
While traveling with Bishop Peter Atuahene, I learned more details about their
church and community projects that have been started and still need to be
completed. I also became aware that they receive smaller amounts of financial
help, since World Mission Sunday collections are down everywhere. Their
diocese is down from receiving in the mid $30k to the lower $20k annually.
As I look at this photo below, I have
heartfelt memories about where and
when our friendships all began about
a decade ago. Bishop Peter walked us
through the grass and mud/dirt to see

34
the place where a seminary would be built. All you could see was a large plot
of red dirt that had been dug by hand for the foundation. I was looking around
because I just had to have a rock from this location for memories. And yes, I
found my rock and it sits on my shelf for reminders of the once empty field.
But for me to see how far this building has come, is simply amazing, even
if what seems like a small contribution from our Mission Office and TPMS
support.”
Thank you, Fr. Paul for your past promotion of TPMS and your mission
spirit that continues in us today.
Our Cincinnati Deacon,
Royce Winters, being
inducted into a local village
leadership council in the
Goaso diocese.
Bishop Peter Atuhene of Goaso, Ghana
diocese, with two new sisters from India,
who are about to open a new clinic, which is
directly behind them. Thank you TPMS!

35
The Fulton Sheen
Legacy Society
By Father Anthony Andreassi*
While it has been more than fifty years since Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
was National Director of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith in the
United States, his legacy still looms large as we continue to support the work
of the Church in the missions so that Christ may truly become known to all
the peoples of the earth. For the sixteen years (1950-1966) that Sheen held this
role, he spoke and traveled tirelessly and extensively to promote the work, but
amazingly he did not limit himself only to this cause but also continued to
lecture widely on a wide variety of topics, as well as to function pastorally and
sacramentally at a dizzying pace.
To understand the apostolic zeal and indefatigable energy that propelled
him as priest, bishop, writer, and advocate for the missions, it would be helpful
to understand better Fulton Sheen the man. With this as our aim, let us first
explore his childhood, family, and the early influences that came to shape him.
Born on May 8, 1895, to Newton (Newt) Sheen and Delia Fulton in the
apartment above their hardware store in the small town of El Paso, Illinois (40
miles east of Peoria), the couple’s first of four sons was baptized Peter. Sadly,
the Sheen hardware store and many other nearby businesses were all burned
down by an accidental fire that spread quickly. After moving for a time to a
farm Newt inherited from his father, when Peter was five and a half the family
settled in Peoria so that Peter could attend St. Mary’s parochial school. It was
at the time of his enrollment here that he began using Fulton (his mother’s
maiden name) instead of Peter as his first name.
Once settled into their new home, the Sheen family continued to expand with
the last of Fulton’s brothers born in 1908. Newt and Delia raised their sons in
* National Secretary of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith

36
a devoutly Catholic home: sacred
images decorated the walls, and
the family prayed the rosary
daily. Always greatly devoted to
the Blessed Virgin Mary, Sheen
credits much of this to his mother
who after his baptism placed him
on a Marian altar consecrating her
infant son to the Mother of God.
At the age of eight, Sheen
began serving Mass at St. Mary’s
Cathedral where his family
worshipped each Sunday. Despite
his tender age, the young Fulton
was often assigned to assist
Bishop John Lancaster Spalding,
the founding bishop of the
Diocese of Peoria, who was also one of the most significant prelates in late
nineteenth and early twentieth- century American Catholicism. Spalding once
shared two startling predictions with the small boy: first, the bishop said he
would one day study at Louvain in Belgium as he himself did; and second,
Sheen would also one day become a bishop. We now know he was right on
both accounts.
In 1909, after being confirmed as John at St. Mary’s, Fulton Sheen progressed
to Spalding Institute, a high school run by the Brothers of Mary and named
after the bishop’s brother. Known for his neat attire and academic prowess,
Fulton stayed with an uncle during school terms after his family moved to a
farm outside Peoria. There, the Sheens endured basic living without electricity
or plumbing. Although Fulton was a compliant son, he later confessed his
aversion to farm life, humorously noting that his seminary pursuit was partly
to avoid such a future. Like Fulton, his brothers also eschewed farming, much
to their father’s disappointment.
Fulton Sheen graduated as valedictorian from a class of seven in 1913, with
his commencement speech still remembered by a classmate four decades later.
He pursued higher education at St. Viator’s College in Bourbonnais, Illinois,

a Viatorian Fathers-founded institution since 1868 that catered to boys from
age 12 and included high school to seminary levels. Initially critiqued for poor
public speaking, Sheen honed his oratory and debate skills with rigorous
practice and priestly guidance, becoming a masterful speaker by his 1917
graduation. He also engaged in drama and writing, contributing articles to the
campus magazine. These activities laid the groundwork for his eventual rise
to national prominence. Throughout college, he spent summers working on
the family farm, but his path led elsewhere. In September 1917, at twenty-two,
Sheen began his seminary studies for the Diocese of Peoria at St. Paul Seminary
in Minnesota.
In the next part of this series, we will look at Sheen’s seminary training, ordination,
and graduate studies in Europe.
37

38
Like many of our donors today, Venerable Fulton Sheen’s
commitment to the missions sprung from a sincere passion for helping
the world’s poor.
As National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies from 1950
to 1966, he raised more money for the poor than any other American
Catholic. This effort includes the donation of more than $10 million of
his personal earnings.
Today, the Venerable Fulton Sheen Legacy Society is comprised of
individuals who, like Fulton Sheen, share a passion for the missions,
a love for our Catholic faith, and a commitment to ensuring that
missionaries around the world are supported in their efforts to
proclaim the Gospel and provide food, education, and medical care to
vulnerable communities.
By supporting The Pontifical Mission Societies through your estate,
as a beneficiary of your retirement fund, or through a life income gift,
you become a valued honoree of his Legacy Society.
In today’s world, gifts like Fulton Sheen’s are indeed rare. But you,
too, can create a legacy of faith and hope by joining this special family
of supporters. Simply notify The Pontifical Mission Societies that you
have included us in your estate planning.
If you have already made a provision for The Pontifical Mission
Societies or the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in your estate
plan, we thank you! Please contact us and share your commitment so
we may welcome you as a member and express our gratitude for your
generosity.

39
Editor’s Note:
Being beacons of hope
Dear Reader,
As we close the pages of this winter edition of MISSION Magazine, I want to
begin by expressing our deepest gratitude for your generosity. Your steadfast
support for the Pope’s Missions, and for this humble publication that shares
the stories of modern-day heroes, extends a tangible embrace to the women
and men dedicated to spreading the Gospel where Christ is yet to be known,
has been forgotten, is shunned, or is actively persecuted.
In planning this issue, we deliberated over which stories to tell. The news
often leaves our hearts torn, or, worse, desensitized to the suffering that
surrounds us: war, violence, famine, devastating hurricanes, and earthquakes
around the globe.
Pope Francis poignantly notes, “How many tears are shed every second in
our world; each is different, but together they form, as it were, an ocean of
desolation that cries out for mercy, compassion, and consolation.”
So, as we reach your homes and parishes with the advent of the New Year,
we choose not to dwell on the tragedies. Instead, we wanted to share stories
brimming with mercy, compassion and consolation, exemplifying the Church’s
impact with the support of those like you—who pray daily for the Missions and
give generously. These accounts are mere glimpses of the good that missionary
women and men accomplish worldwide, often at great personal risk, to help
others encounter Christ.
They are the ones rebuilding communities deafened by bombs.
They are the ones nurturing children in orphanages, even when funds for
necessities like milk run dry.
They are the ones who, after being held hostage in a church by terrorists, find
their vocation to the priesthood reaffirmed.
They are the ones restoring monasteries, holding fast to the certainty that
God’s presence in the tabernacle is a living reality, not merely a tradition.

40
And you, dear reader, are the one who makes the miracle of the multiplication
of the fishes and loaves possible anew.
Ines San Martin
PS: If you would like to subscribe your parish to MISSION Magazine, we
ask for a small contribution of $2 per copy per issue. This means that, for 50
copies of the four yearly issues, the suggested contribution from your parish
would be $400. For more information or to subscribe, please reach out to
contact@missio.org.
PPS: I had the opportunity to hand the World Mission Sunday issue of
MISSION Magazine to Pope Francis during October’s Assembly of the Synod
of Bishops. He told me to “keep up the good work,” but using the plural
subject in Spanish. I took it to mean he was speaking not to me, but to the entire
Mission network, including YOU!

41
In support of those spreading the Gospel…
The money needed to support those serving in the Pope’s missions comes
from loving Catholics like you.
Won’t you send whatever contribution you can in the enclosed envelope
today so that the priests, religious and lay pastoral leaders in the
missions may not only survive, but thrive, in their ministry?
Dear Monsignor Kieran,
Enclosed is my gift of:
Thank you for supporting our missionaries.
Please be assured of my prayers for you and your family.
Monsignor Kieran
$250 $100 $75 $50 $25 Other $_____
$700 (one year’s help, mission seminarian)
$300 (one year’s help, Religious novice)
$5,000 $2,500 $1,000 $500 Other $____
I want to be a monthly donor to the Missions!
I would like information on a Gift Annuity.
Please contact me about remembering The Society for the Propagation
of the Faith in my Will.
Name
email
Address
City State Zip
Send your gift, in your MISSION envelope, to:
Monsignor Kieran Harrington
Society for the Propagation of the Faith
70 West 36th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10018
Your diocese will be credited with your gift;
your gift is tax deductible.

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